Victory!
The lawsuit against the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship has been dismissed.
A record of legal documents and media coverage:
On Aug. 28, 2014, the Florida Education Association (FEA), Florida School Boards Association (FSBA), Florida Congress of Parents and Teachers (PTA), Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA), League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVFL), Florida State Conference of Branches of NAACP (FLNAACP) and Florida members of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) sued the State of Florida seeking to end a scholarship program for economically disadvantaged students. Now in its 15th year, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship is serving more than 90,000 low-income children in more than 1,600 private schools.
The lawsuit argues the tax-credit scholarship program violates two sections of the Florida constitution: Article I, Section 3, which says that “no revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution”; and Article IX, Section 1, which says that “adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require.”
The lawsuit was heard in trial court on February 9, 2015 and dismissed by Leon County Circuit Court Judge George Reynolds on May 18th. Judge Reynolds ruled the plaintiffs had no standing to sue. The FEA appealed to the First District Court of Appeals on August 21, 2015. Prior to the appeal, the Florida Association of School Administrators and the Florida School Boards Association withdrew from the lawsuit on April 8th and June 10th, respectively. Joanne McCall, president of the FEA, vowed to take the lawsuit all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. The lawsuit is expected to take several years to resolve.
On January 19th, 2016, about 10,000 parents, students, teachers, and school administrators and supporters marched on Tallahassee in support of the Tax Credit Scholarship and to ask the teacher’s union to drop the lawsuit against the program. The rally was put together by the Save Our Scholarships coalition, Florida Voices for Choices and paid for by the American Federation for Children. Speakers included Bishop Victor Curry, Rev. H.K. Matthews, Rev. R.B. Holmes, Julio Fuentes, and Martin Luther King III.
Oral arguments were heard before the First District Court of Appeal on May 10, 2016 and dismissed by the three justices on August 16, 2016.
Further Updates
On September 14, 2016, the FEA asked the Supreme Court court to hear an appeal of a ruling by the First District Court of Appeal, which held that the FEA, and other groups behind the suit, did not have standing to challenge the constitutionality of the Florida tax credit scholarship program.
The Florida PTA dropped out of the lawsuit on November 21st, while the State and Parent Intervenors filed briefs requesting the Florida Supreme Court dismiss the lawsuit on November 22nd.
On January 18, 2017, a five member panel of Supreme Court Justices voted 4-1 to decline jurisdiction over the lawsuit. The First District Court of Appeal decision stands and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship may continue.
Program Facts:
- As of December 1, 2017: 99,113 students enrolled in a private school using a scholarship. Step Up awarded 99,113 of the scholarships.
- The average participating household earns $32,385, or just 12 percent above poverty
- 38 percent of students are Hispanic
- 29 percent of students are black
- 26 percent of students are White
- 55 percent of students in single-parent households
- 1,896 participating private schools
- All scholarship students take a state-approved national norm-referenced test
- All test scores are reported to the Learning Systems Institute at Florida State University
- School gain scores are made public if the school has at least 30 scholarship students
- All schools receiving $250,000, or more, in scholarships are required to submit a financial report by an independent CPA to the state
Important Links:
Independent Studies
Government Reports
Financial Reports
Contact Public and Policy Affairs
Program Background
The scholarship was enacted in 2001 and began serving scholarships to low-income children in 2002. For the 2020-21 school year, the program provided $539 million in scholarships to 99,113 low-income and working-class children in more than 1,600 private schools. Step Up provided 99,113 of those scholarships worth up to averaging between $6,673 to $7,169 depending on grade and county of residence. AAA Scholarships has not yet released enrollment statistics.
Scholarships are all funded by private tax-credited corporate contributions. No direct tax dollars are used to fund the scholarship program. Companies receive a 100 percent tax credit (as opposed to a tax deduction) for their contributions to a Scholarship Funding Organization (SFO). The SFO is then required to review applications, award scholarships to eligible students, and issue checks, to be endorsed by the parent, to a state-approved private school of the parent’s choosing.
Children are eligible for full scholarships if their total household income is no more than 200 percent of poverty, or $48,600 for a household of four. Students are eligible for partial scholarships so long as the household income does not exceed 260 percent of poverty, or about $63,180 for a family of four. The average student lives in a household earning $32,385 per year, or just 12 percent above poverty.
Relevant Case Law
Bush v. Holmes, Florida Supreme Court, 2006: The court threw out the Opportunity Scholarship by ruling that it “diverts public dollars into separate private systems parallel to and in competition with the free public schools” and those schools were not “uniform” with public schools. More importantly, as it relates to Tax Credit Scholarships, the court explicitly applied this standard: “The Constitution prohibits the state from using public monies to fund a private alternative to the public school system, which is what the OSP does. Specifically, the OSP transfers tax money earmarked for public education to private schools that provide the same service.” It went further, noting the law required the Department of Education to “transfer from each school district’s appropriated funds the calculated amount from the Florida Education Finance Program and authorized categorical accounts to a separate account for the Opportunity Scholarship Program.” None of those standards apply to the Tax Credit Scholarship.
Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn, U.S. Supreme Court, 2011: This case is considered a landmark ruling on the issue of tax credit scholarships. The court upheld the Arizona scholarship program by denying standing to the taxpayers who brought challenge. The court ruled that tax-credited contributions, even those receiving a 100 percent credit, are not to be construed legally as government expenditures. In that way, it distinguished tax credit scholarships from direct government vouchers. The court majority wrote: “When Arizona taxpayers choose to contribute to (School Tuition Organizations), they spend their own money, not money the state has collected from respondents or from other taxpayers. While the State, at the outset, affords the opportunity to create and contribute to (a School Tuition Organization), the tax credit system is implemented by private action and with no state intervention. … Like contributions that lead to charitable tax deductions, contributions yielding (School Tuition Organization) tax credits are not owed to the state and, in fact, pass directly from taxpayers to private organizations.”
Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, U.S. Supreme Court, 2002: In a landmark ruling on the Establishment Clause, the court determined that students in a Cleveland voucher program could use the vouchers to attend religious schools. The court found that parents could use public funds to pay for religious schools, provided the parents are making a genuine and independent choice and that the primary purpose is education. It also went further, declaring that voucher programs could not exclude any private provider merely because of religion. Wrote the court: “The Ohio program is neutral in all respects toward religion. It is part of a general and multifaceted undertaking by the State of Ohio to provide educational opportunities to the children of a failed school district.”
