TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited Tampa Charter School on Wednesday along with Sens. Ashley Moody and Laurel Lee. McMahon touted the new federal tax credit that became law when President Donald Trump signed one big beautiful bill last month.
The new tax credit is an effort to attract more donors for the scholarship to support families who want alternative options outside of their neighborhood public schools.
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“Parents should also be in the driver’s seat when it comes to opportunities and choices. All students deserve a shot of success and children should not be tied to schools that have failed,” McMahon said.
McMahon gave a speech at Brooks Debartoro University High School. She explained how she felt about the school’s option scholarship.
“To support families who choose private schools and educational options that best meet their children’s needs,” McMahon said.
McMahon has announced that the federal government will provide $1 credit for $1,700 per individual taxpayer. Donations must be made to federally recognized nonprofits that grant scholarships to students.
Senator Moody told the audience the program is different from a publicly funded voucher program.
“This is not federal dollars. What is spent on these tax credit scholarships is private donations. It encourages people to give,” Moody said.
These scholarships can pass to almost any income level, and funds can be used in addition to tuition fees, transportation, books, personalized tuition and special needs.
Public school advocates have expressed concern about an increase in voucher and scholarship programs that will lead to a decline in enrollment, which could result in less public funding dollars.
Moody said she doesn’t oppose public schools and state lawmakers in Tallahassee would agree.
“We still have to support public schools. They’re a big part of the community we live in. They’re a structure of many communities and we’ll continue to support them,” Moody said.
The tax credit program will come into effect in 2027.
In response to this announcement, Andrew Spur, president of the Florida Education Association, issued the following statement on concerns about growing voucher programs and scholarships:
“Florida’s inexplainable voucher system will decouple nearly $4 billion from public education. The impact of this is widespread. Educators and communities are forced to do more with fewer resources, and for the past 25 years, Florida leadership will be taking over the voucher program, while being held in a non-public voucher program, as it has been registered with public schools. Earlier this year, it was discovered that the 22,000 students enrolled in public schools are also the reason charter schools are open. The Florida Education Association believes that in order for all children to have world class access and get there, traditional public schools and public school educators need to ensure the support they need.”
