Florida will expand its school choice program further starting next year, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday.
During a news conference celebrating national School Choice Week in Valrico, DeSantis and Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas announced Florida’s participation in the federal tax credit program established by the One Big Beautiful Bill last summer.
Florida’s participation in the program will begin Jan. 1, 2027, DeSantis said. Floridians will be able to receive a tax credit of $1,700 per year if they contribute to the program.
“I think this could be something that’s really meaningful. I think it will supplement the great stuff we’re already doing here. Probably is going to be pretty groundbreaking in states that have not yet gone down the road of school choice,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis made the announcement at Grace Christian School.
“I think this is going to supplement our efforts in a good way. What we don’t want is the schools to just simply see this money is there and raise the tuition. That’s not what we want. We want the parents to actually benefit, so we’ll be watching on that,” DeSantis said.
The state offers its own tax credit scholarship, too. That program provides tax credits for those who contribute to scholarship funding organizations, which then pass the money on to parents using the scholarship program.
For students to qualify to receive funds from the federal program, their family cannot earn greater than 300% of the area’s median gross income. Florida’s median household income is around $76,000.
Families may spend the scholarship on private school tuition, public school tutoring, and support services for students with disabilities.
“I want to commend the president and Secretary [Linda] McMahon for implementing this as well as dismantling the bureaucracy that is the United States Department of Education,” Kamoutsas said. “And by opting in to this program, Florida will now enable more low-income families to pursue private schools, homeschooling options, and other educational opportunities that best meet their child’s needs.”
In 2023, Florida expanded its school choice program, making it universally available. Before, the state voucher program was based on family income.
As of Tuesday, nearly half of states had announced they would participate in the program, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The federal government indicated the program will especially help states like Louisiana and Pennsylvania, which have waitlists for tutoring programs and school choice vouchers, respectively.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
2 comments on this item
Only paid subscribers can comment
Please log in to comment by clicking here.
Kneeds2Know+
DeSantis’ proposal highlights a fundamental and highly contentious restructuring of Florida's funding public services versus private educational options along with profound implications for local government sustainability and tax fairness. It is a major issue that requires a 60% vote for a constitutional amendment in 2026.
The reality is DeSantis is making a move to eliminate the ability of counties and cities to collect non-school property taxes that will strip local governments of an estimated $14.1 billion annually in revenue, and all the while still using state funds for private education vouchers that cost taxpayers $4 billion in 2025. It is about draining state funds from public districts while giving subsidies to those who are wealthy and can afford private schools.
Slashing property taxes will also lead to cuts within the fire department and emergency medical services, libraries, public transportation, road maintenance, sidewalks, water and sewer systems that fall today under those property taxes potentially forcing delays in critical local projects. If that happens, it will also force counties to become financially dependent on the state who would then have complete control as to what work will be paid for and in what specific area. Wouldn’t counties then become vulnerable to political leveraging?
Remember, the state’s money for disaster preparedness and hurricane recovery projects was used and directed at Alligator Alcatraz. If property taxes are slashed how will costs be covered when that facility already requires $450 million a year. DeSantis said FEMA would cover, but that money is frozen due to all the federal legal issues involved. This is a financial burden Floridians must carry. One they didn’t even get to vote on. The only viable way to make that up later is to increase sales tax, hurting low-income families and renters.
The state is already suffering from its emergency monies being used for Alligator Alcatraz. That financial uncertainty with DeSantis claiming it is a state detention property instead of federal, could put Floridians permanently “on the hook” over that additional yearly financial cost (triple the cost of a prison). If it is forced to be closed it will cost even more money. Taxpayers need to be concerned especially since he is doing this to build a lasting policy legacy outlined in Project 2025 and to maintain his national political image for a potential 2028 presidential run.
Thursday, January 29 Report this
RRICH69176
Thank you Keeds2Know....proposals by DeSantis are suspect and yield negative consequences..thanks for pointing out the potential result
Friday, January 30 Report this