Duncan v. New Hampshire, New Hampshire Supreme Court, 2014: The court dismissed a case against a Tax Credit Scholarship program stating that the plaintiffs did not have standing. The court found that taxpayers did not suffer injury or prejudice because another parent’s child attended a private school, religious or otherwise, with a tax-credit scholarship. Read more about that case here.
Rogers v. Boyd, Alabama Supreme Court, 2015: The court dismissed a case against a Tax Credit Scholarship program finding plaintiffs did not have standing. The court ruled that tax-credits were not appropriations and therefor the teacher union could not sue to stop the program. Read more about that case here.
Legal and Supporting Documents
Legal Documents
- Florida Supreme Court declines jurisdiction
(January 18, 2017, A five member panel of justices votes 4-1 to decline jurisdiction. Case is dismissed and the First DCA decision stands) - Parent Respondents Brief
(November 22, 2016, Intervenor parents request the Florida Supreme Court dismiss the case) - State Respondents Brief
(November 22, 2016, State of FL requests the Florida Supreme Court dismiss the lawsuit) - Petition for Discretionary Review
(September 26, 2016, FEA files petition for appeal to Florida Supreme Court) - Ruling of First District Court of Appeal
(August 16, 2016, First DCA dismissed the lawsuit on standing) - Reply Brief of Appellants
(January 27, 2016, The FEA files a reply brief with First DCA) - Brief of the Black Alliance for Educational Options
(December 14, 2015, the BAEO files Amicus Curiae in support of scholarships) - Response Brief of Intervenor Appellees
(December 3, 2015, Scholarship parents file response to the FEA’s brief with First DCA) - Initial Brief of Appellants
(August 21, 2015, Plaintiffs file appeal with First District Court of Appeals) - Notice of Appeal
(June, 15, 2015, Plaintiffs notify the court of intention to appeal) - Order Granting Motion To Dismiss
(May 18, 2015, Judge Reynolds dismisses the lawsuit with prejudice) - Order Dropping Florida Association of School Administrators and Bob Jones as Plaintiffs
(April 8, 2015, Plaintiffs drop out of case against tax credit scholarship program) - Plaintiffs’ Opposition to Intervenor
(January 30, 2015, Plaintiffs oppose motion to dismiss) - Parents Motion to Dismiss
(January 5, 2015, Scholarship parents argue FEA/FSBA lack standing to sue) - Order Granting Motion to Intervene With Full Party Status
(December 30, 2014, The court allows the parents to intervene to defend scholarship program) - Plantiff’s Opposition to Motion to Dismiss
(November 26, 2014, the FEA/FSBA opposes the motion to dismiss the case) - State Motions to Dismiss
(October 31, 2014, The state files motion to dismiss the case based on plaintiff’s lack of standing) - Plaintiffs Respond to Motion to Intervene
(October 24, 2014, FEA/FSBA opposes parent’s motion to interverne with ‘full party’ status) - Motion to Intervene
(October 14, 2014, scholarship parents file to intervene in the case). - FEA et al., Legal Complaint
(August 28, 2014, the FEA, FSBA and others file suit to stop the FTC program)
FEA/FSBA Documents
- FEA Challenges Constitutionality of the Florida Tax Credit Voucher Program
(August 28, 2014, the FEA issues press release about the lawsuit) - FSBA Issue Brief
(September 1, 2014, the FSBA lists reasons for opposition to program) - What are voucher backers so afraid of?
(January 19, 2016, FEA response to #DropTheSuit rally in Tallahassee)
Other School Choice Documents
- African American Ministers Alliance for Parental Choice: A Petition To the Florida NAACP
(May 9, 2016, petition to the NAACP to drop the lawsuit against the scholarship program) - Statements of support
(August 28, 2014, Florida parents, educators and community leaders show their support)
Step Up Documents
- Lawsuit Fact Sheet
(January 12, 2016, factsheet on students, academics, cost savings, and legal issues) - Step Up Fact Sheet
(September 2, 2014, Response to FSBA Issue Brief) - Quotes from the rally in Tallahassee
(January 19, 2016, 10,000 parents, students, educators and community leaders marched on the state capital to protest the lawsuit) - Florida’s changing landscape – Education is no longer one size fits all. Florida allows many different educational opportunities for children. Public, charter, magnet, vocational, virtual, homeschool and private school are among the educational choices available to Florida’s children.
Published Opinion
- Joshua Dunn: U-turn on Vouchers
(EducationNext, May 26, 2017) - Editorial: Celebrating the broad diversity of school choice
(The Ledger, January 24, 2017) - John Legg: Parents must stay up to date in education
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 18, 2017) - Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: School choice is about freedom
(Jacksonville Times-Union, January 13, 2017) - Peter Schorsch: Who knows best, parents or the teachers’ union?
(Saint Petersblog, January 13, 2017) - Julie Delegal: Tax credit scholarship warrants a court challenge
(Jacksonville Times-Union, Janaury 9, 2017) - Dominic Calabro: Tax credit scholarships save Floridians money
(Tampa Bay Times, December 20, 2016) - Dr. Angela Kennedy: Lawsuit Against School Choice Scholarships Puts Children At Risk
(The Florida Sun, December 15, 2016) - Latrina Peters-Gipson: Lawsuit to kill scholarship program will hurt Pine Hills
(Orlando Advocate, December 12, 2016) - Editorial: Tax Credit Scholarships not the real problem
(Orlando Advocate, December 10, 2016) - Heidi Gonzalez: Lawsuit against school choice will hurt children like mine
(Saint PetersBlog, December 8, 2016) - Bill Cotterell: Teacher unions aren’t “evil,” but neither are vouchers
(Tallahassee Democrat, December 7, 2016) - Will Weatherford: Keep focus on helping low-income children
(Tallahassee Democrat, December 6, 2016) - Richard Pfeffer: Vouchers not the answer to failing schools
(Tallahassee Democrat, December 5, 2016) - Joanne McCall: Forget the lifeboats – keep the ship afloat
(Tallahassee Democrat, December 2, 2016) - Richard Corcoran: Teachers union should drop lawsuit
(Tallahassee Democrat, November 29, 2016) - Suzette Dean: Teacher Union Lawsuit Threatens Our Students, Our Community
(Florida Sentinel Bulletin, November 25, 2016) - R.B. Holmes vs. Joanne McCall: Should private scholarships last?
