Foundation for Florida’s Future Applauds the Florida Legislature for Expansion of McKay Scholarships

“Today was a great day for Florida’s neediest students,” said Patricia Levesque, Executive Director of the Foundation for Florida’s Future.  “The Foundation for Florida’s Future applauds Representative Anitere Flores and Senator Andy Gardiner for their leadership in advancing bipartisan legislation to expand educational options for students with disabilities.”

HB 1505 expands eligibility for students in the John M. McKay Scholarship Program.  Under the bill, disabled preschoolers entering kindergarten and students who have been enrolled in a public school in any of the past 5 years will now be eligible for the program.  Under current law, only disabled students who attend public school during the prior year are eligible. The bill also grants the Commissioner of Education the authority to revoke participation by schools that operate in a manner contrary to the health, safety, or welfare of the students.

During the last several years, this successful program has provided disabled students with the opportunity to pursue a quality education in the school of their choice – thereby allowing parents to enroll their disabled children in schools that are equipped to meet the special needs of their child.

For more information on the Foundation for Florida’s Future’s commitment to advocating policies that keep the promise of a quality education for all of Florida’s students, please visit www.afloridapromise.org.