The mission of Empowered to Choose is to amplify community voices and provide meaningful insights into how families experience school choice in Palm Beach County. By centering lived experiences, this project aims to inform policies and practices that promote equity, transparency, and access to high-quality education for all students.
Over 20 families, educators, and community members across Palm Beach County participated in our Empowered to Choose survey. Here's what they shared:
Key Takeaways:
Most families are unaware or unsure about the recent expansion of Florida’s school choice policies—especially vouchers and ESAs.
The top barriers to using school choice options include lack of clear information, confusion around eligibility, transportation issues, and limited support navigating the process.
Respondents want more accountability from private schools receiving public dollars, including clearer standards, support for students with disabilities, and transparency in admissions.
Trusted messengers matter—families are more likely to engage with school choice information when it comes from churches, community organizations, or schools directly.
💬 What They Said:
Community assemblies allowing parents to know the latest legislation and options for their students
