Taken from www.acsi.org. Select the Programs tab, then Legal Legislative Services, and then School Choice Issues.
School Choice Programs
McKay Scholarships Program for Students with Disabilities
Any disabled student who attends a public school is eligible to receive a McKay scholarship to attend a private school. The voucher is worth the same amount that public schools would have spent on each participating child, though the voucher amount may not exceed the cost of the private school’s tuition and fees. Thus, the value of the voucher varies widely depending on the severity of the child’s disability.
Tax Credits for Scholarship-Funding Organizations (Corporate Tax Scholarship)
The corporate tax scholarship provides a tax credit on corporate income taxes for donations to scholarshipfunding organizations (SFOs), which are privately run nonprofit organizations that support private-school scholarships. SFOs provide scholarships worth up to $3,950 for low-income students. Businesses receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions up to 75 percent of their total tax owed. The program is capped at $112 million.
Testimonials
Pine Castle Christian Academy
By participating in the scholarship programs, Pine Castle Christian Academy (PCCA) gets exposure that may not otherwise be possible. Both programs keep a directory of schools that accept the scholarship, so as parents become aware of the programs, they contact schools that are listed. We enjoy the opportunity to minister to students who may not be aware of our programs or who may not otherwise be able to afford the full cost of tuition. Many families comment that they would not have known about the school or that they could never have considered the possibility of enrollment because of finances. We have had some excellent students in the program who have contributed to the school in many ways and have enhanced our school community.
—Pine Castle Christian Academy
My son was three years old when he received the diagnosis of a hearing problem. He had hearing capacity of only 70 percent. The way he heard things was as if you and I were speaking to each other under water. His speech was distorted, and he could not speak sounds properly because he spoke in the way he heard things. He had surgery on his ears and then had a 100 percent capacity of hearing. However, by this time he was behind his peers because of trouble with hearing sounds, with speech, and with comprehension. His preschool suggested getting him tested to determine the extent of his learning disability. My son was then given an IEP matrix score that allowed him to be accepted into the McKay Scholarships Program.
The wonderful privilege of being accepted into this program has allowed my son to grow academically in areas he would not have grown in otherwise. The programs that McKay has so graciously paid for has allowed my son the opportunity to succeed above and beyond the level where he would be otherwise in school. My son still struggles, but his struggle has given him an opportunity to grow in other areas such as patience, mercy, and understanding. I believe that because of his learning disability he is a stronger person and has a better understanding of others who struggle. The McKay Scholarships Program has been a true blessing for us because my son has received the extra help, love, and understanding he needs to succeed. I will be forever grateful for the McKay Scholarships Program, which has paid for my son to have teachers who are so diligently patient, loving, and kind in order to reach my son in ways other teachers could not have. One day when he is an adult, he will look back and be grateful for the extra help and love he received because of the McKay scholarship. He will have the McKay Scholarships Program to thank for his success and ability to work and communicate with others socially and spiritually and for the confidence within himself to rise above any obstacle that would come his way. Thank you.
—Connie Coleman, Parent
My son and daughter are surviving triplets born three months premature. We learned when they were three years old that they were both profoundly hearing impaired. We immediately enrolled them in the Orange County school system, and they were given excellent support and an outstanding education. Believe it or not, they were fully mainstreamed by kindergarten. We were so happy to learn that we had the ability to use the McKay scholarship to choose the proper education setting for our children’s needs. We chose PCCA for the small class sizes, the school culture, and the social aspect of allowing our children to be in school with their friends through twelfth grade. I am happy to report that they are thriving in the mainstream setting and that they have been socially accepted. We feel so blessed that we had the opportunity to choose the perfect setting for our children.
—Jenny Wemert, Parent
Trinity Christian School
Trinity Christian School has been accepting scholarships through the McKay and corporate tax programs for seven years. Although I was hesitant to accept money from outside sources, my concerns were unfounded. There have been no restrictions on what we teach nor compromise of our beliefs. What I have discovered is that parents who could not afford to send their children to a Christian school have been given the opportunity through this financial assistance. At this time, 11 percent of our students are receiving corporate tax money through Children First Florida or McKay money from the Florida Department of Education.
—Beverly Smith, Administrator
Our son attends Trinity Christian School as a seventh grader. This is the second year we have had the privilege to attend Trinity under the McKay scholarship. Without the scholarship, we could not afford for our son to obtain the therapy-based curriculum he needs and gets at Trinity. After a long, stressful road of testing, doctors’ visits, and homeschooling, we were finally able to obtain a proper diagnosis for our son; but even though we know what his needs are, we are still working very hard to help him get on track. It is a long road, and after coming to Trinity last year, we have for the first time felt some hope because of the dedication of his educational therapist, Peggy Touchton, and the rest of the staff. There are times when I have felt frustrated and hopeless in this struggle for my son to make progress. Mrs. Touchton and Mrs. Young have been there to lift us up and give us the courage to continue in the fight. The Discovery program has helped my son immensely, as have the referrals to obtain other therapies my son has needed. I am a police officer, and my husband is a firefighter. We would not be able to afford for our son to attend Trinity without the help of the McKay scholarship, and we are very grateful for this blessing.
—Jamie Byrd, Parent
Tampa Bay Christian Academy
The McKay and Florida P.R.I.D.E. scholarships are two important vehicles that allow us to fulfill our mission. These two scholarships provide funding for families who might not otherwise be able to afford the education they want for their child. It provides a choice for parents. It also gives us an opportunity to build His kingdom because some of our scholarship students come from unchurched families. The parents come to us looking for a better future for their child, and we are able to give them that, both academically and spiritually. What better future is there than one that is focused on Christ? The staff members who administer the Florida P.R.I.D.E. and McKay scholarships are a pleasure to work with and are very driven to provide for all of Florida’s students.
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