(Orlando Sentinel, November 23, 2016) - R.B. Holmes: Don’t get between me, my child
(Orlando Sentinel, November 23, 2016) - Joanne McCall: Settle tax-credit scholarship lawsuit in court
(Orlando Sentinel, November 23, 2016) - Rev. R.B. Holmes: No good reason to evict poor children from their schools
(Capital Outlook, October 26, 2016) - Ingrid Jacques: NAACP fights hope for kids
(The Detroit News, October 20, 2016) - Ron Matus: School district employees like school choice, too
(The Ledger, October 5, 2016) - Editorial: FEA keeps defying logic
(Ocala Star Banner, September 24, 2016) - Tom Jackson: Appeal puts poor students under FEA’s boot
(Florida Politics, September 20, 2016) - Ron Sachs: FEA lawsuit saddens a loyal alumnus
(Tallahassee Democrat, September 18, 2016) - Pastor Mark Coats: It’s time to stop fighting school choice
(The Miami Times, September 16, 2016) - Bishop Victor Curry: Time to work together to help low-income students
(Tallahassee Democrat, August 31, 2016) - Angelene Dorcelian: League would leave low-income families out
(Naples Daily News, August 23, 2016) - John Romano: Problem is politicians, not school vouchers
(Tampa Bay Times, August 18, 2016) - Editorial: Tax credit program, thankfully, wins again
(The Ledger, August 17, 2016) - Star Parker: The New Christian Black Leadership
(World Net Daily, July 20, 2016) - Wevlyn Graves: NAACP should be fighting for Black parents, not against them
(Capital Outlook, June 24, 2016) - Cheryl Joseph: Stop insulting working-class parents
(Tallahassee Democrat, May 25, 2016) - Jon East: Does school choice harm public schools? Claims fall apart under scrutiny
(redefinED, May 23, 2016) - Sue Legg and Pamela Goodman: Some education choices are just bad
(Tallahassee Democrat, May 20, 2016) - Pastor Mark Coats: NAACP is on the wrong side of the fight for school choice
(Miami Herald, May 16, 2016) - Editorial: Tax Credit Scholarship is worth preserving
(Tallahassee Democrat, May 14, 2016) - Clarence V. McKee: Black Ministers Challenge NAACP on School Choice
(Newsmax, May 13, 2016) - Rev. R.B. Holmes: NAACP should back low-income parents on school choice issue
(Tallahassee Democrat, May 11, 2016) - Jon East: Tax-Credit Scholarships Benefit 78,000 of Florida’s Poorest Schoolchildren
(Context Florida, May 10, 2016) - Lloyd Brown: School choice opponents are relentless in pursuit of inequality
(Context Florida, May 10, 2016) - Julie Delegal: Charity donations, not taxes, should pay for private-school vouchers
(Context Florida, May 1, 2016) - Peter Schorsch: School choice advocate makes compelling case for scholarships
(Florida Politics, April 29, 2016) - Pastor Kenneth A. Duke: School choice suit grave threat for Blacks
(The Miami Times, March 16, 2016) - Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: Fight over school choice is about freedom and justice
(Jacksonville Free Press, March 4, 2016) - Ron Matus: So the teachers union does like private school choice
(Tallahassee Democrat, March 2, 2016) - #DropTheSuit newspaper advertisement
(Tallahassee Democrat, February 4 2016) - Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: Fight over school choice is about freedom and justice
(Florida Courier, February 25, 2016) - Marlene Desdunes: Parents lose if lawsuit against school choice wins
(South Florida Times, February 25, 2016) - Ayesha Williams: Tax credit scholarships helpful
(The Gainesville Sun, February 7, 2016) - Joanne McCall: Florida’s teachers stressed out
(WLRN, February 1, 2016) - Jeff Bergosh: Union doesn’t represent all school interests
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 31, 2016) - Olivia Huron-Schaeffer: School-choice scholarships help parents
(Florida Today, January 31, 2016) - Editorial: Free at Last
(Hamodia, January 27, 2016) - Eileen Roy: A fight for the soul of public education
(Gainesville Sun, January 26, 2016) - Ben DeGrow: Greater parental choice in schools offers real hope
(The Detroit News, January 26, 2016) - Faith Manuel: Scholarship rally was to defend choice
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 24, 2016) - Richard Smith: Vouchers fail students in numerous ways
(Florida Today, January 24, 2016) - Editorial: Leveling education playing field
(The Tampa Tribune, January 21, 2016) - Bob Sparks: Black Leaders To The Teachers’ Union: Drop The Suit
(Context Florida, January 21, 2016) - Joanne McCall: Voucher schools lack accountability for student achievement
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 21, 2016) - John Romano: Private schools get state taxes no questions asked
(Tampa Bay Times, January 21, 2016) - Bishop Victor T. Curry: In Florida schools, some still fight to fulfill MLK’s dream
(The Miami Herald, January 18, 2016) - Rev. H.K. Matthews: Struggle over civil rights continues with our schools
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 18, 2016) - Rev. Manuel Sykes: The march to freedom continues with our schools
(The Tampa Tribune, January 17, 2016) - Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: Let’s help all students learn, achieve
(The Florida Times-Union, January 16, 2016) - For Hispanic Students, Scholarships Expand Hope and Opportunity
(Florida Education Matters, January, 2016) - Bishop Victor T. Curry: Scholarships serve ‘least among us’
(Orlando Sentinel, November 10, 2015) - Pastor Nino Gonzales: School choice expands opportunity for Hispanic children
(La Prensa, October 1, 2015) - Doug Tuthill: Tax credit scholarships don’t hurt public education
(Palm Beach Post, September 9, 2015) - Jeb Bush: The Unions’ War on Parental Choice
(Townhall.com, September 1, 2015) - Denisha Merriweather: I’m living proof that tax credit scholarships work
(The Tampa Tribune, August 30, 2015) - Doug Tuthill: Tax Credit Scholarships help students without harming public schools
(Florida Times-Union, August 26, 2015) - Julie Delegal: Changes suggested for Florida tax credit scholarships
(Florida Times-Union, August 24, 2015) - Gary Chartrand: Lawsuit may hurt many urban students
