But it gives supporters a boost in their efforts to use tax dollars to send children to private schools. Voucher opponents asked the Supreme Court to take up the case after an appeals court ruled that the Florida Constitution does not bar the state from sending money to private schools. That ruling came after a Tallahassee-based circuit judge found the program unconstitutional. The case now will return to circuit court for arguments about other issues, including whether the program violates the constitutional separation of church and state. It's not a fatal blow.
Students qualify for the vouchers if they attend chronically failing public schools.
So far, only about 50 students in Escambia County have used tax dollars to transfer to private schools, with most attending Catholic schools. But the program could expand in the future to include thousands of students throughout the state, depending on the performances of their schools. Along with arguing the program is unconstitutional, they say it will hurt public education because it will divert tax dollars to private schools. Also, they say the state has long used similar programs to pay for students to attend private preschools and colleges. Smith said that provision blocks the Legislature from providing free education outside of public schools.