Vouchers Struck Down in Florida

On January 6, 2006 the Florida Supreme Court struck down vouchers by a 5-2 vote. 730 students have taken advantage of 'Opportunity Scholarships' for failing schools in the state. The ruling cited an article of the Florida State Constitution that says, "Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools." According to the decision, since the state does not have as much quality control over the private schools they are not meeting the obligations of the Constitution. The students affected will lose their vouchers at the end of this school year. Unfortunately for many of them, this will mean returning to schools which received F's according to the state rating system.