Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the state will participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, which was created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The initiative aims to expand school choice opportunities for families across Florida.
Governor DeSantis stated, “Florida families have access to the nation’s top ranked and largest school choice program. About 1.4 million students are enrolled in school choice options in Florida—more than most other states’ entire K-12 school population. The new federal school choice program will allow Florida families to supplement their existing scholarships.”
The Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit will be available starting January 1, 2027. It allows taxpayers in Florida to receive up to $1,700 per year as a tax credit for contributions made to the program supporting K-12 educational expenses. By joining this federal effort, state officials say they are giving residents more flexibility and control over their children’s education.
Florida has previously enacted universal school choice policies, enabling every family in the state to select from a range of educational settings including private schools, charter schools, virtual learning environments, and homeschooling. Nearly half of all students in Florida now participate in some form of school choice.
National organizations have recognized Florida’s efforts regarding education freedom and parental empowerment. The Heritage Foundation has ranked Florida first nationwide for education freedom for four consecutive years. Similarly, the ALEC Index of State Education Freedom placed Florida at the top spot for three straight years and highlighted its leadership in student-centered funding programs and charter schools. The Center for Education Reform also awarded Florida first place on its Parent Power Index for four years running.
