Florida continues to expand educational freedom with a universal education savings accounts program.
By Eileen Griffin
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is taking additional steps to further advance educational freedom in the state.
The governor’s office announced that DeSantis signed the “Framework for Freedom” budget with specific provisions for schools and improvements in educational choice, on June 15.
The government-run schools will be provided with additional funding including salary increases for teachers over five years.
The investment in education has been called “historic” and “record-breaking,” Florida’s Voice reported.
Funds Skills-based Training
In addition to support for K-12 schools, the Florida budget also invests heavily in workforce development, including $635 million for workforce education so Florida’s youth can contribute to the state’s thriving economy.
As an educational choice, skills-based training can match real life labor market demands with a population of skilled, employable youth positioned for a sustainable career path.
DeSantis signed a bill expanding taxpayer-funded school vouchers to millions more children, Tampa Bay Times reported in March.
“The State of Florida is number 1 when it comes to education freedom and education choice,” DeSantis said at the signing ceremony. “And today’s bill signing cements us in that number 1 position.”
Religious Schools Included
The new law allows families to use choice funds for religious schools and other private educational institutions. Supporters of the tax credit expansion say they believe parents should be in a position to make decisions about the education of their children. The state can be of assistance by using taxpayer money to support that freedom of choice.
House Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), a strong supporter of educational freedom, told Tampa Bay News it was significant religious and faith-based schools were included the program.
“We don’t want your child to go to a school where their values are mocked,” Renner said.
Education in Values
In a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, DeSantis spoke about the importance of religion and how his faith plays a strong role in his life and with his children The Daily Wire reported.
“Our household is a Christ-centered household,” DeSantis said. “We’re raising our kids with those values. We think that that’s very important.”
Educational freedom in Florida provides a full range of choices for parents, including those who prefer to have their children taught traditional values or within a faith-based environment.
“Florida has prioritized educational freedom and choice for some two decades,” wrote Mark LeBlond for Washington Examiner. “This year they punched it into hyperspace, massively expanding their two main programs—the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship—converting each to a universally eligible education savings account.”
Choice Improves Student Performance
In addition to expanding the choices they can make, parents are interested in improved student progress.
A recent study published by the Journal of School Choice shows a significant positive correlation between educational freedom and student achievement on National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores.
Teacher quality also positively correlates with NAEP scores and gains. However, per pupil spending could not be correlated with student achievement.
Since 1990 when educational freedom programs were initiated, educational savings accounts (ESAs), voucher programs, and tax credit scholarships have all grown dramatically.
Education Monopoly Ended
More than 687,000 students took advantage of one of the three programs during the 2022-23 school year, EdChoice reported.
the educational freedom movement has expanded across the county, wrote former teacher and California Teachers Empowerment Network President Larry Sand.
“School choice is advancing in leaps and bounds, and politicians should take note,” Sand wrote. “Legislators who insist on toeing the monopolist’s party line may not be in power for long.”
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