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ESA program gets a few tweaks, but no overhaul
Change to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program remained a game of inches this session.
Horne vouches vouchers no drain on budget
Arizona’s education budget is set to see a $28.5 million surplus by the end of the year, according to the latest report from the Arizona Department of Education.
Number of failing schools fell; alternative schools headed the other way
The number of schools getting an F on the state’s annual report card has fallen sharply, going from 49 in 2019 to 24 this year, but the number of failing alternative schools rose over the same period.
ESA program added almost 50,000 students in the past year, state reports
The state added nearly 12,000 students to the Empowerment Scholarship Account program in the last quarter, bringing total enrollment to 61,689 at the end of June and renewing debates about the costs and benefits of the program.
Attempts to curtail universal ESA program fail
In the first legislative session following the universal expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, attempts to curtail or enact further oversight for the program fell flat.
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 vouchers projected to cost $900M next year
The Empowerment Scholarship Account program is on track to cost the state $900 million by the end of the next fiscal year, according to the most recent estimate by the Arizona Department of Education.
ESA expansion sparks wave of microschools
The universal expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, and the public policy push toward school choice in Arizona have ushered in a wave of microschools, an education approach situated somewhere between homeschooling and online learning.
Voucher foes turn in petition signatures
Foes of universal school vouchers turned in 141,714 signatures Friday to give voters the last word.
Here’s what you should know about ESAs
Arizona is again grappling with the issue of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts and whether voters should decide for themselves if taxpayer money can fund private and home schools for all K-12 students.
Senate panel OKs voucher expansion bill
A Senate panel on Tuesday advanced a school voucher expansion that supporters framed as a civil rights issue and opponents decried as a repudiation of Arizona voters who overwhelmingly rejected universal vouchers two years ago.
Politicians weigh in on ballot measures
If you get your advice from Gov. Doug Ducey you're going to want to vote against at least three of the four measures expected to be on the November ballot.
