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AZDOHS concludes former ADE employee is behind data leak of ESA families’ information
The Arizona Department of Homeland Security concluded a former Arizona Department of Education staffer is behind a data leak of Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) families’ personal information.
With pay lagging, school districts try other enticements to get teachers
Chino Valley is trying tiny houses as an inducement for teachers. The district is not alone. From tiny houses to alternative teacher certification programs to hiring teachers from overseas, school districts around Arizona are scrambling for ways to attract teachers to a state that offers some of the lowest salaries in the nation.
ESA data breach prompts state Homeland Security investigation
A recent data breach involving the contractor in charge of Arizona’s expanded Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is now under investigation by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
Grant addresses students’ mental health issues
Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline, a crisis hotline and suicide prevention education provider, became a peer counselor after she lost a friend to suicide in high school. And 29 years later, as she oversees the program she started in, Kontz continues to emphasize the enduring importance of creating strong networks of support in schools, involving peers, teachers, counselors and admini[...]
ESA program director resigns while ADE, treasurer’s office mull which firms to hire
The director of the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program resigned yesterday.
Basic math – ESAs save the state money
Opponents of parental choice in education are doing their best Chicken Little in an attempt to scare Arizonans out of allowing parents control over their children’s education. But all the cries of “bankruptcy” and attempts at creative math cannot change the simple fact that giving parents a choice on how to best educate their children actually saves the state money.
Schools using 50-50 Dual Immersion Model to teach ELL not at risk of losing funds
Schools using the 50-50 Dual Immersion Model to teach English Language Learners are no longer at risk of losing funds, despite threats from the Arizona Department of Education.
ESA red tape strands rural mom
Angela Amezcua, an Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) parent, does not want to drive six hours to pick up her children’s school supplies. She would much rather drive a half hour into town, where she works, buys groceries and supplies and pick up her mail at a UPS P.O. box, but the Arizona Department of Education won’t allow the use of her P.O. box for ESA orders.
Horne warns against teaching ELL in 50-50 model
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced any school teaching English Language Learners in 50-50 dual language models are in violation of the law and are at risk of losing funding.
Attorney general engaging in ESA ‘witch hunt’
It’s time for Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes to dial back the hyperbole aimed at tens of thousands of parents who participate in the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. With scarce evidence, she recently claimed that the program has “no controls” and “no accountability” – this is far from the truth.
Department of Education evaluating two investigations reported to Empower Hotline
The Empower Hotline, a tipline for reporting “critical race theory,” as well as “gender ideology, social emotional learning, or inappropriate sexual content,” only has two active investigations, according to the Arizona Department of Education.
ADE recently spent $600K to advertise ESA program
The Arizona Department of Education spent more than $600,000 in the past two weeks to broadcast advertisements for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, according to invoices from the department.
