Jacksonville, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis visited North Florida School of Special Education in Jacksonville where he highlighted an increase in funding for the Gardiner Scholarship Program. Funding increases passed by the Florida Legislature includes enough to clear the certified waiting list.

The Governor was joined in Jacksonville by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Former Senate President Andy Gardiner, Senator Rob Bradley, Senator Audrey Gibson, Representative Clay Yarborough, Representative Jason Fischer, Representative Kimberly Daniels, Representative Cord Byrd and Representative Tracie Davis.

“Back in February, I committed to fight for funding to clear the waitlist for the Gardiner scholarship, which would empower students with special needs by allowing them the flexibility to learn in an environment best suited for them,” said Governor DeSantis. “With the help of the Florida Legislature, we were able to increase funding and completely clear the scholarship waitlist. We will never stop working to ensure that our students have the chance to receive a world-class education regardless of their circumstance.”

“This legislative session was monumental with increased overall funding for education,” said Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Florida’s lawmakers came together because they understand that every student’s needs are different. Parents, teachers and children alike, are optimistic for a future that empowers them with programs such as the Gardiner Scholarship— an individualized educational plan for eligible students and children with special needs. I applaud the legislature for valuing this important scholarship and investing in our students’ unique abilities.”

Photo Credit: Governor’s Press Office

The Gardiner Scholarship Program

The Gardiner Scholarship Program provides eligible students a scholarship that can be used to purchase approved services or products in order to design a customized educational program for the student. Scholarships can be used for specialized services such as speech or occupational therapy, instructional materials, tuition at an eligible private school, contributions to a college prepaid account and more. The program is directly administered by state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organizations. For more information on the Gardiner Scholarship Program, please visit http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/k-12-scholarship-programs/gardiner/.

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