The Alabama Policy Institute said on Mar. 31 that Alabama has joined the national movement toward educational freedom by moving to universal eligibility for school choice programs. The institute highlighted the state’s progress with initiatives such as the AAA Scholarship program, charter schools, and the recent passage of the CHOOSE Act (AL Act 2024-101).
The discussion comes at a time when debates over parental rights and educational freedom are increasing across the country. The Alabama Policy Institute said its mission centers on family empowerment, stating that “education freedom is fundamentally about family empowerment, and the shift toward universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) enables all Alabama families to choose learning environments that align with their core values and religious principles.”
The institute argued that public sector unions oppose measures like the CHOOSE Act because they reflect constitutional commitments to parental rights and religious liberty. Citing historical context, it referenced Thomas Jefferson’s view from 1816 that parents should be primary educators, as well as Supreme Court decisions supporting parental roles in education.
According to the official website, the Alabama Policy Institute strengthens communities by promoting policies supporting strong families and community well-being. It affiliates with national organizations such as Family Policy Alliance and State Policy Network as Alabama’s state affiliate. The institute researches conservative public policies focused on free markets, limited government, and strong families while extending advocacy efforts to policymakers and citizens throughout Alabama.
“That choice is made easier with the passage of the CHOOSE Act and we shouldn’t apologize for it,” said representatives from API in their statement. They added that protecting private schools’ autonomy remains essential: “for school choice to be truly meaningful, we must remain vigilant in protecting the autonomy of private schools and homeschool families.”
Founded in 1989, API is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization which influences state legislative debates through research, advocacy, education efforts—publishing reports on key issues according to the official website.
API concluded by saying it remains committed to ensuring every student receives a high-quality education while honoring parents’ right “to direct decisions regarding the religious and educational upbringing of their children.”