During the K-12 years all children are assured of an education at public expense. However, during K-12 Florida reverses the way in which it appropriates the funds. Instead of earmarking the funds for the children and letting the parents decide where to use them, they are earmarked to the nearest public school and are typically forfeited if the parents want their children to learn anywhere else.
In other words, tuition vouchers, which are the primary way in which Florida funds education before Kindergarten and after grade 12, are almost entirely banished during the children’s most formative years. The reasons for this complete reversal are political as distinct from principled. You may learn all about that by visiting Floridians for School Choice.
The idea that our tax dollars should be allowed to follow children to good public or private K-12 schools – just as they do to good public or private preschools and colleges – has now gained more ground in Florida than in any other state. The McKay Scholarships and Corporate Tax Credit Scholarships are great examples of that. No Child Left Behind offers many families the possibility of a different public school or free tutoring while at the same school. Charter Schools and Magnet Schools are yet another public school alternative for some families. Still, most families do not yet have a real choice over where their children will learn.
To get a summary of each option, just click on its heading under Education Choice - Grades K to 12 on the Home page. |
