The state recently launched a website to sign up for the new school choice program passed by the Alabama Legislature earlier this year. Education Service Providers (ESPs) can now submit applications to participate in the program.
Lawmakers passed the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education (CHOOSE) Act during the 2024 legislative session, finally getting Gov. Kay Ivey's signature in March.
The law allows the Department of Revenue (ALDOR) to manage the education savings accounts (ESAs) for approved students. The ESA would be funded through a refundable income tax credit available to eligible parents. The individual credit would be $7,000 for students in participating schools, while non-participating school students — such as homeschooled students — are $2,000 per student and $4,000 per family.
An ESA can be used to pay for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies and other qualified education expenses at approved ESPs across the state. ESPs are individuals or organizations ALDOR authorizes to provide educational goods and services to participating families.
"Every Alabama student should have the opportunity to receive a high-quality education that meets their individual needs," Ivey said. "The CHOOSE Act is School Choice for a Strong Alabama – a wonderful opportunity for eligible families to receive assistance that will have a positive impact on their students' academic future and the future of our great state."
The new website, chooseact.alabama.gov, is currently open to ESPs and will soon be available for families to submit their applications in January 2025. Applicants will allow ESPs to submit for approval to participate in the CHOOSE Act.
Applications will be open to families in January 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. Families submitting applications must be Alabama residents with incomes not exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level for the 2024-2025 tax year. Current guidelines show that 300% of the federal poverty level is $93,600 for a family of four.
The first 500 ESAs are reserved for students with special needs. Additionally, priority is given to participating students, siblings of participating students, and students who are dependents of active-duty service members enrolled in or assigned to a priority school. A priority school is defined as a public K-12 school that received a grade of "D" or "F" on its most recent Alabama Department of Education school report card.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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