The McKay Scholarship Program began in 2000 with 6 students utilizing this parental choice. Over 15,000 children are now enrolled in the McKay Scholarship Program. (At the beginning of the school year 2004.) This phenomenal growth alone underlines the necessity of such a program.

Florida's school choice programs ensure that no child will be left behind by allowing parents to choose the best educational setting—public or private—for their child. The McKay Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program provided over 15,000 Florida students with special needs the opportunity to attend a participating private school during the 2004-2005 school year. The McKay Scholarships Program also offers parents public school choice. A parent of a special needs student who is dissatisfied with the student’s current school may choose to transfer the student to another public school.