Published News

2019

Study: Vouchers help boost graduation rate (February 7, 2019)- Orlando Sentinel
Governor pushes for scholarship expansion (February 5, 2019)- Orlando Sentinel

2018

Private School Choice Enrolls a Half-Million Kids, & Growing; Florida, Wisconsin Have Top-Rated Programs, New Report Finds (October 3, 2018)- The 74
Education improves with a sense of ownership (May 4, 2018)- Florida Politics
Exceptional education (March 25, 2018)- Northwest Florida Daily News
$30K from Cigar City to fund 4 scholarships for lower-income youth (February 9, 2018)- Creative Loafing

2017

Study: Private school vouchers yield long-term gains for students (October 4, 2017)- Miami Herald
Step Up For Students Announces Record-Setting Support for Children (August 30, 2017)- Florida Trend
Scholarship helps student with autism (August 11, 2017)- News 13
Nonprofit of the Year 2017: Step Up for Students (Education) (June 9, 2017)- Tampa Bay Business Journal
For These Families, Vouchers Bring A Needed Change (May 22, 2017)- NPR
Former Senate ed chair hopes to help Florida voucher schools in new post (April 28, 2017)- POLITICO Florida
The USF student Trump hailed as a school choice success (March 5, 2017)- The Washington Post
Trump offers praise in visit with students (March 4, 2017)- Orlando Sentinel
Trump invited a student to his joint address. Her story says a lot about his views on education reform. (February 28, 2017)- The Washington Post
Judges deny union appeal (January 20, 2017)- Tampa Bay Times

2016

Tax Credit Scholarships save Florida taxpayers $372M, audit shows (November 1, 2016)- Florida Politics
Scholarship program helps special needs student (September 16, 2016)- WTSP-TV 10
Whose Civil Rights? Florida Parents, Pastors Fear NAACP-FEA Will Appeal Scholarship Ruling (September 15, 2016)- The 74
Cristo Rey empowers urban youth with college prep and jobs (September 1, 2016)- The Weekly Challenger
More Florida students using scholarship programs (August 31, 2016)- Florida Watchdog
At 92,000, school voucher enrollment sets new record (August 31, 2016)- Orlando Sentinel
Private schools' enrollment up (August 17, 2016)- Pensacola News Journal
On a mission for Catholic schools (July 5, 2016)- Tampa Bay Times
Creating futures: nonprofit supports low-income students (June 2, 2016)- South Florida Sun Sentinel
Tax Credit Scholarships 'Give New Opportunities' (March 24, 2016)- Sunshine State News
Florida rally extols school choice (January 20, 2016)- Tampa Bay Times
Teachers urged: End voucher suit (January 20, 2016)- Tallahassee Democrat
10,000 rally in support of vouchers at Capitol (January 20, 2016)- Orlando Sentinel
Martin Luther King III makes case for tax-credit scholarships (January 18, 2016)- POLITICOFlorida
Camels, children lead rally in support of school vouchers (January 6, 2016)- Orlando Sentinel
Lawmakers Poised to Pass Gardiner's 'Unique Abilities' Priorities (January 6, 2016)- News Service of Florida
Bill would aid special-needs students (January 3, 2016)- Tampa Tribune
State programs help pay cost at private schools (January 1, 2016)- Tampa Bay Times

2015

Bishop Curry: Scholarships serve 'least among us' (November 10, 2015)- Orlando Sentinel
Middleburg student finds success (September 3, 2015)- Clay Today
Banks Step Up By Providing Scholarships (September 1, 2015)- Florida Banking
More poor students using vouchers to attend PBC private schools (July 18, 2015)- Palm Beach Post
Florida Special-Needs Choice Program Expands (July 13, 2015)- Heartland News
Special-needs funding tripled (July 1, 2015)- Tampa Tribune
CARE Elementary offers Overtown students alternative, private education (June 26, 2015)- Miami Herald
State tax credit scholarship program upheld (June 1, 2015)- Sun Sentinel Jewish Journal
Step Up vouchers give kids hand up (April 5, 2015)- Pensacola News Journal
Program helps families afford private education (April 5, 2015)- Ocala Star Banner
Education Savings Accounts Catching On in Additional States (March 12, 2015)- The Heartland Institute
Some States Put Parents in Charge Of Pupils' Aid (February 25, 2015)- Education Week
Districts prepare for school choice applications (February 1, 2015)- Sarasota Herald Tribune
Lawsuit threatens parental choice scholarships (January 23, 2015)- Florida Catholic
Union to stop fighting voucher-like program (January 8, 2015)- News Service of Florida
2015-16 Pinellas County School Search: Voucher program is expanding (January 4, 2015)- Tampa Bay Times

