education, elementary school, learning and people concept - group of school kids with pens and papers writing in classroom
Editor’s note: This article appeared today on 1819news.com.
While the Alabama Legislature continues to struggle with the idea of school choice, the state of Florida has one of the longest records to evaluate when it comes to legislation enacted and implemented for a parental school choice program.
Florida first introduced the school voucher program to parents under former Gov. Jeb Bush in 1999. The state now has over 20 years of statistics, documentation and testimonials regarding how this move has changed the educational landscape in the state.
Alabama lawmakers have been considering the Parental Choice Act (PCA), introduced by Sen. Del Marsh and Rep. Charlotte Meadows, during the current Alabama legislative session of 2022. The bill has gone through multiple changes and appears to be stalled in the process.
Alabamians are taxed to fund the public education system. The current system limits choices for those who cannot afford alternative forms of education, leaving them with only the public schools within their designated zip codes. The Parental Choice Act seeks to allow parents of students to receive access to a portion of their tax dollars to use them for a school option they choose.
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