Sue Kingery Woltanski reports on yet another way that Florida’s taxpayer-funded school vouchers fleece the taxpayers. Reposted with permission.
This will be short.
I just learned that some of Florida’s homeschool families are getting their child’s visit to Disney’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom Park reimbursed—courtesy of the state’s Personalized Education Program (PEP) vouchers, funded by tax credits.
Florida’s PEP program is essentially a “voucher for homeschoolers.” Families unenroll from public schools and receive an Education Savings Account equal to what their public school would’ve received in per-pupil funding. There are no required academic standards and virtually no accountability. Parents are left on their own to decide what best suits their child’s needs.
According to the PEP purchasing guide, families can use these funds to buy backyard playsets, paddle boards, TVs, bicycles—and yes, tickets to Florida theme parks like Disney World, SeaWorld, Universal, and Legoland. Theme park spending has previously drawn criticism from lawmakers and taxpayers, but Step Up For Students (the nonprofit administering the funds) continues to approve such expenses if families provide a statement of “educational benefit.”
Apparently, a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique qualifies under the approved category of “dress-up clothing.”
If you’re unfamiliar, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a salon where “Fairy Godmother’s Apprentices” transform children into storybook princesses—complete with hair styling, makeup, nail polish, glitter, and often a Disney princess gown. Packages range from $99.95 (for basic styling, makeup, a t-shirt, and sash) to over $450 for the full experience, including a signature gown and crystal tiara.
PEP families have been fully reimbursed for the whole shebang – by listing the experience as “approved expense per purchase guide, dress up clothes.”
While Florida’s public schools are repeatedly asked to do more with less, begging parents to bring in paper towels and soap… If your homeschooled child wants to be Cinderella for a day? The state’s got that covered.