Foundation for Florida’s Future Applauds Expansion of FES Program to Include Additional Students with Unique Abilities

“Lawmakers took quick action this week to respond to the growing demand for parental choice in our state by funding thousands of additional students under the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities program.

“Florida continues to lead the nation in school choice because our leaders continue to step up for families demanding it.

“We thank Gov. DeSantis, House Speaker Renner and Senate President Passidomo for including this issue in this week’s Special Session. We also thank Sen. Jay Collins and Rep. Josie Tomkow for carrying the legislation.”

GET THE FACTS

• The proposal effectively lifts a cap this school year on students who receive education savings accounts under the “Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities.”
• Under a formula in the existing law, the program was “capped” at 40,913 students this year, up from 26,500 students during the 2022-2023 school year.
• The program’s “cap” grows by 3% of the population of public school special needs students each year.
• Under the changes just passed, the legislature granted the Department of Education and Scholarship Funding Organizations the fiscal authority they need to fund more students.