TAMPA,
Fla.—Today, Senator
Ashley Moody joined local
officials and parents’ groups to discuss how her co-sponsored legislation, the
Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), would empower Florida parents to
choose the best school for their children. Senator Moody was joined by the
Invest in Education Foundation, an organization that advocates and educates on
the topic of school choice.
Senator
Ashley Moody said,
“Student needs, not zip codes, should drive opportunities for student success.
The Educational Choice for Children Act empowers parents by supporting
scholarships across the country. Ultimately, school choice can provide children
in Florida and nationwide the brightest possible future.”
The
Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) is a federal tax credit scholarship
bill that would help as many as two million students access a school or
education service of their parents’ choice. Scholarships are funded with
private donations, not federal money, and donors receive a federal tax credit.
Students could use scholarships for tuition, tutoring to address learning loss,
special needs services, or education technology.
In
2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that broadened school choice in the
state, removing financial eligibility requirements and enrollment caps and
making all K-12 students eligible for private school scholarships. The bill
also introduced Education Savings Accounts, which cover expenses such as
curriculum materials and specialized services. Federal school choice
legislation like the ECCA would complement these existing programs by providing
additional funding and expanding access to educational options for all
families, particularly through providing funding for tax credits to ease
financial burdens on parents.
Senator
Rick Scott said, “We’re
working each and every day to ensure our children get an education that best
fits their needs and sets them up for success. Whether it be a local public
school, charter school, private or religious school, I’m a strong believer that
every Floridian and American should have the choice. That is why, as Florida’s
United States Senator, I am proud to fight to ensure our students, parents and
teachers have the tools they need for success.”
Representative
Laurel Lee said, “The
topic of empowering parents and investing in education is such an important
subject, especially today. As a mother, I understand the importance of wanting
quality educational options for my children. Every child in America deserves
access to a great education, regardless of their zip code. School choice puts
parents in the driver’s seat and empowers them to choose the best educational
option for their children. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Educational
Choice for Children Act. This bill is crucial to help expand school choice for
as many as two million students across all 50 states, making a lasting,
positive impact on their education outcomes.”
Several
other school choice advocates also spoke at the event in Tampa:
“Every
child deserves access to a high-quality education, no matter their zip code or
income level,” said John Kirtley, Board Chair of Step Up for Students.
“Educational choice empowers families to find the learning environment that
best fits their child’s needs – whether that’s a public, charter, private or
home school.”
“School
choice has made a monumental impact on my life,” said Ashley Elliott,
Future Leaders Fellowship Coordinator for American Federation for Children.
“Without programs like the ECCA or Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, it would be
more likely that I would be in jail rather than graduating high school or much
less going to college. I hope to one day see every child in America have access
to school choice so that they can all achieve the brightest possible futures.”
“I
am forever grateful that my parents prioritized giving my siblings and me
access to the education that was best for each of our individual needs,” said Hera
Varmah, Grassroots Engagement Manager for Step Up for Students. “Nationwide
school choice will allow all children across the country this same opportunity,
and I hope to see this become a reality soon through the passage of the ECCA.”
A
recent survey shows nearly three-quarters of voters favor school
choice where parents are allowed to choose the public, private or technical
trade school they send their children to.
Anthony
J. de Nicola, Chairman of the Board at Invest in Education Foundation, said, “The ECCA is legislation that
would make a substantial impact on education access for students across the
country. Increasing school choice access is the next step to empowering parents
across the country and providing children with the opportunity to learn in the
environment that best suits them, regardless of their zip code. I am thankful
for the incredible champions that are right here in Florida fighting for that
every day.”
For
more information on the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), please
click here.
View
Senator Moody’s remarks here.
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