(The Florida Times-Union, August 20, 2015) - Doug Tuthill: Lawsuit aimed at poorest children
(Gainesville Sun, July 20, 2015) - Carl Ramey: Judicial review of school voucher program is badly needed
(Gainesville Sun, July 5, 2015) - Jon East: School choices help to serve all Florida children
(Sun Sentinel, July 2, 2015) - LuTimothy May: Education is key to community’s blueprint
(Pensacola News Journal, June 28, 2015) - Bob Sparks: Progressive extremism Florida style
(Context Florida, June 18, 2015) - Alyson Hochstedler: Drop lawsuit against school choice scholarships
(Tallahassee Democrat, June 10, 2015) - Victor T. Curry: Judge made right call in the scholarship decision
(Miami Herald, June 5, 2015) - Sen. Bill Galvano: Scholarship program a success
(Bradenton Herald, May 29, 2015) - James Herzog: School-choice scholarships save money that’s reinvested
(Orlando Sentinel, May 28, 2015) - Frank Peterman Jr.: Tax credit scholarships don’t hurt public education
(Tampa Bay Times, May 27, 2015) - Editorial: Scrutiny of school vouchers off limits
(Sun Sentinel, May 23, 2015) - Editorial: Vulnerable students win voucher fight
(News Herald, May 21, 2015) - Editorial: Another victory for corporate vouchers
(The Tampa Tribune, May 20, 2015) - Editorial: Tax Credit Investments: Stepping Up for Students
(The Ledger, May 19, 2015) - John Legg: Don’t Put Florida’s Schoolchildren in Political Crossfire
(Florida Politics, April 14, 2015) - Joanne McCall (FEA): Stop diverting tax dollars to unaccountable private schools
(Bradenton Herald-Tribune, March 19, 2015) - Sen. John McKay: Tax Credit Scholarships give options to low-income students
(Bradenton Herald-Tribune, March 9, 2015) - Jon East: Alabama tax credit scholarships upheld in a case that sounds a lot like Florida’s
(redefinED, March 3, 2015) - Bob Sparks: Tax credit scholarship lawsuit a ‘dead bang loser’
(Context Florida, February 22, 2015) - Mike McCurry: Tax credit scholarship in Florida is a national model with bipartisan support
(Tallahassee Democrat, February 19, 2015) - Jeff Bergosh: New coalition of school board members rises to challenge the status quo
(Watchdog, February 17, 2015) - Jon East: School vouchers make sense – and a difference
(St. Augustine Record, February 14, 2015) - Editorial: Fate of corporate school vouchers may rest in lawsuit that began this week
(St. Augustine Record, February 10, 2015) - Sen. Joe Negron: Corporate scholarship program no threat to public schools
(Palm Beach Post, February 2, 2015) - Sen. John McKay: Tax Credit Scholarship to private schools boosts low-income students
(Bradenton Herald: January 31, 2015) - Hon. Raoul Cantero: Tax credit program helps neediest succeed
(Tampa Bay Times, January 30, 2015) - Joanne McCall: Tax-credit voucher scheme diverts money from public schools
(Tampa Bay Times, January 30, 2015) - Rev. H.K. Matthews: State scholarship issue bring back memories of Selma
(News-Press, January 15, 2015) - William Mattox: Protect progress in any language
(USA Today, January 5, 2015) - Jeff Bergosh: Disrupting the Iron Triangles
(Pensacola News Journal, December 27, 2014) - Editorial: Spend less time in court, more working for Florida
(Tampa Bay Times, December 26, 2014) - Lloyd Brown: What If Big Education Put the Welfare of Children First?
(Sunshine State News, December 23, 2014) - Marlene Desdunes: Tax-credit scholarshps are working
(Miami Herald, December 20, 2014) - Wayne Blanton: Legal review of voucher program is needed
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel, December 12, 2014) - Doug Tuthill: Hostility toward vouchers misplaced
(South Florida Sun-Sentinel, December 10, 2014) - Bridget Ziegler: Voucher policy a win-win
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune, December 8, 2014) - Editorial: Education Lawsuit is Misguided
(Lakeland Ledger, December 5, 2014) - Jason Bedrick: Fact-checking the Sun Sentinel on School Choice
(Education Next, December 4, 2014) - Editorial: Court review of school vouchers long overdue
(South Florida Sun Sentinel, November 28, 2014) - Lloyd Brown: Alienating People Doesn’t Help Democrats Win Many Elections
(Sunshine State News, November 25, 2014) - Lady Narlene McLaughlin: School choice scholarships help kids
(The Florida Times-Union, November 4, 2014) - Inciativa Libre: El futoro de los estudiantes a las urnas
(Diario LasAmericas, Noviembre 4, 2014) - Jon East: Why it is wrong and misleading to call FL’s tax credit scholarship a “voucher”
(redefinED, November 3, 2014) - Denisha Merriweather: How I Learned Not to Hate School
(Wall Street Journal, October 23, 2014) - Michelle Pacheco: School choice scholarships: Not about public vs. private
(Orlando Sentinel, October 17, 2014) - Joanne McCall: Vouchers steer students on wrong course
(Orlando Sentinel, October 17, 2014) - Sen. Marco Rubio: Why I am fighting for school choice, a lifeline for low-income kids
(Fox News, October 10, 2014) - Rev. H.K. Matthews: Tax credit scholarship levels learning fields
(Tallahassee Democrat, October 8, 2014) - Nancy Smith: Current Education Reform Puts Children’s Interests First
(Sunshine State News, October 7, 2014) - Jason Bedrick, Cato Institute: Fla. Constitution, balance sheet back vouchers
(Palm Beach Post, October 6, 2014) - Julie Delegal: Board member opposes lawsuit to stop voucher program, denies conflict
(Context Florida, October 5, 2014) - Peter Schorsch: Florida Education Association’s Joanne McCall is getting desperate
(Saint Petersblog, October 3, 2014) - Bishop Victor T. Curry: Tax-credit lawsuit threatens dream of equal opportunity
(South Florida Sun Sentinel, October 1, 2014) - Save Our Scholarships: Please don’t evict 68,000 poor children from schools where they are thriving
(Tallahassee Democrat, October 1, 2014) - Editorial: Is Florida spending too much public money on private schools
(Palm Beach Post, September 25, 2014) - Julie Delegal: Charlie and the voucher factory
