Two Alabama charter school organizations have been awarded a combined $45 million in federal grants, a significant boost for the state’s growing charter school sector and what supporters say is a new wave of educational opportunities for students and families. The Alabama Public Charter School Commission will receive $30 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter School State Entities Program, one of just six states nationwide to win such funding. The five-year award includes $27 million earmarked for subgrants to 23 charter schools. The two grants are part of $500 million released last week through six separate federal programs aimed at expanding and supporting charter schools across the country. “It gives us the chance to expand high-quality charter schools and empower educators to bring forward educational models that spark learning and inspire excellence.