Education Savings Accounts and Charter Schools: New Opportunities in School Choice

About the Webinar:

Based on the transcript, here’s a summary for your website:

This informative session explored the evolving landscape of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Florida and the significant opportunities they present for charter schools. Adam Emerson from the Florida Department of Education and Keith Jacobs from Step Up For Students provided a comprehensive overview of Florida’s ESA programs, explaining how these flexible scholarship options allow families to customize their children’s education by directing state funds toward tuition, therapies, curriculum materials, tutoring, and other approved educational expenses. The presenters detailed the various ESA programs available in Florida—including the Florida Empowerment Scholarship (FES), Unique Abilities program, and Hope Scholarship—outlining eligibility requirements, funding levels, and the application process. They emphasized that universal eligibility has dramatically expanded access to school choice, creating new enrollment opportunities for charter schools while reinforcing Florida’s commitment to putting educational decisions in the hands of families.

Emerson and Jacobs provided practical guidance for charter schools seeking to attract and serve ESA students, addressing important operational considerations such as enrollment procedures, tuition flexibility, scholarship administration, and compliance requirements. They explained how charter schools can partner with scholarship funding organizations like Step Up For Students to streamline the process for families, and discussed best practices for marketing to ESA-eligible populations and communicating the unique value proposition of charter education. The presenters also addressed common questions about how ESA funding interacts with traditional charter school funding mechanisms, the implications for waiting lists and enrollment preferences, and strategies for ensuring families understand their options. Attendees gained clarity on how to navigate this expanding choice landscape while maintaining their mission-driven approach to serving students, positioning their schools to thrive as more families explore personalized educational pathways through ESAs.