The Future of Vouchers: Lessons from the Adoption, Design, & Court Challenges of Three Voucher Programs in Florida

Researchers conducted a review of political and demographic factors that have led Florida to support privatization of the educational system through the use of three types of vouchers:

• Opportunity vouchers can be used at public or private schools. State funding provides $4,200; it is used by 763 students. This voucher can be used by students attending schools with low test scores
   
• McKay vouchers are only for disabled students with an IEP. It provides 15,000 students with between $4,805 and $20,703 in assistance each. It is funded by the state for use at public or private schools
   
• Corporate Tax Credit vouchers can be used only at private schools by low-income students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches. It provides 10,000 students with $3,500 in assistance each. It is funded by the state and by corporate donations to non-profit scholarships funding organizations

The researchers sought to determine the factors conducive to the adoption of privatized education through these vouchers, which in Florida was accompanied by a larger effort to hold schools accountable. They determined that key factors were weak of union affiliation and unified Republican leadership and governance.