Florida struggles with school vouchers as program expands.
Florida struggles with school vouchers as program expands
After families and schools voiced complaints about delays in receiving state voucher money, scholarship funding organization Step Up For Students has started distributing some of the awards. However, not all families have received deposits into their education savings accounts. Step Up officials are working to review the requisitions and expect the majority of funds to be distributed soon. Critics are questioning the decision to suspend four private schools from the voucher program over alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party, calling it a political stunt.
Hot topics
Bid rigging: Governor Ron DeSantis promised to investigate allegations of bid rigging within the Florida Department of Education, but the federal government is now conducting the investigation.
Book bans: Charlotte County school district instructed librarians to remove books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes, sparking controversy.
Free lunch: A community group in Pasco County is working to pay off students’ old cafeteria debts.
Testing: Florida’s acceptance of the Classic Learning Test as a college admission exam continues to generate controversy.
Transportation: The City of Newberry is exploring safe options for children to get to school after the Alachua County school district ends courtesy bus rides in January.
In higher ed
Free speech: Advocates are urging Daytona State College to allow a photo exhibit reflecting on police killings of Black men, after the school canceled the art show shortly before it was to open.
FAU leadership: Florida Atlantic University trustees are considering appointing interim president Stacy Volnick to the job permanently, and have taken steps to prevent the automatic elevation of its vice president to the presidency.
