Education Advocacy Group Supports Compromise on Vouchers

It's the final week of session in Tallahassee and the final push to give school vouchers a second chance in the Sunshine State.

An amendment proposed by Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, would change accountability measures for private schools accepting vouchers. The amendment could ultimately bring SB 1512 back to life.

Galvano's amendment would also require FSU's Learning System Institute to measure the performance of students on scholarships on national tests.

Parts of the amendment have won the support of StudentsFirst, a lobbying organization focused on reforming America's public education system. The organization said it backs a compromise using existing parts of Galvano's amendment and parts of the existing language on the House side.

Sen. Galvanos amendment opens a window of opportunity for the House and Senate to reach a compromise on the tax credit scholarships expansion and help low-income children receive a better education," said StudentsFirst Florida spokesperson Lane Wright.

Both proposals would raise the amount of the scholarship and prioritize low-income students. In addition to keeping those provisions intact, legislators should ensure that families can keep their scholarships even if their pay fluctuates above the current qualification line. This will open up greater options to students who need it most and preserve stability in their education.