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Leadership
Your Governor:
Ron DeSantis (R) (100)
First term began in 2019 (two-term limit). Re-elected in 2022.
Governor DeSantis’s leadership has resulted in major expansions of programs that accelerate and expand parent power in The Sunshine State. While he’s taken heat for other efforts, most parents are thrilled by the millions of new opportunities his efforts have resulted in and despite a presidential distraction, it doesn’t look like the Governor is ready to slow down when it comes to continued innovation in the area of education.
STATE LEGISLATURE:
Both chambers are a majority pro-parent power and typically join the Governor in his efforts to improve education options for students. The number of bills that were passed are a testament to the commitment that the executive and legislative bodies have made to put students first.
Constitutional Issues
Florida's Blaine Amendment has been interpreted as prohibitive of using public funds for private schools and has been used twice to strike down an Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Transparency
Florida does an exemplary job at providing information that is accessible to education stakeholders. School and district report cards are easy to access from Florida’s Department of Education homepage under the “Explore → School Accountability” tab. School report cards feature a summative grade at the top, offering parents a clear overview of each school's performance. They are comprehensive, covering performance, attendance, graduation, per-pupil expenditure, and other essential data. A zip code search feature allows families to easily compare nearest schools.
Information on K-12 scholarship programs and charter schools are easily found under “Divisions → School Choice.” Each program page provides parents with program overviews, facts, direct links to scholarship administration organizations, and FAQs, making it easy for families to understand and apply for choice options.
School board elections in Florida align with the general election cycle, empowering parents with greater influence in their decision-making due to increased voter turnout.