Alabama’s CHOOSE Act, a new education savings account program, has sparked controversy over its use of tax dollars to fund private schools instead of rescuing failing public schools. The program offers up to $7,000 per student for private school tuition and $2,000 for homeschooling expenses, with nearly two-thirds of applicants already outside the public school system. Critics argue that this is not true school choice but a state-subsidized reward for families who have opted out of public education.
Similar voucher-style programs in states like Iowa, Florida, Indiana, Arizona, and West Virginia have faced issues such as academic declines, fraud, and exclusion of rural families. The CHOOSE Act has also raised constitutional concerns over public funding for private religious education, potentially violating the First Amendment.
Supporters of public education argue for smarter, fairer alternatives like the RAISE Act, which directs funding to students with greater needs such as those in poverty, English learners, and those with disabilities. This approach is seen as real reform and equity compared to the CHOOSE Act, which is criticized for promoting exclusion and prioritizing private privilege over equal education for all children.
By shifting the focus of education funding towards private schools, the CHOOSE Act is seen as a dangerous trend that could weaken public institutions and create deep divides in access to quality education. Critics urge for a recommitment to public schools, reform, and investment instead of surrendering to a system where public dollars buy private privilege.
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