Political leaders across the state are using the opportunity to push for greater educational freedoms this year. National School Choice Week.

“In this coming legislative session, we will put power back in the hands of parents so they can choose the educational path that best supports their child's development,” said Governor Kay Ivey.

We are proud to declare this week as Alabama School Choice Week.

In this Congress, we will put power back in the hands of parents, allowing them to choose the educational path that best supports their child's development. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/O8QXU3EopS

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) January 21, 2024

Ivey also spoke at a rally Monday on the steps of the state Capitol in Montgomery, where she laid out specifically what she would like school choice legislation to look like in the next Congress.

“My top priorities in this coming Congress are: [an] My education savings account bill is over the finish line,” she said. “This is important legislation that will empower Alabama students and parents, and I look forward to signing this landmark bill and giving parents more rights in their children’s education.” ”

We will fully support you in choosing a school.

Providing a strong educational foundation for all children, regardless of their zip code, is critical to our state's future success.

This morning, I celebrated Alabama School Choice Week with students, parents, and families. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/ni3rhCBmy3

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) January 22, 2024

The governor's statement appears to lend some support to a bill planned to be introduced by state Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity), who also spoke at Monday's rally.

“Education is not the primary responsibility of government,” Yarbrough said. “That's Marxism. It's the first responsibility of parents. If we wake up to the reality of education that exists today, if performance is declining, it's because we the people are aware that the government is not our parents. Because we have allowed ourselves to become customers of education.”

Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is also pushing for School Choice Week and said she will do whatever she can to support the effort in Congress.

RELATED: Will real school choice finally come to Alabama in 2024?

“School choice means educational freedom,” Britt said. “This allows families to make important decisions that help their children grow, achieve, and secure a bright future. Every student and every family's situation is different. Every student's situation is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to what is best for an education. For some, it's a traditional local public school. For others, it's a public magnet school, charter school, vocational school, or private school. The options may be school, parochial school, home school, or a combination of these.”

The senator believes that giving parents more control over their children's education is the best way to reform education in Alabama and across the nation.

“This week, let's recommit to putting parents back in the driver's seat so they can make the best decisions for their children's education,” she urged. “I will continue to fight for educational freedom and opportunity so that every child in Alabama and across the country can achieve the American Dream.”

this national #SchoolChoiceWeek, I'm proud to celebrate educational freedom with families across America. As a nation, let's recommit to putting parents back in the driver's seat, empowering them to make the best decisions about their children's education. pic.twitter.com/Cq2MmlEmPJ

— Sen. Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) January 22, 2024

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) agreed with his Senate colleagues, saying, “School choice gives parents, not the government, the power to decide their child's educational future.” .

This week I am proud to celebrate the National #SchoolChoiceWeek.

School choice allows parents, rather than the government, to decide on their child's educational future. pic.twitter.com/jAh86Z7b5F

— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) January 21, 2024

Yaffee is a contributor to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee