In 1999, Florida passed the first statewide school choice program in the nation. This year, the program included to help special needs students as well. A sound economy in an era of global competition depends upon a well-educated workforce, which school choice will help to create. These groups, allied with liberal special interest groups, have filed a lawsuit in state court in hopes that judges will abolish the school choice program legislators and Gov. Jeb Bush created last year. According to studies by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and Family Service America, research on the publicly and privately financed choice programs in Wisconsin show positive results.
Parents report a high rate of satisfaction and parental involvement increases.
This is significant because parental involvement is linked to academic achievement. After one year, low-income New York City students using private scholarships to attend private schools scored higher in reading and math than similar students in the public schools. CSE supports policies that will increase competition, innovation and diversity in the education system. This includes vouchers, limited choice programs, charter schools and tax credits. We hope to expand Florida s school choice program to all public schools and all parents.