Gov. Ron DeSantis announces Florida will join new federal school choice tax credit
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida is changing its schools to match a new federal school choice program. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the state will join the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit. The decision puts Florida in a position to take part in a national initiative that aims to improve school choice efforts and give families more options for their children’s education.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the federal tax credit to encourage private donations that help pay for K–12 education. Starting on January 1, 2027, Florida taxpayers will be able to get a tax credit of up to $1,700 a year for money they provide to the program. Those money will help children and families that want additional educational resources, even those who are already using school choice scholarships.
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Governor DeSantis stated that Florida’s involvement adds to a system that is already one of the biggest in the country.
“Florida families have access to the nation’s top ranked and largest school choice program. About 1.4 million students are enrolled in school choice options in Florida—more than most other states’ entire K-12 school population,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
“The new federal school choice program will allow Florida families to supplement their existing scholarships.”
There have been big changes in Florida’s schools in the last several years. In 2023, the state passed a law that gave every family the right to choose any school they wanted. Because of this, almost half of all children in Florida are now learning outside of regular public schools. They are doing so in private schools, charter schools, virtual programs, and at home. State leaders have frequently said that these rules are meant to give parents greater control over how and where their kids are taught.
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People who support the proposal say that opting into the federal tax credit strengthens Florida’s long-standing commitment to freedom in education. The concept is expected to give families looking for flexible learning options that fit their requirements even more support by letting people direct private donations to educational expenses.
Florida’s approach to school choice has drawn national attention and recognition. Several groups that look at education policy and parental empowerment have routinely given the state top marks. These rankings have shown how well Florida does in categories including civic education, teacher freedom, academic transparency, and the ability to choose schools. The state has also been praised for its funding initiatives that put students first, its charter school rules, and its support for homeschooling.
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Florida’s decision to join the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit shows that its education strategy will continue to focus on giving students additional options instead of fewer. State officials argue that this move is part of a larger effort to give families and taxpayers greater power to directly affect educational outcomes, while keeping Florida’s status as a national leader in school choice.
