The American Federation for Children announced on March 10 that new research finds Florida’s school choice policies are at least 11 times more cost-effective than increasing public school spending, offering a model Tennessee lawmakers could consider to expand education freedom.
The findings are significant as policymakers in states like Tennessee debate approaches to education reform. The research suggests that expanding school choice programs may deliver greater academic gains per dollar spent compared to traditional increases in public school funding.
Florida’s school choice expansion, particularly the state’s tax credit scholarship program, has been the subject of multiple academic studies examining the effects of school choice policies in the United States. The program was created to give families additional schooling options while introducing competition with traditional public school systems. Researchers studying the program’s long-term effects reported that public schools facing higher levels of competition from private school choice options showed measurable changes in student outcomes. The research cited Florida’s experience as a case study referenced in policy discussions in states such as Tennessee considering education reforms, according to the American Federation for Children.
The analysis compared two policy approaches using Florida data over a 15-year period: expanding school choice through the state’s tax credit scholarship program and increasing general public school spending. According to the report, Florida spent about $2.8 billion on the scholarship program during that time, and researchers estimated the policy generated competitive pressure that corresponded with public school students gaining the equivalent of about 120 additional days of learning. The researchers estimated achieving the same level of academic improvement through increased public school spending would have required approximately $31.8 billion, according to the American Federation for Children.
Florida’s tax credit scholarship program began with about 15,000 participating students during the 2002–03 school year. The program has since expanded and now serves more than 500,000 students through various scholarship and education savings account programs statewide. Research examining public schools located near private school options reported changes in test scores, attendance and discipline outcomes over time, according to the American Federation for Children.
American Federation for Children is a national school choice advocacy organization focused on expanding education freedom policies across the United States. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the organization works with state policymakers, parents, and advocacy groups to advance programs such as vouchers, tax credit scholarships, and education savings accounts according to its website.
