MONTGOMERY, Alabama (AP) — More than half of families who apply for Alabama’s new school voucher program have private schools or homeschooled children.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivy’s office released applications on Tuesday Choice method, new programs It helps eligible families tap on state dollars to help pay private schools and homeschooling costs. The family submitted 22,167 applications to a total of 36,873 students.
Ivey said the robust number of applications is a sign that “obviously Alabama families want school choices.”
“The Choice Act, Alabama’s Educational Savings Account Program, allows Alabama families to increase the chances of choosing a school that meets their children’s individual needs. It is strongly encouraged by a strong response in the first year of the program.”
A considerable number of applications increase the likelihood that states will run out of $100 million available funds in the program’s first year, and lawmakers will try to put additional money into the program.
The numbers showed that over half of the applications came for students who are already attending private schools or homeschooled. Of these 36,873 students, 10,287 students came from public schools, 15,436 students came from private schools, and 9,070 are homeschooled.
Alabama is in it state Parent vouchers, tax credits, or scholarships are used to help families pay private schools and education fees outside of public school settings.
Alabama’s Please choose the act, Alternatively, by creating hope and opportunity in the Student Education Act of 2024, you can provide state money up to $7,000 to eligible families through your education savings account for private school tuition fees or costs at participating schools. Parents can also earn up to $2,000 at homeschool costs.
The first 500 slots are reserved for families of students with disabilities. Eligibility is initially limited to families who have achieved up to 300% of federal poverty levels, and is around $77,460 for a family of three. The income cap will disappear in 2027, but low-income families and families with students with disabilities will prioritize funds.
Alabama legislators allocated $100 million in the first year of the program. Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola said the state will offer “as many awards as possible” from the funds available.
Family members will be notified of awards from May 1st.
“This was far beyond what was expected in the first year in terms of the number of applications. The question is how many of them are eligible. How many are under the 300% revenue cap?” said Sen. Arthur Al, chairman of the Senate Education Budget Writing Committee.
Orr, R-Decatur said it is considering the possibility of conditional or supplementary expenditures if it is not sufficient to cover eligible applicants.
White families accounted for 58.6% of the applications, while non-white families accounted for 41.4% of the applications. Alabama’s population is approximately 64.1% white.
Supporters say the program allows parents to choose the best way to educate their children. Critics say they drain money from public schools to help families who may have already decided to register their children in private schools.
“We have around 150 failed schools and we are concerned about the fact that those schools need additional income,” said Sen. Rodger Smitherman of D-Birmingham, who refers to designation of schools with low test scores.
“As this grows, it will take money from public education,” Smitherman added.
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