(Folio Weekly, September 24, 2014) - Larry Thornberry: Stick Up at the School House Door
(American Spectator, September 19, 2014) - Walt Gardner: Tax-Credit Scholarships = Trojan Horse
(Education Week, September 15, 2014) - Editorial: Florida’s School Choice Showdown
(Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2014) - Sen. Don Gaetz: Lawsuit jeopardizes the interest of students, taxpayers
(Northwest Florida Daily News, September 12, 2014) - Mitch Perry: Charlie Crist’s evolution on school vouchers
(Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, September 11, 2014) - William Mattox, James Madison Institute: Ending cronyism in Florida education
(Hernando Today, September 11, 2014) - Jeff Bergosh, Escambia School Board: Lawsuit Seeks to limit choice, opportunity
(Pensacola News Journal, September 7, 2014) - Allysia Finley: On the School-Choice Barricades
(Wall Street Journal, September 5, 2014) - Julie Delegal: The simple cure for the voucher-school lawsuit
(Context Florida, September 4, 2014) - Jason Fischer, Duval School Board: Scholarship program deserves praise
(The Florida Times Union, September 3, 2014) - Dale Simchick, Indian River School Board: Florida school board lawsuit an attack on 67,000 poor students
(Indian River Press Journal, September 3, 2014) - Andrew Coulson: Public School Groups SUe to Limit Public’s Educational Options
(Education Next, September 2, 2014) - Editorial: Taking school choice to court
(The Tampa Tribune, September 2, 2014) - Tom Jackson: Big Education sues to defend monopoly
(The Tampa Tribune, August 31, 2014) - Kevin D. Williamson: Teachers Hate Poor Kids
(National Review, August 29, 2014) - Jon East, Step Up for Students: FSBA leader twists truth on tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, August 28, 2014)
News Coverage
- Florida Court Kills Teachers’-Union Lawsuit against Scholarship Program for Poor Families
(National Review, January 23, 2017) - Court won’t hear school voucher case
(Orlando Sentinel, January 19, 2017) - Judges deny union appeal
(Tampa Bay Times, January 19, 2017) - Supreme Court throws out school voucher case
(Florida Politics, January 18, 2017) - Florida Supreme Court dismisses Tax Credit Scholarship Program Lawsuit
(Sunshine State News, January 18, 2017) - Florida school choice lawsuit dismissed
(redefinED, January 18, 2017) - Who says ‘vouchers’ drain our public schools?
(Florida Today, December 2, 2016) - School choice a path to victory in Florida legislative elections
(Florida Watchdog, December 2, 2016) - State, parents seek to end lawsuit against tax credit scholarships
(News Service of Florida, November 24, 2016) - Scholarship supporters ask Florida high court to decline school choice case
(redefinED, November 23, 2016) - Corcoran Calls Out Teachers’ Union For ‘Evil’ Voucher Lawsuit
(WFSU, November 22, 2016) - Richard Corcoran blasts teacher union, taking Democrat Janet Cruz by surprise
(Florida Politics, November 22, 2016) - Richard Corcoran Vows to Fight Against Special Interests, For Floridians in Opening Address
(Sunshine State News, November 22, 2016) - New Florida House speaker calls teacher’s union ‘evil’ for challenging scholarship program
(Tampa Bay Times, November 22, 2016) - Lawmakers return to Tallahassee amid flowers, ceremony, and just a touch of “evil”
(Palm Beach Post, November 22, 2016) - Florida PTA drops out of lawsuit challenging voucher-like scholarships
(Florida Politico, November 21, 2016) - Ex-House speaker: Fight poverty
(Pensacola News Journal, October 5, 2016) - School voucher foes bank heavily on 2006 ruling
(The Gainesville Sun, September 28, 2016) - Teachers union pressing fight against private scholarship program
(Daily Commercial, September 21, 2016) - Florida Families Say They Are Ready for Supreme Court Challenge to Tax Scholarship Program
(The 74, September 19, 2016) - Teacher union seeks to appeal ruling on Florida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, September 14, 2016) - Teachers union appeals voucher ruling
(Orlando Sentinel, September 14, 2016) - FEA Makes Supreme Final Effort to Block Vouchers
(WFSU, September 14, 2016)
FEA Appeals Tax Credit Scholarship Lawsuit to Florida Supreme Court
(Sunshine State News, September 14, 2016) - FEA appeals voucher decision to Florida Supreme Court
(News Service of Florida, September 14, 2016) - FEA appeals ruling on Florida tax credit scholarships
(Tampa Bay Times, September 14, 2016) - Whose Civil Rights? Florida Parents, Pastors Fear NAACP-FEA Will Appeal Scholarship Ruling
(The 74, September 14, 2016) - Public schools war with foundation over tax credit scholarships for low-income students
(Daily Commercial, August 28, 2016) - More Florida students using scholarship programs
(Florida Watchdog, August 26, 2016) - Private school aid upheld
(Tampa Bay Times, August 17, 2016) - Teachers union suffers another setback
(The Palm Beach Post, August 17, 2016) - Court rules in favor of Step Up
(Pensacola News Journal, August 17, 2016) - Court rejects challenge to Fla. school vouchers
(News Service of Florida, August 17, 2016) - School Choice Lawsuit Stalls For Now
(Capitol News Service, August 17, 2016) - Fla. Appeals Court Rules in Favor of State’s Largest Private School Choice Program
(Education Week, August 17, 2016) - Court Dismisses FEA Lawsuit Against Tax Credit Scholarship Program
(Sunshine State News, August 16, 2016) - Appeals court denies tax-credit scholarship challenge, says ‘remedy is at the polls’
(Politico, August 16, 2016) - Appeals court upholds dismissal of lawsuit against Florida voucher program
(Orlando Sentinel, August 16, 2016) - Court Dismissed Education Association Lawsuit Against Tax Credit Scholarship
(WFSU, August 16, 2016) - Florida Court Rules Against Teachers Union in School Voucher Lawsuit
(WUSF, August 16, 2016) - Florida court backs state’s largest school voucher program
