By Jim Zeigler
The state of Alabama has set up several programs for families to use and pay for school options.
The CHOOSE Act
Education Scholarship Program
Alabama Accountability Act
Special Education Evaluations
Charter Schools
Each program has its own requirements, benefits and limitations. Any one program can prove a bit complicated for a family wanting to know their education options. Surveying all the programs and making sound decisions can be an even bigger challenge.
Now, citizens in Alabama have set up a non-profit to serve as a guide and assistant to families seeking to navigate the new and changing world of school options.
Love Your School Alabama provides a website and Facebook page with frequently asked questions and one-on-one support.
Love Your School also produces a podcast titled “Bama Knows Education.” It can be accessed here.
The podcast is hosted by Sheila Bannister of Madison, the regional director of Love Your School.
To keep up with changes in the programs, a free e-mail update is available here.
Families needing one-on-one support about their situation can set that up at Love Your School, which has Parent Support Specialists available.
The organization describes itself on its site as follows:
Love Your School believes every family should be able to answer the question “do you love your school?” with a resounding “yes!” Love Your School Alabama celebrates education options and helps Alabama families navigate the Education (CHOOSE) Tax Credit, special education, school options and more. We take pride in offering one-on-one support to families, taking them from problem to solution.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. ÏHe is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.