Gov. Scott Signs Legislation Expanding Educational Options, Increasing K-12 Funding

Yesterday evening, Governor Rick Scott signed several pieces of education-related legislation into law, including bills expanding educational choice and increasing the state’s K-12 education budget.

“Empowering parents with educational choices ensures all Florida students receive access to a quality education. 

“With the signing of House Bill 15 and House Bill 3A, Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature demonstrated their commitment to improving educational outcomes for each and every child. Because of their strong leadership, Florida continues to lead the nation in providing a diversity of educational settings that prepare students for long-term success.” – Patricia Levesque, Foundation for Florida’s Future Executive Director

Championed by Sen. David Simmons, Sen. Denise Grimsley, Sen. Kelli Stargel, Rep. Jennifer Sullivan and Rep. Jason Fischer, House Bill 15 extends the Gardiner Scholarship program to Florida students with rare diseases, anaphylaxis, a traumatic brain injury and students who are deaf, visually impaired, dual-sensory impaired, hospitalized or homebound.

The scholarship program, which provides students with access to a customized education, is currently serving more than 7,500 Florida children with unique abilities.

The legislation also increases the scholarship amount to each student currently participating in Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which serves students from low-income families.

More than 98,000 Florida students participate in this program, which has a proven track record of educational gains for students and fiscal savings for Florida’s taxpayers.

House Bill 3A increases K-12 education funding by $100 per student, which marks the highest per-student funding level in Florida’s history.