‘Landmark’ school choice legislation filed in Florida House

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Speaker of the Florida House Paul Renner announced “landmark” school choice legislation had been filed Thursday.

“The Florida way is about expanding freedom and opportunity,” Renner said. “Today we empower parents and children to decide the education that most fits their needs.”

The bill, HB 1, would provide access to education savings accounts (ESA) and expand eligibility to children with “unique abilities.” The speaker’s office said it increases access to innovative education resources and allows parents to “customize” their child’s education.

“Florida has been a leader in the school choice movement, with more students participating in choice programs than any other state,” Renner said. “School choice empowers parents, creates competition, fosters innovation, and raises the level of excellence in all of our schools. HB 1 will give every parent the freedom to customize their children’s education with a learning program that fits their unique needs.”

Co-sponsors include Choice & Innovation Subcommittee Chair Rep. Kaylee Tuck and Rep. Susan Plasencia.

“School choice helped elevate Florida from being one of the worst education states in America to being ranked third in K-12 achievement,” said Subcommittee Chair Kaylee Tuck.

“Empowering parents and students with customizable learning options will not only boost educational outcomes for individual students, but will create competition that raises the bar for schools across the state. I appreciate Speaker Renner for allowing me the opportunity to sponsor this significant legislation that will provide each Florida student access to a first-rate education.”

In response, House Democrat leaders called it an “alarming bill.”

“This is a continuation of Republican attacks on our public education system that helped create the American Dream by providing education to the poor and rich alike,” Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa said.

“Despite the Speaker’s claims of bettering teacher pay and increasing funding, Florida is still at the bottom when it comes to school funding and teacher pay. Florida ranks 48th in the nation when it comes to teacher salary. That is abysmal. We should be focusing on fixing public education, not breaking it.”

This is a developing story.