Agudath Israel Welcomes Proposed Expansion for School Choice in Florida

Florida, already a national leader on school choice, is set to further expand the state’s scholarship program with a bill introduced today in the Florida Legislature. House Bill 1 will expand eligibility to all students and eliminate the waiting list for over 9,000 students with unique abilities.

Agudath Israel has been an integral part of the state’s school choice coalition almost since its inception. Since that time, the number of students served has grown exponentially, and includes thousands of families choosing Jewish day schools. The new proposal, introduced by Representative Kaylee Tuck (R- Lake Placid), prioritizes low-income families, but expands eligibility to all K-12 students in the state.

“House Bill 1,” said Rabbi Moshe Matz, Agudath Israel of Florida’s executive director, “gives every parent the ability to choose the educational setting that best meets the unique needs of his or her child. Agudath Israel commends House Speaker Paul Renner for prioritizing this important bill.”

“Almost 25 years ago, under the direction of Governor Jeb Bush, Florida became a leader in educational freedom and opportunity by starting the school choice movement. It’s time to finish the job. The Florida House is dedicated to expanding choice to every student in Florida,” said House Speaker Paul Renner in a statement.