WLRN

Last school year, Irene switched her daughter, who has autism, from a public charter school to a private school. Irene planned on paying for the school with the state voucher meant for students with disabilities. “She thrives the best in the setting where it’s maximum 10 children,” Irene said. “Her speech has improved so much. Her math, they’re saying that she’s close to third grade level in math.” The difference in her daughter since she started at the new school has been “night and day.” The enthusiasm was short-lived. When the Florida Department of Education checked enrollment records, the then-kindergartener’s name came up in her old school’s enrollment. The state froze the voucher to prevent duplicating funds to the public and private schools at the same time.