(Associated Press, August 16, 2016) - Florida appeals court dismisses lawsuit challenging tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, August 16, 2016) - Florida’s Teachers Union Looks To Senate To Sway Education Policy
(WFSU, June 30, 2016) - Suit may displace 80,000 students
(Tampa Bay Times, May 29, 2016) - Black pastors to NAACP: Drop out of school choice suit
(The Miami Times, May 26, 2016) - Debate over Florida school choice lawsuit hits the airwaves
(redefinED, May 19, 2016) - Legal Challenge to Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship Program
(WGCU, May 18, 2016) - Black ministers ask NAACP to drop fight against Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program
(Florida Watchdog, May 11, 2016) - Judges size up teacher lawsuit
(Tampa Bay Times, May 11, 2016) - Fate of voucher program before court
(Associated Press, May 11, 2016) - Voucher opponents ask to have suit reinstated
(Tallahassee Democrat, May 11, 2016) - Fate of Florida’s voucher program back before court
(Bay News 9, May 10, 2016) - Appeals court considers tax credit scholarship program
(WFSU, May 10, 2016) - Voucher Supporters and Teacher Union Square Off at First DCA
(Capitol News Service, May 10, 2016) - Appeals court hears arguments on Florida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, May 10, 2016) - Appeals court to hear arguments in Florida voucher case this afternoon
(Orlando Sentinel, May 10, 2016) - Clergy, parents back Florida tax credit scholarships before court hearing
(redefinED, May 10, 2016) - School voucher issue heats up, opponents head to court
(The Tampa Tribune, May 1, 2016) - Teachers’ lawsuit threatens school choice, Tampa advocate Kirtley says
(The Tampa Tribune, April 27, 2016) - Tampa businessman cautions against dismantling school choice in Florida
(Tampa Bay Times, April 26, 2016) - Florida appeals court to hear arguments in Tax Credit Scholarship suit
(News Service of Florida, March 29, 2016) - Students March in Tallahassee to Stop FEA Lawsuit
(WCTV, February 11, 2016) - Scholarship students urge teachers’ union to drop tax credit suit
(Florida Politics, February 11, 2016) - Ocoee schools rally in tally
(West Orange Times & Observer, February 3, 2016) - Facing Florida Episode 296: School Choice
(Facing Florida, February 1, 2016) - Florida rally extols school choice
(Tampa Bay Times, January 20, 2016) - Teachers urged: End voucher suit
(Tallahassee Democrat, January 20, 2016) - 10,000 rally in support of vouchers at Capitol
(Orlando Sentinel, January 20, 2016) - Southwest FL students rally in Tallahassee
(News-Press, January 20, 2016) - Protesters decry suit against school voucher program
(News Service of Florida, January 20, 2016) - Agudath Israel Leaders Join Martin Luther King III and 10,000 Floridians at School Choice Rally
(The Yeshiva World News: January 20, 2016) - Why one school made the trip from South Florida to rally for school choice
(redefinED, January 20, 2016) - Tax-credit scholarship advocates target FEA in massive rally
(POLITICOFlorida, January 19, 2016) - Miles marchan a favor del sistema de vales en educación de Florida
(el Nuevo Herald, Enero, 19, 2016) - Video: Alzan sus voces para defender sus becas estudiantiles
(Entravision, January 19, 2016) - Video: ‘Drop The Suit’ Rally in Tally 2016
(Miami Herald, January 19, 2016) - Thousands ask union to end lawsuit
(Associated Press, January 19, 2016) - School Choice Supporters Flood Tallahassee Streets to Demand End of Voucher Lawsuit
(Sunshine State News, January 19, 2016) - More Than 10,000 Rally for School Choice
(Capitol News Service, January 19, 2016) - About 10,000 school choice supporters rally in Tallahassee
(redefinED, January 19, 2016) - Thousands rally in Tallahassee urging teachers’ union to ‘drop the suit’
(Tampa Bay Times, January 19, 2016) - Local parents and students board bus to Rally in Tally
(News4Jax, January 19, 2016) - Bay area students rallying for tax credit scholarships
(Bay News 9, January 19, 2016) - Bay area students, educators head to ‘Rally in Tally’
(Fox 13, January 19, 2016) - Thousands rally for Florida tax credit scholarships
(WFTS ABC Action News, January 19, 2016) - MLK III in Tallahassee in Support of Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
(WCTV, January 19, 2016) - Thousands rally against lawsuit to end Florida’s school choice program
(WEAR TV, January 19, 2016) - All Things Considered: Students rally in Tallahassee
(WUFT, January 19, 2016) - Live updates: Thousands rally for school choice in Florida’s capital
(redefinED, January 19, 2016) - Martin Luther King III makes case for tax-credit scholarships
(POLITICOFlorida, January 18, 2016) - Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarship program to get major boost Tuesday
(News 4 Jax, January 18, 2016) - School Choice Supporters To Bring Message To The Capitol
(WGCU NPR News, January 18, 2016) - Pro-school voucher rally expected to draw 10,000 to Tallahassee on Tuesday
(SaintPetersBlog, January 18, 2016) - MLK III Leads March in Support of Florida School Vouchers, Tapping into Civil Rights Legacy
(The Seventy Four, January 15, 2016) - Thousands to rally for school choice in Florida’s capital
(redefinED, January 12, 2016) - Camels, children lead rally in support of school vouchers
(Orlando Sentinel, January 6, 2016) - NAACP opposes school choice program … for not being universal?
(Washington Examiner, January 6, 2016) - Tax credit scholarship program prompts civil rights debate
(POLITICOFlorida, January 5, 2016) - Hispanic pastors denounce lawsuit against Florida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, January 5, 2016) - BAEO enters legal fray to defend Florida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, December 14, 2015) - Florida’s voucher programs may still face challenges
(POLITICO Florida, December 10, 2015) - School choice scores another legal win in Florida
(rederinED, December 8, 2015) - No summer break for the scholarship tax credit debate
(Bloomberg BNA, August 4, 2015) - If vouchers end, would flood of kids overwhelm public schools?
