Florida Supreme Court Finds State Voucher Program Unconstitutional

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Jan. 5 that one of the nation's highest-profile school voucher programs is unconstitutional, a decision that will force many of the 720 students who use state money to attend private schools to look for other options after this school year.

The court voted 5-2 to end the Opportunity Scholarships program, which provides students who decide to leave some of the state's lowest-rated public schools with about $4,350 in tuition aid they can use in private or religious schools.

Chief Justice Barbara J. Pariente wrote in the majority opinion that the vouchers violate the state constitution's provision that requires a "uniform" system of public...