American Federation for Children

Results indicate that the increased competitive pressure public schools faced following the introduction of Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program led to general improvements in their performance. Both expanded access to private school options and greater variety of options that students have in terms of the religious (or secular) affiliations of private schools are positively associated with public-school students’ test scores following the introduction of the FTC program.

Gov.-elect Rick Scott will continue to push public funds to private schools through vouchers, charter schools and the Voluntary Pre-K Program. These Jeb Bush-era reforms coincided with laws to grade public schools and expand standardized tests such as the FCAT. The Foundation for Florida’s Future, chaired by Bush, parallels Scott’s education policies.