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. |
