Families for Strong Public Schools

06/18/2026

🚨 Take Action: Protect Students with Disabilities and Their Civil Rights
The U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) out of the Department of Education.
For the more than 10 million students who rely on IEPs and 504 Plans, these changes raise serious concerns about the future of educational supports, civil rights protections, and accountability.
Here's what hasn't changed: Students with disabilities are still protected under IDEA and remain legally entitled to a free and appropriate public education.
But Congress must act to protect these essential offices and fully fund the services students deserve.
📧 Email your Members of Congress: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/breaking-ask-your-member-of-congress-to-stop-linda-mcmahon-from-gutting-special-education
📞 Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senators and Representative.
Tell Congress:
✅ Keep OSERS and OCR within the Department of Education
✅ Protect students' civil rights and educational protections
✅ Fully fund IDEA and special education services
Students with disabilities are learners, leaders, artists, athletes, and innovators. They deserve the supports they need to thrive in their public schools.
Please share and help us raise our voices for every child.

06/16/2026

🚨 Florida ranked LAST in the nation for support of public education — again.
According to the 2026 Network for Public Education Report Card, Florida received the lowest score in the country for the third consecutive report, earning just 14 out of 102 possible points.
The report found that:
📉 Nearly 1 in 4 state education dollars now flows to private school and homeschool voucher programs.
💸 Almost $4 billion in taxpayer funding was directed to vouchers in 2024-25.
🏫 Florida lost every possible point in the school funding category, ranking near the bottom nationally for school funding and teacher pay.
⚠️ Florida is one of only 10 states with universal ESA vouchers, allowing public dollars to flow to private and homeschool options with limited oversight.
The report also found a strong relationship between increased privatization and decreased support for public schools, teachers, and students.
Public schools remain the only schools required to serve every child, regardless of disability, income, language, or background. Florida families deserve transparency, accountability, and adequate funding for the public schools that serve the vast majority of students.
Read the full report and see how Florida compares to other states: https://networkforpubliceducation.org/30377-2/

https://networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Copy-of-Public-Schooling-in-America-Banner-Video-2.mp4 THE BEST AND THE WORST STATEHOUSES FOR SUPPORTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS July 2026 From teacher qualifications and satisfaction, to lack of student protections in charte...

06/15/2026

🚫 MYTH: “Vouchers make private school affordable for everyone.”
✅ FACT: Vouchers often do NOT cover the full cost of private school tuition and families still must pay for transportation, meals, fees, uniforms, and services.
That’s why many voucher recipients already attended private school before receiving taxpayer-funded subsidies.
Universal voucher programs frequently function as subsidies for families who could already afford private education.

06/08/2026

🚫 MYTH: “Voucher programs save taxpayers money.”
✅ FACT: Voucher costs almost always grow over time and taxpayers end up footing the bill.
Florida’s voucher program alone costs over $4 BILLION in one year. Other states have experienced major budget shortfalls tied to voucher expansion.
At the same time, public schools lose funding, programs get cut, and taxpayers are often asked to fill the gaps locally.
Public dollars should come with public accountability.

06/06/2026

Florida’s public schools are required to report graduation rates, academic outcomes, finances, and student performance. They answer to elected school boards, public records laws, audits, and community oversight.

Yet billions of taxpayer dollars are now flowing to private school voucher programs without the same level of transparency or accountability.

If public dollars are funding education, taxpayers deserve to know how those dollars are being spent and whether students are being served.

Accountability shouldn’t depend on the type of school receiving the funding.

Thank you, FEA, for highlighting this important issue.

Join the movement to protect and strengthen Florida’s public schools: https://bit.ly/3R8H5Gp

Public schools report their graduation rates. Many taxpayer-funded voucher schools don't.

Public schools answer to elected leaders. Many taxpayer-funded alternatives don't.

If taxpayer dollars are on the line, accountability should be too.

Join the movement: https://bit.ly/3R8H5Gp

06/05/2026

"Teachers and parents have filed a landmark lawsuit challenging the legality of Florida’s billion-dollar school voucher system.

