The legislature finally passed a state budget that continues to fund three separate and unequal school systems. Politicians also ignored the devastating audit of the voucher program that uncovered massive waste and abuse. Millions of dollars went missing, as well as vouchers going to phantom students who cannot be found.
The Florida Education Association (FEA) has filed a lawsuit maintaining that Florida’s school choice system violates Florida’s Constitution. The school choice proponents are crying foul.
Article IX of the Florida Constitution requires a uniform and efficient school system that is safe, secure, and high quality. The choice system being challenged in court is none of these.
Let’s look at the three disparate systems:
Florida’s traditional public schools, like those nationwide, have always faced challenges. Many weren’t realizing their potential when the school choice movement began under Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s administration 25 years ago. But rather than investing in improving our public schools, the legislature created and funded an unconstitutional three-tiered system that has further diminished Florida’s public schools.
Perhaps the unequal and unaccountable school choice system could be defended if it were working. But Florida’s students remain at the bottom of achievement measures, while Florida continues to have a severe shortage of qualified teachers. A recent report in USA Today (May 21, 2026) cited a study from Harvard and Stanford involving 35 million students in grades 3-8 from 2022-2025. Out of 35 states, Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading, noting that scores have been falling since 2022.
The school choice debate revolves around one’s understanding of the purpose of public education. Public school proponents view education as a public good, with public funds used to create informed citizens, giving every child the opportunity to reach their full potential. The school choice proponents’ view education as a personal privilege, where parents may use public money to choose what they believe is best for their child.
We’ll see if the courts find Florida’s separate and unequal three-tiered system unconstitutional. Then billions of dollars diverted from public schools can be re-invested to create first-rate public schools that serve all students, while insuring the future of our democracy.
Sally Butzin, PhD, of Tallahassee, is a retired educator and advocate for strong public schools.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (525-550 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Separate and unequal: Understanding school choice in Florida | Opinion
Reporting by Sally Butzin, Your Turn / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sally Butzin, Your Turn | USA TODAY Network
