FOR RELEASE: Immediate
CONTACT: Peter Murphy pmurphy@investineducation.org (518) 369-1154
HISTORIC FLORIDA LAW EXPANDS K-12 EDUCATION FREEDOM
Proposed federal tax credit would complement state K-12 reform for families
Washington, D.C. (March 29, 2023) – The approval by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to expand the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, passed by the state legislature, “represents a historic achievement in the national march to K-12 education freedom and empowerment for families with school-age children,” said Luke Messer, president of Invest in Education Coalition, former member of Congress, and co-founder of the congressional School Choice Caucus.
The expanded Florida scholarship will enable parents of all school-age children to access the best educational option available. Florida’s action also will complement efforts in the U.S. Congress to pass the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) to deliver K-12 education freedom to children in every state by empowering their parents to enroll them in the schools of their choice.
“Governor DeSantis and Florida legislative leaders understand that K-12 policy should focus on the best outcomes for children, not what is best for the bureaucracy or the system,” Messer said. “Congress should follow Florida’s lead and pass legislation to ensure educational freedom for children in every state.”
“Educational freedom is about giving parents access to the most suitable and highest-quality school available for their children,” Messer said.
“Florida, Arkansas, Utah, and Iowa have taken enormous steps this year to bring educational freedom to all children in their states,” said Messer. “But nationwide, we must do better. Far too many children remain trapped in schools that do not meet their academic needs nor are responsive to their parents’ interests. Federal tax credit legislation will make this dream a reality for families in every state.”
The Educational Choice for Children Act proposed in Congress would provide charitable donation tax incentives to generate $10 billion worth of K-12 scholarships to children across all 50 states. Background and details of the Educational Choice for Children Act can be accessed here. The ECCA legislation is co-sponsored in Congress by Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, and Florida U.S. Reps. John Rutherford, Maria Elvira Salazar, Greg Steube, and Byron Donalds.
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The Invest in Education Coalition not-for-profit organization is supported by private philanthropy with a mission of promoting improvement in K-12 education, increasing educational options, and working to close gaps in educational achievement. Its activities include advocacy in support of legislation consistent with its mission. [http://investineducation.org]