Governor DeSantis Continues to Empower Students and Families
ALEC was thrilled to have Florida Governor Ron DeSantis join us at our 48th Annual Meeting. In his remarks, Governor DeSantis discussed Florida’s unique approach to education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, school districts and policymakers are grappling with public health policies and mandates. But in Florida, parents have been empowered to make these decisions, rather than local bureaucrats or school boards.
Florida has historically been a national leader in parental choice, boasting a variety of policies like education savings accounts, tax credit scholarships, and open enrollment that allow families to make personalized decisions around their child’s education. Governor DeSantis noted how successful these policies have been for the state, highlighting Miami-Dade County where over 70% of students do not attend the school they are zoned for, as the highest performing urban school district in the United States.
The Governor perhaps put it best by saying he “won’t prevent parents from doing what they think is best.” His focus on students, not systems, has ensured that Florida’s kids are put in the best possible position moving forward.