"Step Up For Students" policy and public affairs director Ron Matus argued that rural families would benefit from school choice policies in a commentary article for The 74 published on January 25.
"Private schools have emerged all over rural Florida, with students from working-class families using state-funded choice scholarships," Matus wrote. While he concedes that rural areas have unique challenges, including a lack of transportation options and education resources, he also states that school choice policies can help to address them. Matus also praises Florida's tax credit scholarship program which, according to EdChoice, "offers a tax credit on corporate income taxes and insurance premium taxes for donations to scholarship-funding organizations (SFOs), nonprofits that provide private schools scholarships for low-income students and children in foster care". EdChoice reported that, in the 2021-22 school year, 85,612 students participated in the program, with 62% of families income-eligible. 1,990 Florida schools took part with an average scholarship value of $6,644. The scholarship also allowed students to receive transportation grants valued at up to $750.
One of the schools that Matus uses as an example, Naples' Mason Classical Academy charter school, received an "A" rating from the state of Florida in 2019. He argues that such schools offer parents more options and can help to promote competition and innovation in education. Matus also states that some rural Florida areas have implemented inter-district open enrollment policies, which allow students to attend schools outside of their district.
Matus also discusses the impact of school choice on academic outcomes, citing evidence suggesting that choice programs have a positive effect on student achievement. However, he acknowledges that rural areas have education-related challenges beyond school choices, such as needing more broadband access and the recruitment and retention of high-quality teachers. Matus suggests that policymakers can work to address these issues while also promoting school choice in rural areas.
EdChoice describes education savings accounts (ESAs) as accounts where the government grants parents a certain amount of funds for use in a private school, homeschooling, online learning, or approved learning circumstances. In some instances, ESAs will allow for part-time public school courses and private school courses, including a trade school or an apprenticeship.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has recently started to promote ESAs at school rallies.
"Public schools play an essential role in our state," Abbott said during a rally at Central Texas Christian School in Temple on Monday. "They educate our future entrepreneurs, scientists, and leaders. We must ensure that our education system works for every child. Parents also deserve education freedom. Without it, some parents are hindered in helping their children succeed. That must change this year."
Abbott called on the state legislature to cooperate and pass a bill in support of boosting funding for both public schools and parents' educational freedom while also promoting pay raises for teachers. According to the Governor, the best way to give parents more freedom in education is with ESAs. Abbott also expressed his plans to work with the legislature to pass an ESA program. While Texas currently has a limited ESA program for special needs students, which the Governor plans to increase funding to, he also wants to expand a similar program to all Texas families.