If you’ve been watching Alabama’s education landscape, you know that something significant is shifting. The CHOOSE Act—Alabama’s school voucher program—is about to change in a way that could affect every family in the state. You’ve likely heard bits and pieces about this in the news, maybe worried about what it means for your child’s education or your community’s public schools. Your concerns are valid, and understanding what’s actually happening matters—especially when the details can get lost in political jargon.
What’s Changing with Alabama’s CHOOSE Act
Currently, Alabama’s school voucher program provides up to $7,000 annually in tax credits for families to use toward private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapy, and school supplies. But here’s the key detail: there’s currently an income cap limiting eligibility to families earning up to 300% above the federal poverty level—roughly $79,950 for a family of three.
That income cap is set to expire on January 1st, which means the CHOOSE Act would become universal, opening eligibility to every parent of an eligible child in Alabama. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter recently said he anticipates the program going universal, noting that “it’s amazing to see how popular the CHOOSE Act has been.”
Alabama's school voucher program is about to go universal. Arizona's experience shows where that can lead—costs went from $65M to $1B in two years. What should parents know?
The Budget Reality Behind the Expansion
Here’s where things get complicated. Governor Kay Ivey’s proposed $10.479 billion Education Trust Fund budget—the largest in state history—includes a requested $570 million increase. However, most of that increase would go toward a proposed teacher pay raise and a $210 million increase in the Public Education Employee Health Insurance Program (PEEHIP) to address rising costs.
The PEEHIP program is facing a projected shortfall of between $350 million and $410 million by 2027. As one legislator put it, “there’s a serious impact across the budget” if the voucher program expands without limits. Senator Arthur Orr, chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee, stated, “I do not believe we will go from 300% poverty to being able to fully fund, in year three, all comers.”
Quote: For the first time in a very long time, we are seeing gains as it relates to education in the State of Alabama. So we’re doing the right things to move us forward. Why would you want to take money out of the system when we know what we’re doing is working? Attribution: Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, Ranking Minority Member, House Ways & Means Education Committee
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
What Arizona’s Experience Shows
Alabama isn’t the first state to expand school vouchers universally. Arizona’s Empower Scholarship Accounts went universal in 2022, and the costs have been striking. The program was expected to cost $65 million in 2023, but the estimated cost skyrocketed to $900 million that same year—and last year approached $1 billion.
Alabama’s State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey has expressed concern: “In my opinion, there should always be some kind of cap, because you’ve got to be able to budget and plan around it. I would hate to see them remove that and say it go immediately to like $500 million, which I think is possible if there’s no limitation on income.” With the 2026 legislative session now over halfway complete, no proposals have emerged to extend the income limits.
Key takeaways
- Voucher Expansion Coming: Alabama's CHOOSE Act income caps expire January 1, making the program universal.
- Budget Concerns: The Education Trust Fund faces competing demands, including a $380 million PEEHIP shortfall and teacher pay raises.
- Watch and Engage: With no income limits, costs could escalate similarly to Arizona's experience—families should stay informed and involved.
What This Means for Alabama Families
The CHOOSE Act has already seen about 5,800 students leave public schools, with roughly 3,000 receiving funds. Notably, about two-thirds of applicants were either current private school or homeschool students—raising questions about whether the program is serving families seeking alternatives or families already in private education.
Representative Barbara Drummond, who voted against the CHOOSE Act along with all Democrats and six Republicans, warned: “For the first time in a very long time, we are seeing gains as it relates to education in the State of Alabama. So we’re doing the right things to move us forward. Why would you want to take money out of the system when we know what we’re doing is working?”
What happens next will depend on legislative action—or inaction—during the remaining session. Parents who want to understand how this might affect their family’s educational options should watch for budget debates and committee votes in the coming weeks.
Quote: In my opinion, there should always be some kind of cap, because you’ve got to be able to budget and plan around it. I would hate to see them remove that and say it go immediately to like $500 million, which I think is possible if there’s no limitation on income. Attribution: Eric Mackey, Alabama State Schools Superintendent
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
As parents, we all want the same thing: the best possible education for our children, in whatever setting helps them thrive. What’s happening in Alabama reflects a broader conversation happening across the country about how we fund education and who gets to make choices about our children’s learning. The reality is that systems don’t always make it easy for families to find what works—but you know your child better than anyone. Whether you’re considering public school, private school, homeschool, or something else entirely, the most powerful thing you can do is stay informed, ask questions, and trust your instincts about what your child needs. If you’re looking for support in understanding learning differences and finding approaches that work for your family’s unique situation, Learning Success offers resources that help parents become their child’s strongest advocate—because the best educational decisions come from informed, empowered parents.
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References
- Alabama Reflector - Alabama's school voucher program might go universal despite budget concerns
- Alabama Daily News - PEEHIP shortfall persists ahead of 2026 legislative session
