A mother utilizing the CHOOSE Act (Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act of 2024) is urging others to do the same after seeing the firsthand impact the new program is already having on her children’s education.
Although Breauna McDade of Montgomery became content with the quality of teaching provided in their local system, she says expects her children to attend a school that reinforces the values they are taught at home.
“Do it,” she said. “Use it. It’s only paperwork. The hardest part is the five-minute application. Give your children the advantage we did not have growing up.”
Upon being approved for the program, McDade enrolled her son, KaMarrion, at Valiant Cross Academy, where her oldest, KaMerrin, already attends thanks to the Alabama Accountability Act.
Governor Kay Ivey was thrilled with the McDade’s use of the education savings account (ESA).
“The CHOOSE Act is supporting thousands of Alabama families across our state, families like the McDades,” said Ivey.
“KaMarrion’s mom shared that she had the goal to send all of her boys to Valiant Cross to receive a quality education and to grow as young men, and the CHOOSE Act is helping her do just that. I am proud to see this Alabama mom and her boys receive the education they desire!”
RELATED: CHOOSE Act approves nearly 24,000 students, most already in private or home schools
The CHOOSE Act makes refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts available to support eligible K-12 students in Alabama. An ESA can be used to pay for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at approved Education Service Providers (ESPs) in Alabama.
Signed by Ivey in March 2024, just launched for the 2025–26 school year and set to expand to all students by 2027–28, the program drew over 22,000 applications in its first cycle, approving more than 23,000 students and distributing $124 million in ESA funding.
Since CHOOSE Act applications opened in January 2025, students in every county throughout the state have applied, totaling 36,873 students.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR), which administers the program, students from every grade level applied for funding this year, with over 23,000 students receiving approval.
This equates to over $124 million in ESAs supporting school choice for Alabama families and students.
For information, visit www.chooseact.alabama.gov, which has program information such as a Parent Guide, a Program FAQ and a list of approved education service providers. The application process for the 2026-2027 academic year will begin in January 2026.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
