Governor Ivey Introduces a CHOOSE Act Family: Meet the Ratcliffe Family

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday introduced the Ratcliffes, an Alabama family utilizing the CHOOSE Act, the governor’s education savings account (ESA) program. Mother Tricia Ratcliffe has one child: Rossalyn, or Rossi (11) in 6^th grade. Rossi received support from the CHOOSE Act for the 2025-26 school year at Pike Liberal Arts School in Troy. She is among the over 34,000 students being supported by the program this school year.

“Tricia is a perfect example of a hardworking Alabama parent that just wants the best education available for her child,” said Governor Ivey. “I am proud that the CHOOSE Act has helped Rossi not only stay at a school that she loves but afford the kind of outside help she needs to thrive.”

Tricia values education and an environment that can support Rossi’s individual learning needs. Tricia adopted Rossi from India when she was two, and she was diagnosed with double deficit dyslexia when she was in third grade, as well as a hearing impairment. The CHOOSE Act helps Tricia pay for Rossi’s school tuition, while Rossi also participates in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that helps her outside of school. Tricia owns SheBang!! Clog Dance Company in Troy and teaches clogging.

To other Alabama parents, Tricia Ratcliffe advised regarding the CHOOSE Act, “It is worth every minute it takes to apply. The CHOOSE Act is for regular, working-class people who are trying hard every day to provide the best possible education for their children, and Governor Ivey gets that. If getting help where help is available is what you have to do for your child to succeed, then do it.”

Pike Liberal Arts School is home to several families that are benefitting from the CHOOSE Act, some that were able to stay and others that were able to transfer there because of it. These parents now have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they have options, and that their children are getting an education that is tailored to them. Rossi’s favorite subjects in school are STEM and art, and she also loves P.E. STEM is one of her favorites because it is typically a more hands-on learning environment. Outside of school, Rossi stays busy. She participates in dance, karate, gymnastics and swimming. She also loves to ride her bicycle around her neighborhood with her dog, Flower.

Tricia Ratcliffe added, “The CHOOSE Act has relieved so much stress for my family. I am thankful that Rossi has been able to stay with her friends at a school that she loves. Her happiness is worth a million dollars to me. Thank you to Governor Ivey for doing this.”

The CHOOSE Act can help families with instructional materials and supplies, covering items like curriculum, textbooks, workbooks, educational software, computers, school supplies and even fees charged by tutors or schools.

“I have seen firsthand the positive impact Governor Kay Ivey’s CHOOSE Act has had on families across Alabama,” said Head of School Amy Allen.“The program has provided meaningful financial relief, allowing many parents to choose the educational environment they believe best meets the unique needs of their children. Families are making a significant investment in their children’s education, and the support provided through the CHOOSE Act challenges schools like ours to continually deliver exceptional academic programs, strong character development, safe learning environments and meaningful communication with parents. We are grateful for Governor Kay Ivey’s leadership in championing educational choice for Alabama families, and we are proud to be part of a community that values educational freedom, high expectations and a commitment to preparing students for success in college, career and life.”

The Ratcliffe family is one of tens of thousands being supported by the CHOOSE Act.

About the CHOOSE Act:

The CHOOSE Act website provides Alabama families with the latest information about the CHOOSE Act, including eligibility information, an online application for both renewing and new families, program FAQ, important deadlines and parent and education service provider (ESP) guides.

The 2026–27 CHOOSE Act application period closed at midnight on March 31, 2026, with a record-breaking 29,341 applications representing 48,927 students. Of these, 18,832 were new applications for 29,986 students, while 10,509 were renewal applications for 18,941 students. Families were notified of their award status in mid-April, and currently, 34,322 eligible students are using their CHOOSE Act funds for approved educational expenses.

The CHOOSE Act makes refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts available to support the success of eligible K-12 students in Alabama. An ESA can be used to pay for tuition, fees and other qualified education expenses at approved Education Service Providers (ESPs).

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the program is open to new families with an adjusted gross income (AGI) not exceeding 300 percent of the federal poverty level for the preceding tax year. For the 2027-2028 academic year and beyond, the program is open to all families, regardless of income.

The program will prioritize students with special needs, participating students and their siblings and students who are dependents of active-duty service members enrolled in or assigned to a priority school. Remaining ESAs will be available to students based on the family’s AGI as a percentage of the federal poverty level.

For applications and more information about CHOOSE Act Alabama, visit chooseact.alabama.gov.

A photo of the Ratcliffe family is attached.

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