Most families applying for a new Alabama school coupon are in non-public schools
Montgomery, Ala. (AP) – More than half of families applying for the Alabama New School Coupon Program have children going to private schools or being home-educated, buoy school choice advocates say the flood of applications proves that this approach is what parents want
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office released application data Tuesday, which would help qualified families with Tap State Dollars to help pay for private or homeschool fees. The family submitted 22,167 applications to a total of 36,873 students.
“Obviously, taxpayers in Alabama want school options,” Ivey said.
“The Choice Act, Alabama’s Education Savings Account Program, will enable more taxpayers in Alabama families to choose a school that meets the individual needs of their children. In the first year of the program, our strong response to our individual needs is strongly encouraged.”
The massive application raises the possibility of $100 million in the state’s first year of funding, and lawmakers will hope to put additional funds into the plan.
These figures show that more than half of the applications are targeted at students who have already attended private schools or homeschooled. Of the 36,873 students, 10,287 students are from public schools, 15,436 students from private schools, and 9,070 students are homeschooling.
Alabama is one of the states that use vouchers, tax credits, or scholarships to help families pay for private schools or education outside of public schools.
Alabama’s Choice Act, or creating hope and opportunities for the 2024 Student Education Act, will provide up to $7,000 in state funding for private school tuition or participation in schools through an education savings account. Parents can also pay $2,000 for homeschool fees.
The first 500 slots are reserved for disabled students families. Eligibility was initially limited to families with incomes up to 300% of federal poverty levels, with families of three being about $77,460. Income caps will disappear in 2027, but lower income families and disabled families will prioritize funding.
Alabama lawmakers allocated $100 million for the first year of the program. Ivey’s spokeswoman Gina Maiola said the state will offer as many awards as possible in the funds available.
If they will receive a reward, families will be notified starting May 1.
“In terms of the number of applications, this is far more than what we expected in the first year. The question is how many of them qualify. How many are under the 300% income cap?” said Senator Arthur Orle, chairman of the Senate Education Budget Preparation Committee.
R-Decatut’s Orr said he is considering the possibility of a conditional or supplemental grant if $100 million is not enough to cover qualified applicants.
White families account for 58.6% of applications, while non-white families account for 41.4% of applications. Alabama’s population is about 64.1%.
Supporters say these plans give parents a choice of how best to educate their children. Critics say this will drain public schools’ funds to help families who may have decided to include their children in private schools.
“I’m worried we have about 150 schools that require additional income,” said Senator Roger Smithman (D-Birmingham).
“As this situation grows, it will make money from public education,” Smithman added.