(Orlando Sentinel, July 14, 2015) - Teachers union vows to fight school choice in Florida, despite judge’s ruling
(Watchdog, June 16, 2015) - Teachers union appeals Florida court ruling in tax-credit scholarship case
(Orlando Sentinel, June 15, 2015) - Florida’s teachers union appeals ruling in voucher lawsuit
(Associated Press, June 15, 2015) - Lawsuit challenging Florida’s tax credit scholarship program continues
(Tampa Bay Times, June 15, 2015) - Plaintiffs appeal ruling in Florida tax credit scholarship lawsuit
(redefinED, June 15, 2015) - Florida School Board Association opts out of voucher suit
(Naples Daily News, June 10, 2015) - FSBA Won’t Appeal Judge’s Dismissal of Voucher Lawsuit
(Sunshine State News, June 10, 2015) - Florida School Boards Association drops out of tax credit scholarship lawsuit
(Tampa Bay Times, June 10, 2015) - School board association drops out of voucher lawsuit
(Associated Press, June 10, 2015) - Florida school boards’ group votes to withdraw from school choice lawsuit
(redefinED, June 10, 2015) - State tax credit scholarship program upheld
(Jewish Journal, June 1, 2015) - Florida judge dismisses lawsuit against school voucher program
(Herald-Tribune, May 19, 2015) - Union-Backed Court Challenges to School Choice Hits Snags in Florida, Louisiana
(Education Week, May 18, 2015) - Judge Dismisses School Choice Voucher Lawsuit
(WFSU, May 18, 2015) - Circuit Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Voucher Program
(Sunshine State News, May 18, 2015) - Judge tosses out lawsuit against school voucher program
(Associated Press, May 18, 2015) - Circuit judge dismisses Florida school vouchers challenge
(Tampa Bay Times, May 18, 2015) - Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Florida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, May 18, 2015) - Volusia School Board members debate renewal of association with state organization
(Daytona Beach News-Journal, April 14, 2015) - Program helps families afford private education
(Ocala Star Banner, April 5, 2015) - Step Up vouchers give kids a hand up
(Pensacola News Journal, April 5, 2015) - Florida union-led school choice lawsuit suffers setback
(Florida Watchdog, March 30, 2015) - Anti-Voucher Lawsuit Loses Key Education Group
(Sunshine State News, March 30, 2015) - Florida administrators group dropping out of school choice lawsuit
(redefinED, March 27, 2015) - Florida school administrators’ group drops out of voucher lawsuit
(Tampa Bay Times, March 27, 2015) - Lawsuit Seeks End to Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
(NBC 6 Miami, March 25, 2015) - Another Florida school board debates school choice lawsuit
(redefinED, March 24, 2015) - School choice legal fight prompts bill limiting lawsuit ability of non-profits that get state cash
(Political Fix Florida, March 16, 2015) - One board, two views, arrive in capital
(Sarasota Herald-Tribune, March 12, 2015) - Volusia chairwoman joins conservative school board group
(Daytona Beach News-Journal, February 27, 2015) - Frustrated School Board Members Form Alternative to Florida School Boards Association
(Sunshine State News, February 16, 2015) - Voucher fight spawns rival education group
(Palm Beach Post, February 16, 2015) - Bergosh to head new school boards association
(Pensacola News Journal, February 14, 2015) - Florida faith leaders call out NAACP over tax credit scholarships
(Jacksonville Sun Times, February 13, 2015) - Final showdown? Constitutional Challenge to Florida Tax Credit Program Begins
(WFSU, February 13, 2015) - New School Board forms
(News-Press, February 13, 2015) - Scholarship Voucher Program Heads to Court
(WCTV, February, 9, 2015) - School Voucher Program May Be in Jeopardy
(WTXL TV, February 9, 2015) - Court battle looms over Florida’s tax credit scholarship program
(Bay News 9, February 9, 2015) - FEA: Tax credit scholarship program unconstitutional
(Capitol News Service, February 9, 2015) - School voucher case in court in Tallahassee today
(Orlando Sentinel, Feb 9, 2015) - State lawyer says union’s case against vouchers just “speculation”
(Palm Beach Post, Feb 9, 2015) - State asks Judge to Throw Out Tax Credit Scholarship Lawsuit
(News Service of Florida, February 9, 2015) - State urges judge to dismiss voucher lawsuit
(Tampa Bay Times, February 9, 2015) - Crucial legal question confronts Florida’s voucher program
(Associated Press, February 9, 2015) - Hebrew Academy rallies for school choice
(Florida Jewish Journal, Feb 9, 2015) - One Lawsuit Down in Florida Voucher Challenge
(Heartland, February 6, 2015) - Voucher proponents take theiri message to Super Bowl viewers
(WFSU, February 2, 2015) - Lawsuit threatens parental choice scholarships
(Florida Catholic, January 23, 2015) - Parents ask judge to dismiss lawsuit against FLorida tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, January 6, 2015) - Raoul Cantero on the legal landscape for schoolchoice scholarships
(redefinED, December 17, 2014) - School scholarships challenged
(The Tampa Tribune, December 14, 2014) - Miami-Dade School Board declines to take up voucher discussion
(Miami Herald, December 11, 2014) - On his way out, Carlos Curbelo wants Miami-Dade school board to oppose voucher lawsuit
(Miami Herald, December 9, 2014) - Court: Parents can help defend scholarship program
(News Service of Florida, December 5, 2014) - Families granted full status in voucher lawsuit
(Miami Herald, December 5, 2014) - Judge allows parents to join lawsuit over tax credit scholarships
(Palm Beach Post, December 5, 2014) - School choice parents get OK to intervene in FL lawsuit
(redefinED, December 5, 2014) - FSBA, Step Up leaders seek common ground on vouchers
(Tampa Bay Times, December 4, 2014) - Lawsuit threatens parental choice scholarships
(Archdiocese of Miami, November 24, 2014) - Religious leaders ‘rally’ for vouchers
(Miami Herald, November 11, 2014) - Influential FL pastors slam lawsuit challenging school choice program
(redefinED, November 11, 2014) - Pro-voucher group pressuring to have lawsuit dropped
