Florida’s Education Evolution: From School Choice to Education Choice

In Florida, education is undergoing a radical shift—not just in who can choose schools, but in how education itself is being delivered. With over 500,000 students now receiving state scholarships and more than 80,000 families engaging in a la carte learning through education savings accounts (ESAs), the Sunshine State is no longer just a school choice pioneer—it’s leading the charge into full-scale education choice. The stakes are massive: Florida could become the blueprint for how public funds empower truly personalized learning paths.

So what does it really mean for families to move from choosing schools to assembling entire educational experiences? How does this transformation challenge traditional systems, and what can other states learn?

In this episode of The Future of Education, host Michael Horn welcomes Ron Matus, Director of Research and Special Projects at Step Up For Students, a nonprofit administering Florida’s scholarship programs. Together, they explore the shift from “school choice” to “education choice,” how families are using ESAs, and what this means for the future of learning.

Main takeaways from the episode…

• The Great Unbundling is Here: While most ESA dollars still go toward private school tuition, tens of thousands of families are now piecing together learning via tutors, microschools, clubs, and virtual programs—often across multiple providers.
• Special Needs Students Led the Way: Florida’s ESA history began with special education families, whose drive for customized learning helped lay the groundwork for today’s a la carte movement.
• Districts Are Adapting, Not Folding: Traditional school districts in Florida are embracing unbundling, with several now offering courses and services eligible for ESA funding, becoming players in the education choice landscape.

Ron Matus is the Director of Research and Special Projects at Step Up For Students, where he leads education policy research and communications strategy for one of the largest scholarship organizations in the U.S. He brings over 30 years of writing and media experience, including a decade as an award-winning education reporter at the Tampa Bay Times, where he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Ron is highly skilled in digital storytelling, public affairs, and driving narratives around education innovation and school choice.