2014

Teacher's union loses round in fight against tax credit scholarship program (December 30, 2014)- Palm Beach Post
School scholarships challenged (December 14, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
New school aims to make its children 'fully human' (December 14, 2014)- The Orlando Sentinel
Court: Parents can help defend scholarship program (December 5, 2014)- News Service of Florida
Families granted full status in voucher lawsuit (December 5, 2014)- Miami Herald
Judge allows parents to join lawsuit over tax credit scholarships (December 5, 2014)- Palm Beach Post
FSBA, Step Up leaders seek common ground on vouchers (December 4, 2014)- Tampa Bay Times
From Teachers Union to School Choice Organization President (December 4, 2014)- Sunshine State News
Lawsuit threatens parental choice scholarships (November 24, 2014)- Archdiocese of Miami
Tax Credit Scholarship Event Shows Voucher Students are Talented Powerhouses (November 14, 2014)- Sunshine State News
Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts now helping special needs students (November 14, 2014)- WPTV 5
Religious leaders rally for vouchers (November 11, 2014)- Miami Herald
Accounts open school options (November 10, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Student defends Florida Tax Credit Scholarships (November 2, 2014)- News 4 Jax
Debate over special needs voucher program (November 1, 2014)- Fox 35 Orlando
Opening Doors: State-backed scholarships offer help for disabled students (October 27, 2014)- Daytona Beach News-Journal
Special-needs scholarships called a lifeline by parents (October 8, 2014)- Miami Herald
Special needs funding en route (October 6, 2014)- Tampa Bay Times
Florida Parents: Please, Don't Take Voucher Program Away (September 29, 2014)- Sunshine State News
Students celebrate school choice (September 26, 2014)- Florida Catholic
Teachers Union Trying to Block School Choices Loses in Florida Court (September 25, 2014)- Daily Signal
Challenge to Voucher Expansion Thrown Out (September 25, 2014)- News Service of Florida
Tallahassee judge tosses lawsuit challenging voucher expansion (September 25, 2014)- Orlando Sentinel
Florida judge throws out voucher expansion lawsuit (September 25, 2014)- Associated Press
School vouchers suit dismissed (September 25, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Judge tosses suit over voucher expansion (September 25, 2014)- Palm Beach Post
Challenge to Florida School Choice Law Hits Setback (September 24, 2014)- Education Week
School voucher program enrollment surges 14% (September 23, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Columbus student tells of journey from homelessness (September 22, 2014)- Miami Herald
Tax Scholarship Students Keep Up with Students Nationally, Says Report (August 13, 2014)- Sunshine State News
State's new scholarship for disabled kids thrill parents (August 1, 2014)- Orlando Sentinel
New scholarship allow children with disabilities to personalize their education (July 17, 2014)- WCJB ABC 20
Lawsuit attempts to block expanded school voucher program (July 16, 2014)- First Coast News
TFC News Brief: Expanded school choice program sued (July 16, 2014)- The Florida Channel
A Lee Co. teacher claims new education law is unconstitutional (July 16, 2014)- NBC 2
New scholarships available to special needs students (July 16, 2014)- WEAR TV ABC 3
Southern Wine & Spirits Contributes $30 Million to Step Up For Students Scholarship Program (July 8, 2014)- Florida Trend
Step Up for Students Tops List of Tampa Bay's Largest Nonprofit Organizations (June 6, 2014)- Tampa Bay Business Journal
Private school scholarship expansion poised to begin (May 7, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Power of choice leads Tampa student to Ivy League (May 7, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Step up for education (April 4, 2014)- Pensacola News Journal
JLC lobbies for Jewish Day School scholarships (March 10, 2014)- Jewish Journal
Advocate supports school choice (March 5, 2014)- Citrus County Chronicle
Supporting school choice (February 24, 2014)- Sun Sentinel
Weatherford has vouchers in mind (February 15, 2014)- Tampa Bay Times
At Tampa's Academy Prep, House Majority Leader touts school choice (February 14, 2014)- Tampa Bay Times
U.S. Rep. Cantor visits Academy Prep (February 14, 2014)- The Tampa Tribune
Eric Cantor comes to V.M. Ybor to tout Academy Prep (February 14, 2014)- Creative Loafing
Program to give families options in education (February 14, 2014)- WEAR TV
Private school scholarship available for many Hernando students (January 18, 2014)- Hernando Today
Florida family 'blessed' to be apart of scholarship program (January 13, 2014)- Florida Watchdog
Scholarship funds help (January 5, 2014)- Tampa Bay Times