(Palm Beach Post, November 10, 2014) - Student defends Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program
(News 4 Jax, November 2, 2014) - Voucher supporters launch campaign against lawsuit
(Orlando Sentinel, October 21, 2014) - Parents ask to intervene in voucher lawsuit
(Orlando Sentinel, October 14, 2014) - Families seek to get involved in school voucher lawsuit
(Miami Herald, October 14, 2014) - Parents intervene in lawsuit to defend FLorida tax credit scholarship
(redefinED, October 14, 2014) - School Board: Let lawsuit continue
(Florida Times Union, October 8, 2014) - Duval School Board to Vote on Controversial Voucher Resolution
(WJCT News, October 7, 2014) - Special needs funding en route
(Tampa Bay Times, October 6, 2014) - New voucher program helps Florida students with special needs
(Miami Herald, October 5, 2014) - Florida teachers’ union attacks low-income scholarships while making six figure salaries
(Watchdog, October 3, 2014) - Teachers union urged to drop voucher suit
(The Florida Times-Union, October 2, 2014) - Coalition’s Backing of Vouchers Highlights Democratic Divide
(News Service of Florida, October 2, 2014) - Duval board member targets lawsuit over Florida’s tax credit scholarship program
(The Florida Times-Union, September 30, 2014) - Florida Parents: Please, Don’t Take Voucher Program Away
(Sunshine State News, September 29, 2014) - Charlie Crist ‘Pathetic’ for School Choice Reversal, Top Florida Republican Says
(Education Week, September 29, 2014) - Fla.’s Charlie Crist on the Stump: K-12 Priorities, Funding, and Privatization
(Education Week, September 25, 2014) - School voucher program enrollment surges 14%
(Tampa Tribune, September 23, 2014) - Florida’s Main Voucher Program Continues to Grow
(Associated Press, September 21, 2014) - School Voucher Program Continues to Grow
(WTXL, September 21, 2014) - Class split: Public-school types for Crist; school-choice types for Scott
(Palm Beach Post, September 20, 2014) - With black vote crucial in Florida governor’s race, Charlie Crist hopes to ignite support
(Tampa Bay Times, September 20, 2014) - Crist meets with angry black pastors
(Miami New Times, September 18, 2014) - Voucher supporters seek backing from Pasco School Board
(Tampa Bay Times, September 18, 2014) - Duval County GOP Passes Resolution On School Voucher Suit
(WJCT News, September 17, 2014) - Duval Republicans take aim at FSBA over school choice suit
(redefinED, September 16, 2014) - Backers call for national mobilization in Florida’s voucher fight
(Tampa Bay Times, September 15, 2014) - Don Gaetz: I’m ashamed of FSBA for filing anti-school choice suit
(redefinED, September 15, 2014) - Charlie Crist sides with teachers union over black clergy in school choice program lawsuit
(Miami Herald, September 11, 2014) - ‘Bumper crop of litigation’ threatens school choice in Florida
(Watchdog, September 10, 2014) - Former CHS principal among others opposing tax credit program
(Crestview News Bulletin, September 10, 2014) - Anti-voucher lawsuit issue keeps heating up
(Sunshine State News, September 9, 2014) - Dissenting FL school board members criticize anti- school choice suit
(redefinED, September 7, 2014) - Voucher lawsuit not going away
(Key West Citizen, September 6, 2014) - Florida school funding under fire
(Courthouse News Service, September 4, 2014) - FEA sues over private school tuition tax credits
(The Alligator, September 4, 2014) - Republican offers to serve as ‘bridge’ to teachers union on FL school choice suit
(redefinED, September 4, 2014) - Latvala offers to work with teacher union on voucher issue
(Tampa Bay Times, September 3, 2014) - Voucher suit, testing protested at Duval School Board Meeting
(WJCT, September 3, 2014) - Duval school board issues warning
(The Florida Times Union, September 3, 2014) - School union files lawsuit against tax credit vouchers
(Suncoast News, September 2, 2014) - Senator declines award from group suing to stop tax credit scholarships
(redefinED, August 29, 2014) - Activists Target Florida School Choice Program
(Daily Caller, August 29, 2014) - Access vs. Choice Part of Dispute Over Tax Credit Scholarship Program
(WFSU, August 29, 2014) - Debate over lawsuit about scholarship grants
(My Suncoast, August 29, 2014) - Private school vouchers trigger filing of lawsuit
(JD Journal, August 29, 2014) - School Vouchers: legal depending on where you live
(US News & World Report, August 28, 2014) - Florida school choice program faces second lawsuit
(Education Week, August 28, 2014) - School Vouchers
(WEAR TV ABC 3, August 28, 2014) - Lawsuit calls Florida voucher program unconstitutional
(Orlando Sentinel, August 28, 2014) - Union, School Board Association Announce Lawsuit Over Private School Vouchers
(WFSU, August 28, 2014) - Teacher union, others sue over Fla. school voucher program
(Tampa Tribune, August 28, 2014) - Voucher program sued by educators and NAACP
(Pensacola News Journal, August 28, 2014) - Opponents of Tuition Vouchers FIle Lawsuit in Florida
(Business Insider, August 28, 2014) - Legal challenge takes aim at Florida’s school voucher program
(Tampa Bay Tribune, August 28, 2014) - Florida’s Teacher Union Says Scholarship Program is Unconstitutional
(State Impact Florida, August 28, 2014) - State private school voucher program faces constitutional challenge
(Palm Beach Post, August 28, 2014) - Florida education groups sue voucher program
(Daytona Beach News-Journal, August 28, 2014) - Fla. teachers union, others to sue voucher program
(Tallahassee Democrat, August 28, 2014) - State teacher’s union pushes lawsuit over school vouchers
(News4Jax, August 28, 2014) - Florida Republicans blast expected lawsuit against school voucher program
(Creative Loafing Tampa, August 27, 2014) - Teachers union to take legal action against voucher program
(Miami Herald, August 27, 2014) - School vouchers: teachers union, school board, to file lawsuit Thursday
(Orlando Sentinel, August 27, 2014) - Nation’s largest private school choice program now under legal attack
(redefinED, August 27, 2014)