How Alabama Families Can Access Education Choice with Tonya Jones | The Advocate’s Chair

March 24, 2026

A Conversation About School Choice in Alabama

What happens when policy meets real life? You get stories that matter, and solutions that actually change outcomes for families.


In a recent episode of The Advocate’s Chair, host Neonta Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Black Alabamians for Education, sat down with our own Tonya Jones. What unfolded was more than a policy discussion, it was a deeply personal, practical look at how education choice is opening doors for families across Alabama.


A Personal Journey That Fuels a Mission

Tonya’s path to education advocacy didn’t start in a boardroom—it started in Bruton, Alabama. Growing up with limited access to educational opportunities, she saw firsthand how a lack of options can shape a child’s future.


Her career journey—spanning accounting, education, and nonprofit work—eventually led her to AOSF, where she now helps families navigate opportunities she didn’t always have herself. That perspective isn’t theoretical. It’s lived experience. And it’s what drives her commitment to making sure every family has access to the right educational fit for their child.


Understanding the Alabama Accountability Act

A big part of the conversation focused on the Alabama Accountability Act—the law that makes our scholarships possible.


Tonya helped cut through the confusion, explaining:

  • Who qualifies for scholarships
  • How eligibility is determined
  • The shift from labeling “failing schools” to identifying today’s “priority schools”


The takeaway? This isn’t about labeling schools—it’s about giving families options when their current situation isn’t working.


Clearing Up Misconceptions

School choice can come with a lot of noise and a lot of misconceptions.


One of the most important clarifications from the conversation: accountability still matters. Scholarship programs have safeguards in place, and families are making intentional, informed decisions about their children’s education.


Another myth? That these opportunities only benefit a select few. In reality, programs like ours are designed to expand access—especially for families who might otherwise have limited options.


Real Students. Real Impact.

Policy is one thing. Outcomes are another.


Tonya and Neonta shared powerful stories of students who found success after transferring to schools that better matched their learning styles, needs, and goals. These aren’t edge cases, they’re proof points.


When students are in the right environment, everything changes: confidence, engagement, and long-term success.


A Closer Look at the CHOOSE Act

The conversation also explored the Alabama CHOOSE Act, one of the newest tools available to Alabama families.



Here’s what parents need to know:

  • Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): up to $7,000 for students in school-based settings and up to $2,000 for homeschool students
  • Flexible spending: Funds can be used for tuition, curriculum, tutoring, and other approved education expenses
  • ClassWallet system: A user-friendly platform that helps families manage and track their funds
  • Application deadlines: March 31, 2026


Programs like the CHOOSE Act aren’t just about funding, they’re about flexibility and empowerment.


Why This Conversation Matters

At the heart of it all is a simple idea: education isn’t one-size-fits-all.


Families deserve the ability to choose environments where their children can thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. And when they’re given that opportunity, the ripple effects go far beyond the classroom.


This episode of The Advocate’s Chair serves as both a guide and a reminder:

The tools exist

The pathways are there

And the impact is real


For parents, educators, and advocates alike, it’s worth paying attention—because the future of education in Alabama is being shaped right now.


Because every child deserves more than a system, they deserve a right fit.

School Spotlight: The Rock Academy

March 20, 2026
For families in the rural communities of Russell and Lee County, finding the right school fit hasn’t always been easy. That’s exactly the gap The Rock Academy set out to fill. As a newer K–12 Christian school with an inclusive preschool program, The Rock Academy is grounded in a clear mission: deliver a high-quality education while shaping students academically, spiritually, and personally. Or, as Founder and Principal Kristi puts it, “We strive to cultivate academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development in our students.” No fluff, just a straightforward commitment to doing school differently, and do it well.

New Polling Shows Parents Are Ready for the Education Freedom Tax Credit

March 16, 2026
New polling shows K-12 parents strongly support the Education Freedom Tax Credit and are likely to contribute to scholarship programs expanding opportunity for students.

How the Education Freedom Tax Credit Can Help Alabama Kids Thrive

March 2, 2026
For decades, AOSF has put parents — not systems — in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education. We know one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit (a.k.a. federal scholarship tax credit) is a big deal: it lets everyday taxpayers redirect part of what they already owe in federal taxes to directly fund K-12 scholarships for Alabama students. Here’s the practical version of how it works, and why it matters.

Tax Deduction vs. Tax Credit — What Donors Really Need to Know

February 24, 2026
When you give to support K–12 scholarships, not all tax incentives are created equal — and knowing the difference can help make your gift go further.

Scholarships at Work: Faith Academy Spotlight

February 19, 2026
When donors give to the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, they’re not just funding tuition. They’re opening doors to schools like Faith Academy in Mobile — places where students are known, supported, challenged, and grounded in faith. Faith Academy is a private Christian school committed to developing the whole child: academically, spiritually, and personally. Excellence isn’t just a tagline there. It’s woven into the classroom, the stage, the football field, and the daily rhythms of school life. And for many families, access to that kind of education is only possible because of scholarship support.

Who Can Claim the Education Freedom Tax Credit?

February 16, 2026
What Is the Education Freedom Tax Credit? The Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) is a federal tax credit that lets Alabama taxpayers reduce their federal income tax liability by donating to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund. When you give, you get a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit, not just a deduction, for your contribution. Key benefit: Donate up to $1,700 per individual and cut your federal tax bill by the exact same amount. This makes the EFTC one of the most impactful tools for supporting school choice and education scholarships in Alabama.

What the Education Freedom Tax Credit Means for Alabama Families and Donors

February 11, 2026
Big changes are coming to school choice and Alabama families stand to benefit in a major way. The new Education Freedom Tax Credit , launching in 2027, creates a federal tax credit for people who donate to scholarship-granting organizations like the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund (AOSF) . Translation: taxpayers can redirect part of their federal tax bill to fund K–12 scholarships for students right here in Alabama. This isn’t a policy talking point. It’s a real, practical opportunity to expand educational access for families who need options. Let’s break it down.

My Why: Sherri's School Choice Story

January 31, 2026
Sherri Rowton, Development Director, shares why she supports school choice for all Alabama families. I was fortunate to grow up in a family where education was always a top priority. My mother was a first-generation college graduate who spent her career as an elementary school teacher. My father overcame a difficult childhood by enlisting in the military, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and two graduate degrees. From an early age, I saw how education can open doors and change the trajectory of a life. I later spent two decades as a fundraiser for Auburn University, where I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education. Our generous donors gave so that others could earn an education—something no one could ever take away from them. But that foundation must begin well before college, equipping students for lives in which they, and their families, can truly flourish. That is why Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund is so invaluable. Through the generosity of our supporters, we empower parents to choose the school and learning environment that best fits the needs of their children—whether public, private, homeschool, or microschools. My own family experienced the difference the right school can have. Our local public school provided my older son with exactly what he needed to succeed; he is now a college graduate with a full-time career. My younger son, however, needed an environment with more structure than his school could provide. We were able to find a setting that better met his needs, and he is now a college senior—an outcome I sincerely doubt would have been possible without that change. It is my honor and privilege to work alongside such generous donors who make opportunities like these possible for families across Alabama. Education freedom is truly a win-win for families, for our donors, and for the future of our state.

My Why: Tonya's School Choice Story

January 30, 2026
Meet Tonya Jones, our Implementation & Operations Manager, and learn why school choice matters to her and to families across Alabama.

My Why: Casandra's School Choice Story

January 29, 2026
Meet Casandra Meguiar, our Development Manager, learn why school choice matters to her families and to families across Alabama.