The argument at the heart of their suit is that Florida’s constitution requires tax dollars be spent on “high-quality” education. Yet Florida’s voucher system is a black-hole of accountability, sometimes paying for kids to go to “schools” that are total disasters — where teachers lack degrees, inflate grades and use curriculum that is rubbish."

Learn more at https://www.fundflpublicschools.org

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2026/06/05/maxwell-plaintiffs-in-floridas-voucher-school-lawsuit-reveal-disturbing-reality/?share=w6wo0sile0bafn06tonw

Maxwell: Plaintiffs in lawsuit challenging Florida’s universal school voucher program argue voucher schools lack standards. They’re provably right.

06/03/2026

📢 USE YOUR VOICE: Citizen Engagement Training 🗣️
Have you ever wanted to speak up about issues impacting your community but weren’t sure where to start?
Join us for an engaging evening designed to help residents learn how to effectively navigate local government, connect with elected officials, and advocate for the issues that matter most to their families and neighborhoods.
📅 Tuesday, June 9, 2026
⏰ 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Hear from community leaders and experts:
• Bill Carlson
• Clay Hollis
• Damaris Allen
• Tom Scherberger
✅ Learn practical strategies for engaging with public officials
✅ Understand how local government works
✅ Gain confidence speaking at public meetings
✅ Connect with advocacy and civic organizations
✅ Receive a FREE Citizen Engagement Guide with a directory of Hillsborough County elected officials
🍽️ Light meal provided
👶 Childcare available
📍 Open to all community members, educators, faith groups, neighborhood leaders, and residents across Hillsborough County
Over the past year, Voices for Justice events have brought together more than 150 community members at a time. If you've ever wondered how to turn your concerns into action, this training is for you.
🔗 Register (appreciated, but not required):
https://hydeparkumc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/1977/responses/new
🔗 Event details & livestream information:
https://HydeParkUMC.org/UseYourVoice
Hyde Park United Methodist Church Magnified Voices

06/02/2026

🚨 SPECIAL EDITION TAKE ACTION TUESDAY 🚨
What would proposed property tax changes mean for your community?
A new analysis from Florida Policy Institute shows that proposed property tax cuts could result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for Florida's public schools, libraries, parks, infrastructure, and other local services families rely on every day.
🔍 Find out what the projected impact could be in YOUR county using FPI's interactive maps:
https://www.floridapolicy.org/posts/map-projected-revenue-loss-for-florida-school-districts-and-counties-under-governors-property-tax-reform-proposal
🎤 Want to learn more?
Join FPI's Policy Matters Call
📅 June 4
🕧 12:30 PM ET
Register here:
https://bit.ly/4x0QOz0
📢 TAKE ACTION TODAY
Another Special Session is happening this week. Use your voice and tell your legislators that Florida families need real relief—not tax cuts that could jeopardize the public schools, libraries, parks, and local services our communities depend on.
✉️ Send a message now:
https://secure.ngpvan.com/sxSBo0pxaUO75XzPFzuIlw2
Learn the facts. Check your county. Take action. Share with others.

06/01/2026

📣 Calling all Duval friends!

Join us for the Duval County School Board Candidate Forum and hear directly from the candidates seeking to represent our community on the School Board. All candidates for Districts 2, 4, and 6 have been invited to share their vision for the future of Duval County schools. RSVP ⬇️

Join the League of Women Voters, DCCPTA, Families for Strong Public Schools, MomsRising, and the NAACP for a community forum featuring candidates running for the Duval County School Board. Candidates for Districts 2, 4, and 6 have been invited to participate. This forum will give families, educators...

06/01/2026

🚫 MYTH: “Vouchers expand educational opportunities for all students.”
✅ FACT: Many students still face major barriers to accessing private schools, including students with disabilities, English learners, LGBTQ+ students, and lower-income families.
Private schools can deny admission, may not provide required services, and vouchers often don’t fully cover tuition, transportation, meals, or additional fees. Many rural communities don’t even have nearby private school options.
Public schools serve every child.
Voucher programs often leave vulnerable students behind.
Learn more here:https://pfps.org/assets/uploads/Debunking_USED___Treasury_Fact_Sheet_Final.pdf