ICYMI: Governor Ron DeSantis Announces School Choice Success
January 10, 2025
Governor’s Press Office
850-717-9282
Communications@eog.myflorida.com
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces School Choice Success
Over 500,000 students are now receiving school choice scholarships
Jacksonville, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida has surpassed 500,000 students participating in Florida’s school choice scholarship program. Additionally, more than 30,000 students are participating in the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts Program, with an additional 18,000 students utilizing the transportation stipend created by House Bill 1 (2023).
“Florida is the number one state for education because of our commitment to providing every student with the option that works best for them,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am proud that we have enabled over 500,000 students to access a high-quality education that fits their individual needs.”
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to lead the way in providing the best educational opportunities for every student.,” said Florida Department of Education Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I am proud to see how many Florida families we are helping through school choice programs.”
In 2023, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 1 (HB 1), which established universal school choice. The bill eliminated financial eligibility restrictions and the enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options. HB 1 also increased the annual scholarship cap growth for the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities and created a new opportunity for Florida students not enrolled full time in a public or private school to participate in the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program through a parent-directed Personalized Education Program. Additionally, HB 1 added a transportation stipend to the Florida Empowerment Scholarship Program.
In total, nearly 1.4 million students are utilizing a school choice option in Florida. Highlights of participation in Florida’s school choice programs for 2024-25 include:
- More than 524,000 scholarships awarded under the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC), Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES EO) and the Florida Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (FES UA)
- 107,000 FTC Scholarships including Personalized Education Plans.
- 295,105 FES EO Scholarships
- 121,907 FES UA Scholarships
- More than 30,000 students to receive New Worlds Scholarship Accounts to access tutoring, curriculum and other supplemental support.
- Another 18,000 students utilizing FES Transportation Stipend to commute to schools outside their designated school zone
For decades, Florida has led the nation in providing school choice options for students and families. Through a robust array of school choice programs, Florida empowers every family and every child to achieve their educational goals.
For more information about Florida’s school choice programs, visit https://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice.
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