Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Transformational Legislation to Expand School Choice Options
Hialeah, Fla. –
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7045 that will provide more education opportunities for children from low-income families and students with unique abilities. The bill expands eligibility for low-income students, and prioritizes military, foster, and adopted students.
“This legislation creates historical levels of flexibility in both schooling and educational services for millions of low-income families and families of students with unique abilities,”
said Governor DeSantis. “As we have seen for more than 20 years now, these scholarship programs have elevated so many children and families. I am thankful to Senator Manny Diaz and Representatives Randy Fine and Jason Fischer for sponsoring this inclusive legislation to ensure that all of Florida’s students have the best chance for success.”
DeSantis announces school choice expansion for low-income children May 11, 2021 at 12:56 PM EDT - Updated May 11 at 1:51 PM
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday announced major and controversial changes to the Sunshine State s school choice program.
Speaking at St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Hialeah, the governor signed
HB 7045into law, which allows more children from low-income families to be eligible for K-12 private school vouchers, also known as scholarships. We really believe that empowering parents to have the widest variety of educational choice for their kids is a recipe for success, DeSantis said.
WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces school choice expansion
Gov. DeSantis announces school choice expansion May 11, 2021 at 10:10 AM EDT - Updated May 11 at 12:46 PM
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday made an education announcement during a stop in South Florida.
The governor held a news conference at St. John the Apostle Catholic School in Hialeah and signed
HB 7045, which repeals the Gardiner and McKay Scholarship Programs for special needs students, and transition those children into the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program.
The bill also allows more children from low-income families to be eligible for K-12 private school vouchers, also known as scholarships.
WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announces school choice expansion
DeSantis should veto school choice bill to protect kids with Down Syndrome | Column
We must acknowledge there are some things we cannot simplify, just âbecause we can,â writes a proponent of the Gardiner Scholarship.
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Seven years ago when he was Florida Senate president, Andy Gardiner wipes away tears as the Senate voted 39-0 for legislation that offered new post-secondary education options to students with special needs. The legislation was a top priority for Gardiner, who has a special-needs son. It was later named the Gardiner Scholarship.
Published May 11
Updated May 11
Every day as responsible, mature adults we face countless decisions. Many times, during our daily work, we could decide to do something simply âbecause we can,â but instead, we use wisdom and self-control to look at how our decisions will impact people around us. Especially the most vulnerable.
Contentious measures captured most of the attention and media coverage in the recently concluded session of the Florida Legislature.
Polk County’s legislative delegation helped deliver passage of the most controversial bills, which were among those sought by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Republican leaders. The county’s three senators and five representatives, all Republicans, supported an “anti-riot” bill, restrictions on voting procedures and a bill blocking transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams.
Out of the spotlight, though, Polk’s lawmakers sponsored plenty of bills that passed through the Legislature and now need only DeSantis’ signature to become law.