Many conservative organizations and activists are showing their excitement as Alabama’s new school choice program is already seeing thousands of families sign up.
Governor Kay Ivey announced Thursday that parents can now apply to have their child or children entered into the state’s first-ever education savings account program, established by the CHOOSE Act passed in 2024.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, more than 2,800 applications had been submitted for 4,800 children on the first day.
“Alabama families can start the new year with a great opportunity for school choice in their communities,” Ivey said. “The CHOOSE Act will help our Alabama students receive the highest-quality education possible by giving greater flexibility to families to pursue educational options that meet their individual needs. It is a wonderful opportunity to make the future of Alabama stronger than ever.”
🎉: Alabama families can start the new year with a great opportunity for school choice in their communities!
Applications for the CHOOSE Act — the new Education Savings Account program — are officially open! #alpoliticshttps://t.co/j8SC7VQQH2
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) January 2, 2025
The Alabama Policy Institute thanked the governor and told parents to “exercise your parental rights” and apply for the ESAs.
Thank you, @GovernorKayIvey! https://t.co/pBVsPKCIvE
— Alabama Policy Institute (@alabamapolicy) January 2, 2025
Americans for Prosperity-Alabama (AFP-AL) also lauded the early opening and earlier success of the program.
“Americans for Prosperity is proud to have led extensive efforts to pass the CHOOSE Act. The overwhelming response to the ESA program, with thousands of applications submitted on opening day, shows that this is the education reform Alabamians have been waiting for,” AFP-AL State Director Adam Thompson said. “Every child in Alabama deserves access to a quality education that meets their individual needs, and this program is a monumental leap in the right direction. At AFP-AL, we remain committed to continuing our work with Alabamians and lawmakers to expand education freedom across the state and we’re thrilled to see so many families sign up to take advantage of this great opportunity.”
If found eligible to be admitted into the program, families can receive a $7,000 ESA to enter their student into a private or public school at the beginning of the next academic year. Those homeschooled will be up for a $2,000 ESA with a limit of $4,000 for each family. An ESA can be used to pay for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers across the state.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
