Education is one of the most important decisions a parent makes. Where your child goes to school shapes their future — their opportunities, their values, and their potential.
For too long, that decision was made by ZIP code, not by parents. School choice changes that. And in Florida's 16th District — home to families in Bradenton, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Brandon, and Parrish — protecting and expanding school choice is one of the most important things we can do for the next generation.
What Is School Choice?
School choice is a policy framework that empowers parents to direct education funding toward the school that best fits their child's needs — whether that's a traditional public school, a charter school, a private school, a faith-based school, or a homeschool program.
Rather than automatically assigning every child to a government school based on their address, school choice lets families choose.
Florida's School Choice Programs
Florida is actually a national leader in school choice. The state offers several programs:
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (Step Up for Students)
Funded by corporate tax credits, this program provides scholarships to low- and middle-income students to attend private schools. Hundreds of thousands of Florida children participate.
Family Empowerment Scholarship
A state-funded Education Savings Account (ESA) program for students with unique learning needs, students in low-performing schools, and students from lower-income families.
Charter Schools
Florida has a robust charter school sector, with hundreds of publicly funded charter schools operating across Manatee and Hillsborough counties. Charter schools offer innovative curricula and specialized programs within the public school system.
Hope Scholarship
For students who have been bullied or subjected to violence in public school, Florida's Hope Scholarship allows them to transfer to a different public school or attend a private school with state support.
Why Does Congress Matter for School Choice?
Education is primarily a state issue, but federal policy plays a significant role:
Federal Funding Flexibility
The federal government channels billions of dollars to K-12 education through programs like Title I and IDEA. How those dollars can be used — and whether states can direct them toward school choice programs — depends heavily on federal policy.
Education Savings Accounts at the Federal Level
Federal ESA legislation would allow families to use a portion of federal education funding for the educational option that works best for their child — including private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, and more.
Protecting Homeschooling
Federal regulations can threaten homeschooling families. A strong congressional voice is needed to ensure that Washington bureaucrats don't impose new requirements on homeschool parents in Florida.
Resisting Federal Overreach in Curriculum
Congress controls federal funding, and federal funding comes with federal strings. I will fight against any attempt to force Florida schools — public or private — to adopt federally mandated curriculum that conflicts with our community's values.
My Position on School Choice
I believe parents — not government bureaucrats — know what is best for their children. Every family in Bradenton, Riverview, Lakewood Ranch, Brandon, and Parrish deserves access to the educational environment that helps their child thrive.
As your Congressman, I will:
- Support federal Education Savings Account legislation to expand school choice nationwide
- Oppose any federal policy that undermines Florida's existing school choice programs
- Protect homeschooling families from new federal mandates or reporting requirements
- Fight against ideological curriculum mandates from Washington
- Advocate for flexible use of Title I and other federal education funding to support choice
The teachers in our public schools work incredibly hard, and I support them. But the best way to improve education across the board is through competition, parental empowerment, and accountability — not more government control.
John Peters is the Republican candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida's 16th District. Learn more at johnpetersforcongress.com or donate today.
Read more about my positions on my complete platform or support the campaign.