Empowering Education Choice & Freedom in Alabama

Our leading belief is: It is the right of the parent to direct the education of the child.  

We represent and advocate for Non-public school education programs in Alabama which include:

• Home education programs
• Private schools
• Church schools (a ministry of a church)
• Parochial schools (may or may not be a ministry of a church)
• Micro-schools (a private school label conveying small class sizes)
• Hybrid Schools (a private school label conveying the program type)
• Tutor programs
• Homeschooling Cooperatives
• Other educational service providers

Stated Goals and Agenda:

We must come together and unify on 2 very core principles of our law:

1. The right of the parent to direct the education of their child.

2. The Autonomy of non-public schools, SB 38/ Act 2014-245 which means there is nothing to report to anyone at any time - i.e. the true intent of the law. 

Our simple goal is to bridge a gap between the Non-Public School community and our Legislators in Montgomery and to protect, support, and safeguard the rights of non-public school (NPS) education programs, ensuring students have access to flexible, customized educational options that meet the diverse needs of students across the state. We advocate for these rights under both current and future laws and funding programs.

The reason I founded Aegis Education Alliance of Alabama is because I firmly and passionately believe you cannot make sound decisions for your business, group, or your family without having the facts. Telling the people the truth shouldn’t be so hard, but yet misinformation is abundant in our state. Without the truth and facts, you (nor I) can be expected to make sound decisions.

Unfortunately, legislative law changes in 2014 have resulted in much division in our state.  On one hand, it was a major win for educational freedom and on the second hand, it was a punch in the gut to those who don't believe in educational freedom.  

There are a vast number of people and groups in our state and around the country who simply do not believe we should have the right to educational freedom let alone to do it without any regulations or government intervention.  

Today, in Alabama, misinformation in the form of "perceived inconsistencies in the law" is circulated and presented by individuals and organizations who stand to profit from you living in fear of the government coming after you for homeschooling or attending other forms non-public school education program.  There simply is no excuse for this.  

AEAAL opposes this.

With the onset of the Choose Act, there is added fuel to generate more propaganda & fear-based campaigns and play on these fears for accepting taxpayer funds for home education programs or attending other non-public school programs.  Testing and Loss of Freedoms are just two widely circulating. There are activities happening behind the scenes which creates a need for you to have a voice in the direction of the non-public school status in our state.  

This is why the AEAAL was created.  If we stand a chance at keeping our freedoms and maintaining the power and control over non-public school education programs we were afforded in 2014, we are going to have to unite and fight to keep it.  We may not agree on every single line or agenda item, but we must agree and unite around the 2 core principles above.

The Alabama legislature and our elected officials have clearly stated we need to become more organized and better united in messaging if we want a voice at the table.  We won’t always agree on everything, we are only human after all.  My mission, vision and promise with AEAAL is to advance educational opportunities for families in Alabama and to create the pathway for advocacy to retain our freedoms and to serve as a Navigator for families and educational service providers in Alabama.

With all of this said, I want to make the intentions of AEAAL very clear, so you have NO doubt about what AEAAL is about.  There are no hidden agendas. AEAAL will always be open and honest at all times!

At a minimum, we are seeking partners who believe in the following:

1. First and foremost, AEAAL firmly believes in the right of the parent to direct the education of their child.  This has been codified into state law.  This right includes all educational opportunities that can meet the needs of a child.
2. Second, autonomy of non-public school education programs means autonomy.  There is nothing to report to anyone at any time.
3. To give ALL Non-Public Schools a voice in Alabama.
4. Advocate for access to public services for students without being impacted by burdensome regulations and requirements. This doesn’t mean there won’t be requirements, this means we will fearlessly advocate for them to be minimum, rational and reasonable.  Ex: if a student wants to participate in band, the school typically requires them to take 1 class.  That has been found to be acceptable in the homeschooling community. 
5. To empower community leaders and educators to start programs and offer services that serve the needs of students in Alabama.
6. Education Funding for Students to attend programs to meet the educational needs of those students without discrimination based on the fact they are not a public-school enrolled student.

