MONTGOMERY — Dozens of school-aged children and their parents braved the cold weather and loud noise of capital construction to gather on the steps of the Alabama State House on Wednesday morning for Education Freedom Day.
They were there to celebrate the state's progress in school choice policies, specifically the CHOOSE Act, and to encourage lawmakers to continue their efforts. The rally was co-hosted by Americans for Prosperity Alabama (AFP) and the Alabama Policy Institute (API).
In front of the statehouse, Stephanie Smith from API introduced State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), chairman of the House Education Budget Committee.
"Stephanie mentioned that Alabama's now one of the leading states, because of school choice. We were very happy about that, proud of that," Garrett said. "Everything today is about customization, flexibility, and choice. We need that to happen in the education community."
"We need you to continue to innovate, continue to grow, continue to get smart, and continue to learn. And then we need you to stay in Alabama. We need to grow this state with people like you," Garrett said, speaking directly to the students. "So I want to congratulate you for what you're doing. Congratulate the leaders who are leading here in your schools, the homeschool community, the microschool community; it's all evolving. It's going to change. It's dynamic, and we were part of supporting that."
"We'll continue to support public education, because public education will serve the needs of most of our students, but public education has got to get on board, fix itself, and also begin to innovate and have choice, like we're seeing," Garett explained. "You're already making an impact, because we're seeing some very innovative ideas happening all throughout the state. So let's continue."
Following Garrett's remarks, Abby Ireland, a mother of four daughters whose family is using CHOOSE Act funding to homeschool, spoke about her family's experience.
"As parents to four girls, my husband, and I quickly learned that they are all very different from their personalities to their learning styles. Even though they grew up in the same environment, raised with the same values, they're each different, and have wonderful personalities and are each made uniquely. I've learned that education looks different for each child," Ireland said.
"All four of our girls started out in the Pike Road public school system. We love it there. It's home to us. While our two older daughters are thriving there, our two youngest, we learned that they needed something different. So, I saw the Lord calling me to homeschool, and right around that time is when the CHOOSE Act became available. And it has been such a blessing for our family. The CHOOSE Act made it possible to bring our two youngest daughters home while limiting the financial strain to our family."
Following Ireland's remarks, Adam Thompson, the state director for Americans for Prosperity, Alabama, spoke to close out the event.
"At AFP, we believe, people are capable of extraordinary things when barriers are removed. And too often, those barriers are governmental or educational. And so the fact that we are able to provide choices for all the students I see here in the crowd, or those around Alabama, is an amazing testament to those bottom-up solutions where every child is unique," Thompson explained.
"We fully believe every child can learn, but not every child learns the exact same way, right? And so parents should be empowered to make the best choices for their children so that they can get the best education possible and live their version of the American dream, Thompson said. "Specifically, the CHOOSE Act, as it moves into universal eligibility in year three, we want to make sure that the legislature knows that the demand is there for families to fully fund us so that all Alabamians can take advantage of it if they choose."
State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) was scheduled to attend and speak at the event, but was held up in a committee meeting. The hosts both thanked him for his support of school choice.
Before the event on the steps, members of the group who are benefiting from the CHOOSE Act had the opportunity to meet with and get a photo with Gov. Kay Ivey.
Following the event, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth was the keynote speaker for a lunch for the group.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
