Tom Greene is the National Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action. In this role, he manages the organization’s advocacy team and works with leaders and lawmakers from across the states to promote student-centered solutions.
Last night in her State of the State Address, Gov. Kay Ivey announced enacting an education scholarship account (ESA) program for K-12 Alabama students as her top legislative priority this year. Sen. Arthur Orr and Rep. Danny Garrett filed the Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act bill yesterday with Gov. Ivey’s full support.
The CHOOSE program would provide low-income families with flexible-use scholarships for their children to attend a private school, an out-of-district public school or to customize a homeschool experience. By its third year, the program would become universal to all families in the state.
“Under Gov. Ivey’s leadership, Alabama is joining a growing movement toward parental choice and empowerment that has swept the nation since the pandemic and continues to garner momentum this year,” said Patricia Levesque, executive director of ExcelinEd in Action. “Gov. Ivey’s proposal will foster an innovative educational landscape, and we look forward to lawmakers working together to bring it to fruition.”
Learn more about this proposal below and be sure to sign up to receive our weekly state actions updates to stay abreast of how this bill progresses through the legislature.
CHOOSE Act Program – Student Eligibility
In the program’s first two years, families with household income at 300% of the federal poverty level or below (up to $93,600 for a family of four) would be eligible to participate. Starting in year three, all students would be eligible to receive a scholarship.
There will be 500 slots reserved for students with Individualized Education Plans. If more students apply than there are eligible funds, preference would be given to current scholarship students and siblings of current students.
CHOOSE Act Program – Student Funding
Participating students would receive $7,000 if they choose to use their funds to pay for private school tuition. Home education families would receive $2,000 per participating student, with a maximum of $4,000 per household. Families may use scholarship funds on qualifying educational expenses, such as tuition, textbooks, instructional materials, after school programs, summer education and more.
The legislation would provide at least $100 million for the ESA program beginning in fiscal year 2025. The Governor already has set aside $50 million for the fund in the Fiscal Year 2024 Education Trust Fund supplemental.
Other CHOOSE Act Program Requirements
Private schools must be accredited or in the process of accreditation.
Private schools may choose a norm-referenced test or an assessment aligned to the curriculum their school is using.
Public schools may receive ESA funds if they choose to accept students from another district.