What we need: Volunteers for the following areas

• Stakeholders in Alabama who believe in the mission to keep NPS free from burdensome regulations
• Stakeholders in Alabama who believe that students and families must have access to educational funding and that no student should be discriminated against with this funding based solely on the educational program that meets the students' educational needs.
• Stakeholders in Alabama who have knowledge, experience and acumen in how the political world works in Montgomery
• You know who to contact and have the skillset to navigate red tape to obtain answers
• You have a desire and strong will to get AEAAL a seat and voice at the table and to be heard.
• Homeschool Advocate and Liaison - this role will aid homeschoolers who are having difficulty withdrawing from or enrolling in a public school. 
• Information Campaigns - We need individuals with creative skills to put together various pieces to advertise and market the correct NPS information, create presentation outlines
• Spokespersons - Individuals who are charismatic and enjoy being in the spotlight. Someone who enjoys and is well versed in public speaking.
• Stakeholders who want to have input in the direction for the Alliance. Persons who already participate in various groups on social media who can see what the NPS sector needs.  The goal is to be able to come up with and respond as quickly as possible to any and all prospective issues arising in our communities. 
• Stakeholders who can observe and report nationwide trends.  Ex: Watch for legislation being introduced in other states that could prospectively be introduced into ours by entities who seek to regulate and control non-public school education programs, especially homeschooling.
• Stakeholders to assist in building out additional framework for the alliance.
• Stakeholders who can assist in the development of educational guidelines for parents.
• Stakeholders who can assist in coaching parents on educational opportunities at all levels up to and including trade programs or college programs.
• Stakeholders who can serve as a Navigator for parents and education service providers for the Alabama Choose Act.

Stakeholders must be even tempered as to avoid an US vs THEM persona.  Our number 1 goal is educational freedom of choice in Alabama unburdened by regulations.  We are here to serve families and students to get accurate information with NO hidden agenda.

Act 2014-245 SB38: Autonomy of Non-Public Schools

At Aegis Education Alliance Alabama, we represent the true intent of the Alabama Law

This is the law all non-public school education programs fall under. 

This is the law that we will work diligently to defend.

In Alabama, state law requires that children of compulsory school age be enrolled in an educational program. 

Alabama has also codified into law a parent’s legal right to direct their child’s education.

The two pathways to achieve compliance:

1. Public School – This includes traditional brick-and-mortar schools, charter schools, and virtual public schools. Note: Programs like Alabama Connections Academy and K12 are public school-at-home programs, not homeschooling programs.
2. Non-Public School – This category includes private schools, church schools, parochial schools, private tutors, and independent homeschool education programs. This is the category even micro schools, hybrid schools, homeschool cooperatives and other group learning educational programs fall under as well as "cover" schools.  

Non-Public School Autonomy:

Alabama law does not regulate non-public schools. Under SB 38, Act 2014-245, often referred to as the “Private School Law,” states that non-public schools, including homeschool programs, operate independently and without state oversight.

Zero Reporting Requirements for Non-public Schools:

Simply stated: There is nothing to report at any time to anyone.  There is no prohibition from voluntary participation of reporting information to State and Local governments regarding the non-public school education program. However, there is no legal basis or requirement to do so.

Non-public Schools including Homeschool: you are not required to:

• Notify or report information regarding your program including homeschooling status
• Submit letters of intent. (Homeschool)
• Follow a specific curriculum or notify anyone of the curriculum you use
• Track the number of school days or hours.
• Maintain portfolios or educational plans.
• Provide nor submit any medical information such as immunizations to any state or local government entity.
• Notify anyone of students enrolled in your school (or when they are removed from your program) unless you are accepting Choose Act funds and then you must adhere to the HB129 Rules and Regulations.
• There are no testing requirements.  Exception: Participating Schools under the Choose Act Funding program. Refer to HB129 for additional information.

Who oversees Non-public school compliance in Alabama?

There is no state or local official in a paid or volunteer position tasked with monitoring non-public school compliance. This autonomy means there is no legal framework exists to hold non-public school education programs including homeschoolers accountable to any regulations including that of public-school standards, such as attendance requirements or curriculum approval. 

Important note on withdrawing from public school:

If your child is transferring from a public school to a non-public school education program, you must formally withdraw them from the public school system. Failure to do so may result in a truancy investigation.

Restrictions on Local Public Schools:

Subdivisions of the state including Local public schools and school districts are prohibited by law (Act 2014-245) from creating their own regulations for non-public schools. For example, they cannot require an NPS to:

• Provide a notice of intent to homeschool.
• Provide list of enrolled students
• Report their curriculum.
• Submit attendance records.

Exceptions to Autonomy:

The autonomy of non-public school education programs may be affected when a person or entity accepts public funds, grants or otherwise participate in other programs funded by taxpayers through the government. For example, private schools and vendors participating in taxpayer-funded programs administered by a governmental agency, such as the child nutrition program or Choose Act ESA programs, may be subject to specific regulations tied to those funds.  

Example: Testing - The Choose Act requires participating schools to administer testing - either to the curriculum used or a nationally normed standardized test.  The state has placed the burden upon the education service provide and not the family.  There is no requirement to test according to state standards.

Court intervention: A court of law may also remove the right of the parent to direct the education of the child.  AEAAL will advocate for courts to comply with all laws for all legal education programs in AL which includes all non-public school options.