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WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN AND WHY is public education in Florida continuing to suffer with lack of funds, lack of support and hostilities mounting from so many directions? Look no further than our Florida State Legislators who have consistently redirected taxpayer dollars and consistently maligned public education.

For over 20 years, a private organization has been growing exponentially using direct and indirect funds largely out of public view. This organization, Step Up for Students, is the conduit for an unregulated school system without standards created by the Florida Legislature. It is essentially a money management/marketing firm operating as a non-profit charity. In 2021 the Legislature revised the scholarship program to now include funds directly from the general revenue that result in deductions to each district’s funds. A majority of the private schools receiving public funds are religious schools.

Billions of dollars have been diverted to STEP UP FOR STUDENTS instead of depositing into general revenue to operate public schools.