Conservatively Speaking : DeSantis Signs Bill to Fund Students Instead of Public Schools, Teacher's Union Furious

On Monday, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law what he described as the most significant expansion of the state’s school choice program in its history. The legislation renders all students in Florida eligible for vouchers, which will utilize taxpayer funds to send them to private schools, among other program changes.

DeSantis emphasized the importance of parental choice in education, stating, “Now, primarily there will be a preference for low- and middle-income families, but at the end of the day, we fundamentally believe the money should follow the student and be directed on what the parent thinks is the most appropriate education program for their child.”

However, the Florida Education Association (FEA), the state’s largest teacher’s union, criticized the bill. They argued that it may cause a mass exodus of students from public to private schools and direct state money to charter and private schools that are not held to the same standards as public schools.

In a statement, the FEA expressed concerns about the legislation, saying, “The universal voucher bill signed today by Gov. DeSantis will drain billions of taxpayer dollars away from the neighborhood public schools that nearly 90 percent of Florida’s parents trust to educate their children.” They also claimed that the new law would transfer public money to “unaccountable, corporate-run private schools,” enabling wealthy individuals to send their children to exclusive private schools that selectively admit students.

The FEA further criticized Gov. DeSantis for putting his political ambitions ahead of the interests of Floridians, including students, stating, “We are deeply concerned that children will pay the ultimate price for the governor’s politics.”

Despite these criticisms, DeSantis maintained that the amount of scholarship money provided by the bill is less than the per-pupil funding for public schools. He also highlighted his track record of increasing funding for public schools each year since becoming governor. DeSantis noted that although schools could theoretically be underfunded, “that’s a choice that legislators and a governor would make,” and he has consistently advocated for increased funding for school districts. Moreover, he revealed plans to implement the largest teacher pay increase in Florida’s history for public school educators.

The debate surrounding the legislation underscores the complexities of balancing public and private education funding, as well as the need for states to ensure that both sectors are held accountable and capable of providing quality education to all students. Governor DeSantis’ bill marks a significant shift in Florida’s educational landscape, potentially setting a precedent for other states to follow in prioritizing school choice and parental empowerment.