A Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama survey found respondents nearly split on the 2024 CHOOSE Act: 50% opposed it and 48% supported it. Still, 73%–94% favored rules for private schools taking voucher funds, including audits and academic standards.
Respondents favored English and math standards most (94%), followed by annual report cards (89%), financial audits (86%), minimum teacher qualifications (84%) and accepting all local students (73%). Also, 44% favored keeping the current eligibility limits for families earning 300% or less of the federal poverty level; the limits are due to disappear in 2027. Among CHOOSE Act supporters, 42% said they would stop supporting it if vouchers reduced public-education funding.
The article sets the Alabama findings against disputes elsewhere: an Ohio bill for annual audits and public-school-style report cards for private schools receiving public money stalled in committee, while voucher supporters blocked an Arizona oversight proposal. It also says Tennessee lawmakers moved to exempt voucher schools from a state test after they were not performing as well as public schools.
