Halie Wetherington
news@greenepublishing.com
The Florida Department of Education has recently released information regarding opportunities for public schools that fall under the National School Lunch Act by receiving free or reduced price lunches. As of 2019, the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program was created which presents students who attend schools that fall under the National School Lunch Act with the opportunity to apply for the FES for other education options, such as attending a private school.
On Monday, March 27 of this year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 1, “which expands available school choice options for all students in Florida,” according to the Florida Department of Education. The bill, “eliminates financial responsibility restrictions and the current enrollment cap for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Education Options.” The bill essentially opens up the scholarship to be used by most students who wish to apply for it.
There are other factors and opportunities in the FES program, such as the Family Empowerment Scholarships for Students with Unique Abilities, and potential transportation stipends for students who wish to enroll in public schools that they may not be originally assigned to or sanctioned for. For more information regarding the FES program and the new House Bill, visit fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/fes, or contact Angelia Stuckey at angelia.stuckey@suwannee.k12.fl.us or at (386) 647-4655.