Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the largest expansion of school choice in U.S. history. The legislation, a top priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, expands the state’s scholarship program to all K-12 students in Florida. It’s nothing short of transformational.
But what does that mean for you and your family? The simple answer is: More options and more opportunities.
Beginning as early as this summer, every student in Florida will have the freedom to access a scholarship enabling them to attend a school that works best for them. If your child is one of the thousands of students with unique abilities or disabilities who were on a scholarship waitlist, there is now funding available to clear that waitlist.
Before discussing the technical details of applying, let’s talk about why this year’s legislative budget proposals benefit not just scholarship students, but everyone.
The House and Senate each proposed a record $2.1 billion in spending increases for K-12 education — the largest funding increase in Florida history. It’s so groundbreaking that both Republicans and Democrats spoke in support of the proposal. So did several school districts.
Students are the real winners, because these proposals simultaneously solidify Florida’s commitment to provide students with every possible option through school choice while also strengthening funding for public schools.
But how is this possible?
In Florida, we have a booming economy, healthy state reserves and revenue projections that continue to shatter expectations. It’s the result of years of smart decisions by elected officials to put us in a strong fiscal position. There is no need to make difficult trade-offs.
It’s clear that we can have both a strong public school system and still provide every student with the opportunity to access a scholarship if they choose. Every child is unique and has unique needs. Let’s celebrate and accommodate that diversity rather than push students toward one-size-fits-all uniformity.
So what are parents’ school choice options? First, you should look into public school choice options in your county — the vast majority of school choice occurs within the public school system. If you decide to look at a private school, research the private schools that are available in your area and accept state scholarships — and be sure to apply for one. If you choose to homeschool, you can participate in the new personalized education program scholarships.
The scholarships are worth approximately $8,000, but that can vary widely by county and grade level. As the Senate and House negotiate their budget proposals, we expect scholarship values to increase slightly for the upcoming school year.
As we enter this new era of education freedom, it’s important that we not lose sight of what this effort is all about: students.
What I’m most eager to see is how these scholarships are used to provide opportunities for students to receive an education that helps unlock their full potential — regardless of what type of learners they are — and how increases in public school K-12 spending benefit all of Florida’s 3.4 million students.
Every parent strives to give their child the best opportunities possible. Now, parents will have access to funding and scholarships that will allow them to give their child an educational foundation that serves as a launchpad for a vibrant and productive life. If you’re a parent who thinks your child would benefit from a change, I encourage you to ask questions and explore options.
I am immensely grateful to live in a state where our leaders have made education and innovation a top priority. Every investment in our children’s education is an investment in our state’s future.
Let’s continue to keep students at the forefront as we build the nation’s premier educational model.
Danny Aqua serves as the executive director of Teach Florida.
