The American Federation for Children announced on March 10 that new research shows Florida’s school choice policies are at least 11 times more cost-effective than increasing public school spending, suggesting a model Georgia policymakers could consider to expand educational options.
The findings are significant as they highlight the potential for states to improve academic outcomes while controlling education costs. Supporters say the results demonstrate that school choice can raise overall academic performance and expand access to alternative education options, according to the American Federation for Children.
Florida has spent more than two decades expanding school choice policies designed to give families greater control over their children’s education while encouraging systemwide improvement through competition. Studies examining the effects of these programs found that public schools exposed to higher levels of private school competition experienced measurable improvements in student outcomes. The findings are increasingly cited by advocates who point out that states such as Georgia could benefit from adopting policies modeled after Florida’s approach, according to the American Federation for Children.
Researchers analyzing Florida’s tax credit scholarship program found that the state spent about $2.8 billion on the initiative over roughly 15 years while generating academic improvements equivalent to about 120 additional days of learning for nearby public school students. According to the analysis, achieving the same level of improvement solely through higher public school spending would have required an estimated $31.8 billion, suggesting Florida’s school choice investment delivered results at least 11 times more cost-effectively, according to the American Federation for Children.
Florida’s school choice programs have expanded significantly since the early 2000s, with scholarship and education savings initiatives now serving more than 500,000 students statewide. Research examining schools located near private options found improvements in test scores, attendance rates, and discipline outcomes over time. Education reform advocates say the scale and results of these programs have made Florida one of the most frequently cited examples for policymakers in states such as Georgia who are evaluating how school choice policies could strengthen education systems while controlling costs, according to the American Federation for Children.
The American Federation for Children is a national advocacy organization dedicated to advancing school choice policies across the United States. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the organization works with policymakers and grassroots groups to promote programs such as vouchers, tax credit scholarships, and education savings accounts, according to the organization.
