safety
South Florida mother says tapping into a program to pay for private school ended in delays
By Jayme Berezdivin at WSVN 7 News
· July 8, 2026
· 3 min read
A South Florida mother taps into a state program to help pay for her child to go to a private school. She says while she followed the rules to get the money, things backfired and left her searching for answers for months. 7’s Heather Walker investigates. Education is important to Jackie Ramirez. She
Key takeaway She says while she followed the rules to get the money, things backfired and left her searching for answers for months.
Why this matters in The Miami
The delays in payment from the Step Up for Students program have significant implications for families in Miami -Dade County, where access to quality education is a top priority. For many parents, like Jackie Ramirez, who work hard to provide the best possible education for their children, these delays can be devastating. The fact that Ramirez's daughter was able to excel at Primer K-8, a private school in Kendall, highlights the importance of programs like Step Up for Students in providing alternatives to traditional public schools. However, the bureaucratic hurdles and lack of communication from the program can undermine the very purpose of these initiatives. As the county continues to grapple with issues of educational equity and access, it is crucial that programs like Step Up for Students are held accountable for their administration and communication with families, ensuring that they can provide the support that parents like Ramirez need to give their children the best possible start in life.
About this story
Original reporting by WSVN 7 News . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSVN 7 News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: WSVN 7 News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A South Florida mother taps into a state program to help pay for her child to go to a private school. She says while she followed the rules to get the money, things backfired and left her searching for answers for months. 7’s Heather Walker investigates. Education is important to Jackie Ramirez. She
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by WSVN 7 News and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jayme Berezdivin at WSVN 7 News. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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