Who should decide your child’s future – you, the parent, or a group of unelected officials hiding behind a rulebook?
In Alabama, the Choose Act answers that question clearly: parents. The law gives families the right to use their own tax dollars to choose the school that best serves their child. Private schools, homeschooling, or other options – families finally have the freedom to make decisions based on what works, not what government assigns. This is not a handout. It’s your money, your child, your choice.
But the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) refuses to follow the law. It thinks it knows better than parents, lawmakers, and even the governor. The Choose Act explicitly says no student should lose the right to play sports because their family chose a better school. Yet the AHSAA made up its own rule, forcing students who use the Choose Act to sit out a full year. They hunt for any technicality to maintain power and control, punishing children and families just for making the right choices. Their arrogance puts bureaucrats above kids’ futures, crushing dreams and opportunities.
The AHSAA is a nonprofit organization that answers to no one. It is not accountable to parents and acts as if it doesn’t have to follow state law. It has accumulated too much unchecked power – all while pretending to act in the best interests of children.
Sports Are More Than Games
Sports open doors to college scholarships, leadership skills, discipline, teamwork, and lifelong lessons. By keeping kids from playing, the AHSAA steals opportunities that can change lives forever. And the impact is not equal, as black student-athletes are hit the hardest.
For many, the Choose Act is a way out of failing or unsafe schools. By blocking them from competing, the AHSAA is closing the very doors that education reform was meant to open.
AHSAA vs. Freedom
“He who has God and conscience on his side, has a majority against the universe,” Frederick Douglass once said.
He lived this truth, often standing alone against slavery, powerful politicians, and oppressive systems. But because he had God and truth on his side, he stood taller than all of them.
The AHSAA’s policy does the exact opposite. Instead of letting families pick the best schools for their children, it puts unnecessary rules and roadblocks in the way. It stops families from using their own money to help their kids succeed and lets unelected officials control children’s futures. This isn’t just arrogance – it is small-scale tyranny, punishing families for doing the right thing.
Time to Replace the AHSAA
Thankfully, Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter stood up to the AHSAA. They took the fight to court, and a judge issued an injunction blocking the unlawful policy – for now.
But make no mistake: the AHSAA will not give up easily. They’ve had too much power for too long. They think they – not parents – should decide your child’s future.
It’s time to replace the AHSAA. Any organization that openly breaks the law, ignores parents, and harms children’s opportunities has lost the right to lead. A new governing body – accountable to parents, transparent in decisions, and obedient to the law – should take its place.
The Way Forward
The Choose Act trusts families. The AHSAA punishes them. The Choose Act lifts children. The AHSAA crushes their dreams.
We must always err on the side of the children. Their freedom to learn, play and succeed must come first. No unelected group – certainly not the AHSAA – has the right to play God with children’s futures.
To contact KCarl, request a speaking engagement, or find books, resources, and more, visit the Frederick Douglass Republican Store.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
