Recent headlines have claimed that Alabama’s CHOOSE Act mainly subsidizes private education for wealthy kids. This idea might grab attention, but it doesn’t match the reality of how this new education savings account (ESA) program actually works.
Families who access an ESA through the CHOOSE Act are able to spend up to $7000 on educational options of their choosing. Common expenditures include private school tuition, tutoring services, or online courses. Homeschool families that meet the eligibility criteria are entitled to receive up to $2000 per child for education-related expenses.
The CHOOSE Act was created to help Alabama families who need more options for their children’s education. The first 500 students who get these ESAs are those with special education needs. This ensures kids who need extra support get it right away.
Next, the program helps military families. These families often move around a lot, and their children can struggle to find schools that meet their needs. Prioritizing military families means these children can settle into schools that fit them best. In the program’s first year, almost 5000 families with students with special needs and 124 military families are seeking to participate.
After students with special needs and military families, the rest of the ESAs go to families based on income. Lower-income families are first in line. Even if wealthier families applied, the money goes to those who need it most.
Some critics claim that many applicants already attend private schools, which may imply that these families do not need assistance. However, not every family that applies for the ESA is guaranteed funding. Instead, it shows demand for educational choices among Alabama families, many of whom might be stretching their budgets to afford private education today.
The program’s initial funding supports about 14,000 students statewide. That might sound like a lot, but compared to Alabama’s nearly 750,000 public school students, it’s a small number. This week, the legislature added an additional $80 million due to the initial influx of applications.
Not every family choosing private schools today is wealthy. Many parents make significant financial sacrifices because they feel their local public schools can’t fully meet their child’s specific needs. The CHOOSE Act can relieve these families’ financial strain, giving more Alabama children the chance for an education tailored to their circumstances.
Furthermore, ESAs are not just about moving students from public to private schools. Families can use these funds for tutoring, therapy, special educational resources, or even online learning programs. This flexibility ensures that each ESA truly supports what each child individually needs to succeed.
Critics worry that programs like the CHOOSE Act weaken public education by redirecting funds. However, states with similar programs haven’t seen public education collapse. Instead, they have found that competition can lead to improvement across all types of schools. When families have choices, schools—both public and private—have incentives to get better and serve students more effectively.
Alabama’s educational challenges are real, but limiting options for families isn’t the solution. Programs like the CHOOSE Act offer targeted help that can change the educational landscape, especially for families who historically haven’t had the luxury of choices.
Finally, it’s important to remember that education policy should put children’s needs first. The CHOOSE Act does exactly that. It prioritizes special needs students, military families, and lower-income families, providing them a real chance at education tailored to their children’s unique needs.
To be very clear, I support Alabama’s traditional public schools, as well as the state’s charter school sector. They are important parts of the K-12 landscape in Alabama. However, just as there is not a one-size-fits-all child, there is also not a one-size-fits-all educational setting, and expanding access to a range of educational opportunities is good for all families.
The CHOOSE Act isn’t about funding private schools for the wealthy; it’s about giving all families—especially those who need it most—a fair chance of ensuring their children receive a quality education that matches their unique needs.
Whether you support the CHOOSE Act or not, it is important to set the record straight. This fall, it will open doors for Alabama’s neediest families first.
David T. Marshall is an associate professor of educational research at Auburn University and the former chair of the Alabama Public Charter School Commission.