School choice has been one of my top priorities since first being elected

Last week was National School Choice Week, a time designated to raise awareness of the importance of making educational opportunities available to all students. 

Thank you to The Villages Charter Elementary School, Marion Military Academy, MYTEK LAB, Tavares Middle School, Lake Tech Fire Academy, Citrus County Christian Homeschool Group, Seven Rivers Christian School, and Central High School for allowing me to visit with you this week and see the opportunities being provided to our students.

Every student, regardless of their parents’ salary or zip code, should have access to achieve their American dream. We know the key to that dream is a quality education. This is why school choice has been one of my top priorities since first being elected to public service.

In 1985, while serving in the Florida House, I championed a law allowing home education because for some kids, home is the best learning environment. Later, as Speaker of the Florida House, I created the Florida Virtual School (FLVS), which allows students to learn at their own pace, in any location, at any time. Today, this state-run public school now serves more than 207,000 children. It is the premier online learning center in the country, offering students a full slate of K-12 courses, ranging from Chinese to AP physics. I have also advanced initiatives creating magnet programs, establishing charter schools, and establishing scholarships that allow students from failing schools to attend high performing schools.

I remain committed to working against the bureaucratic approach to education and to fighting to restore local control and deliver more choices to parents. 

Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.