Advocates for school choice, including Republican U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, launched a national tour in Tampa to promote a proposed federal bill. The bill would offer federal tax credits to individuals who donate to school choice programs, helping students access educational options beyond traditional public schools.
Anthony J. de Nicola, chairman of the Invest in Education Foundation, a national group supporting school choice, said the federal bill aims to build on Florida’s progress by increasing the available funding for scholarships. These scholarships would help students attend schools outside the public school system.
In 2023, Florida became a leader in school choice, eliminating financial restrictions and enrollment caps. The program has since seen rapid growth.
De Nicola also mentioned that former President Donald Trump has expressed support for the federal bill, which would extend a similar program to about 2 million students across the country. This would allow Florida families to use scholarships for tutoring, special needs services, technology, and more.
“Every child in America deserves access to a great education, no matter their zip code,” de Nicola said. “School choice is about fairness and equality. It gives parents the power to choose the best educational options for their children.”
Moody, a co-sponsor of the bill, called Florida’s program a “blueprint” for the nation. “Florida is willing to think outside the box,” she said. “We know that doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity.”
Critics of the bill argue it would divert tax dollars from district-run public schools to private and religious schools. However, John Kirtley, founder of Step Up For Students, who started a scholarship fund for low-income students in Tampa Bay in the late 1990s, defended the idea. He said Florida has created a model to reform public education.
“Public education in Florida used to be a closed system of uniform schools run by the district, assigning kids by zip code,” Kirtley said. “That system worked for many, but Florida is diverse. In Miami-Dade, the state’s largest district, over 100 languages are spoken. Expecting a one-size-fits-all approach to meet the needs of every student is unrealistic.”
U.S. Senator Rick Scott and U.S. Representative Laurel Lee, both Republicans, voiced their support for the bill in video messages.
“Families work every day to make sure their children get an education that fits their needs, whether it’s a local public school, charter school, or private school,” Scott said.
