Date of Award

Fall 2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Sarah J. Yates

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas J. Gollery

Third Advisor

Dr. Lisa A. Coscia

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate the relationship between voucher dependency and tuition-setting practices among leaders of private K-12 schools in Florida with fewer than 500 students. Guided by resource dependence theory, the study examined school leaders’ perceptions of scholarship funding, tuition income, affordability, sustainability, timing, and flexibility in tuition-setting decisions, as well as the adequacy of current scholarship amounts. A quantitative, non-experimental survey design was used. The sample included 85 decision-making school leaders from private K-12 schools in Florida whose roles involved financial or tuition-setting decisions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, one-way analysis of variance, and one-sample t tests. The analysis indicated no statistically significant differences in tuition-setting practices across levels of non-tuition income. However, school leaders perceived that changes in scholarship funding corresponded with changes in tuition income. School leaders also perceived that reliance on state-funded scholarships affected their ability to balance family affordability with institutional sustainability. Results related to timing and flexibility were statistically significant but reflected lower agreement. Results regarding the adequacy of current scholarship amounts were not statistically significant. Overall, the findings indicate that scholarship funding is an important financial resource for small private schools in Florida. However, school leaders do not rely solely on scholarship funding when making tuition-setting decisions.

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