Expanding the Voucher Program
House Speaker Paul Renner introduced House Bill 1 to make vouchers available to all Florida children eligible to enter kindergarten through 12th grade. The bill would greatly expand the state’s voucher programs by allowing voucher recipients to use public funds for more than tuition at a private school and transportation. Families would be allowed to spend the money on home-schooling, college courses, private tutoring and specialized testing such as Advanced Placement exams. “It’s about freedom and opportunity,” Renner shares during his news conference. “We empower parents and children to decide the education that meets their needs.” Critics say that the legislation will hurt public schools by sending money to private schools that aren’t held to the same accountability standards. Hearings about the bill are set to begin sometime next week. The Legislature will begin its annual 60-day session March 7th. At this time, the Senate does not have a companion bill.
By: Kailey Buecker
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