2013

School Choice Proponents’ Challenge? Educating Parents (November 29, 2013) – Watchdog.org
Local educator receives state honor (October 29, 2013) – South Florida Sun Sentinel
Catholic school enrollment grows (September 16, 2013) – South Florida Sun Sentinel
Paying for private school (September 4, 2013) – Daytona Beach News-Journal
Florida School Choice Program Grows 25 Percent (August 8, 2013) – School Reform News
Another School Option (July 29, 2013) – Tampa Bay Times
More Florida parents using state scholarships to attend private schools (July 29, 2013) – Miami Herald
School voucher sees rapid growth (July 14, 2013) – Highlands Today
St. Pete’s Finest: Taylor Barnes (June 14, 2013) – The Weekly Challenger
Donations Fund Scholarships for Low-income Students (May 23, 2013) – Tampa Tribune
Olympic Diver Visits Faith Outreach Academy (Feb. 23, 2013) – Tampa Tribune
Voucher application process starts in February (Jan. 13, 2013) – Tampa Bay Times

2012

Finding the answer in private schools: more students using scholarships (October. 25, 2012) – Daytona Beach News-Journal
Centennial Bank donates $1 million to Step Up For Students program (September 26, 2012) – Tallahassee Democrat
Daytona Beverages makes It possible (September 19, 2012) – Daytona Chamber of Commerce
Prudential donates $1 million to help poor children go to private schools (August 24, 2012) – Florida Times-Union,
Ormond firm elects to redirect taxes to help students (August 10, 2012) – Daytona Beach News-Journal
Demand outstrips supply of Florida tax credit scholarships (Aug. 8, 2012) – Tampa Bay Times Gradebook
Tax credit strategy fuels private school choice push (June 12, 2012) – Education Week
Florida leads nation as school voucher programs expand (February. 4, 2012) – Sunshine State News
Scholarship program growth sought: Q&A with Rep. Corcoran (January 29, 2012) – Tampa Bay Times

2011

Florida Tax Watch Annual Board and Membership Meeting (November, 2011) – Florida TaxWatch Focus
Beacon of Hope awarded national accreditation (November 25, 2011) – The St. Augustine Record
RELEASE: Florida tax credit program receives record donations (November 23, 2011) – American Federation for Children
Bill filed to expand vouchers in Florida (November 16, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship bill filed (November 15, 2011) – News Service of Florida
Low-income students gaining with tax credit scholarships, study finds (September 21, 2011) – Sunshine State News
Study: Florida voucher students making slightly bigger gains than peers in public schools (August 31, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Step Up For Students celebrates 10 years (August 25, 2011) – Sunshine State News
St. Peter Claver school remains viable (August 25, 2011) – Tampa Tribune
Demand for low-income scholarships soars (August 4, 2011) – The Orlando Times
New law boosts enrollment in tax credit voucher (July 27, 2011) – The News Service of Florida
Low-income families lining up for vouchers in Florida (July 27, 2011) – St. Peterburg Times Gradebook
Panel looks for ways to help Hispanic students succeed (July 15, 2011) – South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Scott signs legislation to expand charter schools (June 27, 2011) – TBO.com
Board picks Virginian as education chief (June 22, 2011) – Orlando Sentinel
IASA Recognizes Step Up For Students Program (June 9, 2011) – PropertyCasualty360.com
Donor steps up for kids (May 25, 2011) – Tampa Tribune
Donation goes to two public schools (May 25, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times
Businesses lobby for education reform (May 9, 2011) – NJ Biz
Families vouch for program (April 24, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times
Program helps open doors to private schools (April 17, 2011) – Ocala Star Banner
Scholarship gives low-income students a Step Up (April 11, 2011) – Sunshine State News
Private path to success in school: Black leaders tout the role of charter schools and vouchers for children (April 10, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times
Lawmakers poised to expand voucher programs (April 8, 2011) – News Service of Florida
Vouchers send big money to private schools (March 4, 2011) – South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Voucher bill lets some peek at restricted data (March 4, 2011) – St. Petersburg Times
Florida voucher program set to expand (January 3, 2011) – News Service of Florida

2010

Study: Fla. Tax Credit Program Improved Public School Scores (December 7, 2010) – Education Week
Scott rolls out education plan (September 29, 2010) – Miami Herald
Scott, Sink called on to save Tax Credit Scholarship program (September 27, 2010) – Sunshine State News
Sink, Scott should support vouchers, coalition says (September 24, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Voucher demand exceeds supply (September 14, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
The next civil rights battle (September 2010) – Citizen Magazine
Public education gains from private school voucher program (June 11, 2010) – Sunshine State News
Survey: Florida voucher parents love their schools (June 11, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Study: Do vouchers spur public schools to pick up their game? (June 11, 2010) – Education Week
New Florida study makes it 18-0 (June 7, 2010) – Jay P. Greene’s Blog
New report shows school choice program improves Florida’s public schools (June 4, 2010) – Business Wire
Vouchers linked to school gains (June 3, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
New study suggests vouchers may contribute to improvements in Florida’s public schools (June 3, 2010) – Sentinel School Zone
Is next step vouchers for all? (April 23, 2010) – Miami Herald
Vouchers for 70,000 kids (April 23, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
Video of governor signing scholarship bill (April 22, 2010) – Sunshine State News
Governor signs private school voucher expansion (April 22, 2010) – Sunshine State News
Massive voucher expansion headed to governor (April 9, 2010) – News Service of Florida
Voucher expansion bill passes Florida House (April 8, 2010) – School Reform News
Florida ready to expand vouchers (April 8, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Florida voucher expansion bill advancing (March 24, 2010) – Associated Press
Private schools have fewer students, public schools have more (March 21, 2010) – Florida Times-Union
Bill increasing voucher money passes Senate committee (March 17, 2010) – Tampa Tribune
Senate bills would reduce scholarships, boost private school vouchers (March 17, 2010) – Palm Beach Post
Effort to expand voucher program moves forward (March 16, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Full steam ahead for school voucher expansion (March 16, 2010) – News Service of Florida
Florida voucher expansion bill advancing (March 16, 2010) – Associated Press
Florida voucher bill gets a little less sweeping (March 15, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Vouchers win mom over (February 28, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
A weekend interview with Shannon Coates, a Florida school voucher recipient (February 20, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Area businessman helps Migrant Association Academy expand (February 17, 2010) – Tampa Tribune
Legislature to consider class size, replacing FCAT (February. 17, 2010) – Associated Press
Lawmakers may consider expansion of voucher program (February 12, 2010) – Treasure Coast Palm Newspapers
School for migrant children gets $200K gift to expand (February 12, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
Proposal would expand voucher program (February 12, 2010) – Florida News Service
Plan bumps up vouchers (February 11, 2010) – St. Petersburg Times
Bill would expand ‘corporate scholarships,’ add more financial, academic accountability (February 10, 2010) – Orlando Sentinel School Zone
Voucher backer donates big bucks to charter school serving low-income students (February 8, 2010) – Times Gradebook
New Bithlo school affords help to parents on a budget (February 4, 2010) – East Orlando Sun
Expansions of State Voucher Programs Gain Momentum (January 25, 2010) – Education Week

2009

Congress Considers Cutting D.C. School Voucher Program (December 17, 2009) – U.S. News & World Report
Offering kids a leg up (December 9, 2009) – Tampa Tribune
Private First Class: DCA thrives in struggling economy (October 30, 2009) – Destin Log
Crist promotes school voucher program (October. 23, 2009) – South Florida Times
Crist says education Is ‘opportunity provider’ (October 16, 2009) – WFOR-TV, Channel 4, CBS, South Florida
Should Florida have a tax credit program for public schools? (October 6, 2009) – Times Gradebook
Schooling tax-credit scrutiny often lags (September 21, 2009) – Arizona Republic
Teachers union, voucher advocates to work together (in Hillsborough) (September 18, 2009) – Sentinel School Zone
Florida voucher leader joins public school foundation (September 17, 2009) – Times Gradebook
Schools, voucher program join to help poor students (August 13, 2009) – St. Petersburg Times
A truce in the voucher wars? (August 13, 2009) – Flypaper
Teachers union hearts voucher group? (August 13, 2009) – Ed is Watching
Dogs and cats living together (August 13, 2009) – Intercepts
School owner helps foster parents seek scholarships (August 3, 2009) – Cape Coral Daily Breeze
State helps low-income students attend private schools (August 2, 2009) – Miami Herald
Study finds vouchers don’t make difference (June 30, 2009) – St. Petersburg Times
Insurance Industry Part of the Lesson Plan (June 12, 2009) – Tampa Bay Business Journal
Crist signs bill on tuition increase (June 2, 2009) – Associated Press
Florida Passes Bill Giving Insurance Companies Credit for Vouchers (May 1, 2009) – Insurance Journal
House Measure Fortifies School Vouchers (April 24, 2009) – Associated Press
Even More Democrats Voting for Vouchers (April 23, 2009) – Times Gradebook
School Vouchers on the Rise in Lake County (March 22, 2009) – Orlando Sentinel
Be Them Scholarships or Vouchers, Bill Moves Forward (March 3, 2009) – Times Gradebook
Bill Could Make Vouchers More Available (January 21, 2009) – St. Petersburg Times
Study Touts Benefits of School Vouchers (January 6, 2009) – Tampa Tribune

2008

More Students Get State to Pay Private Tuition (December 29, 2008)- Orlando Sentinel
Vouchers Raise Concerns (December 25, 2008)- Winter Park Observer
Vouchers Cut School Costs (December 17, 2008)- St. Petersburg Times
Florida's "corporate scholarships" save the state money, report says (December 16, 2008)- Sentinel School Zone
Study group: State school corporate vouchers save money (December 16, 2008)- Associated Press
Elijah la Escuela de sus Hijos (Choose the School for Your Children) (December 7, 2008)- Hola Noticias
Gov. Crist Out Front on Vouchers (November 11, 2008)- St. Petersburg Times Gradebook
Low-Income Families Can Choose Children's School (November 10, 2008)- First Coast News
Video Report on Step Up For Students Donor Rally (November 10, 2008)- FirstCoastNews.com
FM Radio Reports on Step Up For Students Donor Rally (November 10, 2008)- WJCT 89.9 FM Radio
Step Up Provides Help for Struggling Students (November 10, 2008)- FOX 30 News
Foes join voucher group (September 12, 2008)- St. Petersburg Times
Voucher army grows (May 16, 2008)- St. Petersburg Times
Democratic Lawmakers Warm Up to Vouchers (May 12, 2008)- St. Petersburg Times
The Fight Is Not Over, Says Civil Rights Icon H.K. Matthews (March 6, 2008)-
Florida Civil Rights Icon Addresses Past and Present Civil Rights (January 23, 2008)- Jacksonville Free Press
Civil Rights Leader Pays Tribute to MLK in Jacksonville (January 15, 2008)- First Coast News