Florida surpasses 500,000 students in school choice programs under Governor DeSantis
Florida – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated a major milestone in the state’s educational landscape, revealing that over 500,000 students are now benefiting from Florida’s comprehensive school choice scholarship program. Governor DeSantis claims this success emphasizes the state’s ongoing leadership in providing a variety of educational options.
During a news conference, Governor DeSantis underlined the value of these initiatives and highlighted Florida’s leadership in terms of educational innovation.
“Florida is the number one state for education because of our commitment to providing every student with the option that works best for them,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud that we have enabled over 500,000 students to access a high-quality education that fits their individual needs.”
The governor was not alone in his praise. Manny Diaz, Jr., Florida’s Commissioner of Education, also commended the state’s efforts.
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to lead the way in providing the best educational opportunities for every student.,” said Florida Department of Education Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I am proud to see how many Florida families we are helping through school choice programs.”
Following House Bill 1 (HB 1), which Governor DeSantis signed to provide universal school choice across the state, the school choice effort is impressively growing. This significant legislation eliminated the enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options as well as financial eligibility criteria.
It also provided a transportation allowance and raised the annual scholarship cap increase, which allowed the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities to be easily attended by students attending schools beyond their allocated zones.
Moreover, the measure has made it easier for parents-directed Personalized Education Program participants to take part in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, consequently serving mainly youngsters not enrolled full-time in a public or private school. This increasing availability of tools and resources shows an unwavering determination to customize education to match particular student demands and situation.
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During the 2024-25 school year, the state’s school choice programs have seen robust participation:
- Over 524,000 scholarships have been awarded under various programs including the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, and the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.
- 107,000 students benefited from the Florida Tax Credit Scholarships that included Personalized Education Plans.
- The newly introduced New Worlds Scholarship Accounts have already supported more than 30,000 students, providing access to tutoring, specialized curriculum, and other supplemental educational supports.
These numbers not only show the great reach of Florida’s educational policy but also the effective application of several educational methodologies that satisfy a wide spectrum of student needs across the state.
Other states trying to empower families and improve student learning results have praised Florida’s efforts in school choice as an example. The official website of the Florida Department of Education provides comprehensive information on all school choice programs for families eager in investigating the available options.
Such thorough school choice initiatives are expected to have resonance not only inside Florida but also as a benchmark for national educational policies as the state keeps developing and improving its educational options.
