When Florida embarked on its education reform journey over two decades ago, the state was guided by a strong belief: every child, regardless of income, background, or location, deserves access to an excellent education. This perspective led to the creation of programs aimed at rewarding high performers and providing targeted support for struggling schools. These initiatives have made Florida a national example of choice for families.
The results have been significant for the state. Families have moved to Florida in large numbers, and the state’s education system has become a model for much of the 21st century. Today, Florida is among a few states expected to see an increase in its total K-12 student population by 2030 due to growing interest in educational choice.
However, challenges remain. Many students are still attending “persistently low-performing” schools that consistently fail to provide a high-quality education.
