In recognition of National School Choice Week, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said she believes that Alabama has set the standard when it comes to educational freedom for students and families.

Alabama’s latest landmark school choice initiative, the CHOOSE Act, was signed into law in 2024.

The program created state-funded education savings accounts that eligible families can use for qualified education expenses, including private school tuition and other services.

Governor Kay Ivey touted those efforts in her State of the State address earlier this month, pointing to the scoreboard of policies her administration is implementing in support of Alabama families.

“We are supporting Alabama families: From our record 6,000 plus foster care adoptions…to our CHOOSE Act education savings accounts…to paid parental leave for teachers,” Ivey said in her address.

“Our education savings account program, the CHOOSE Act, is already supporting more than 23,000 students. That number will only grow as more folks learn about the program, as student athletes feel more confident in the rules and when it becomes fully universal in year three,” she added. “For the 27-28 Academic Year, I am proposing we increase funding for the CHOOSE Act to $250 million dollars. This will help even more families receive the education that best suits their child.”

On Tuesday, Secretary McMahon said Alabama has the right idea.

“In her State of the State Address, [Governor Kay Ivey] called for more funding for the CHOOSE Act, Alabama’s education savings account program,” McMahon posted.

“Alabama is answering the Trump Admin’s call to expand school choice and empower families to choose education that best fits their needs.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee