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ESA enrollment hits 75,000, short of some projections
After a year of roving projections, final enrollment and funding for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program in the last fiscal year fell far short of earlier predictions by the Department of Education and the governor’s office, but remained close to the mark on projections by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Mayes wants answers on school voucher rules, procedures
The Arizona Attorney general is investigating Arizona Department of Education procedures allowing school voucher funds for “supplementary materials” untethered to any curriculum or documentation justifying the purchase as an educational expense.
New voucher rulebook delayed a year for parent input
Following backlash from parents in the Empowerment Scholarship Account program and Republican lawmakers, the State Board of Education adopted last year’s program handbook in lieu of approving a new redlined draft from the Arizona Department of Education today.
Toma probably won’t offer bill to revamp ESA program
The Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives indicated Nov. 14 that he doesn't plan to write any legislation with the goal of overhauling the state’s growing Empowerment Scholarship Account program after he chaired a House panel tasked with oversight into the program.
Hobbs and Horne at odds over Covid funds
A blame game between two top state officials threatens to lose the state more than $22 million in federal Covid relief dollars for education.
Horne cancels more than $70M in covid relief for tutoring program
The Arizona Department of Education clawed back more than $70 million in Covid grant funding to make way for a $40 million statewide tutoring program.
Latest student debt-relief plan could mean $1 billion for 20,000 in Arizona
More than 20,000 Arizona residents would see $1 billion in student debt erased under a Biden administration plan unveiled just two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down a previous debt-forgiveness plan.
Senators approve Department of Education developing banned book list
State senators agreed to have the state Department of Education come up with a list of books that cannot be used in public schools.
Two bills attacking so-called ‘culture war’ issues await final votes
Two measures dealing with what could be considered "culture war'' issues await a final vote in the state Senate.
Senators give early approval to directing department to list banned books
State senators gave preliminary approval Thursday to a measure directing the Department of Education to come up with a list of books that are banned in public schools.
Resolution cuts governor out of budget process
The Senate passed a resolution March 1 that would allow the previous year’s budget to go into effect for the next year, if the governor won’t sign off on a new budget.
Bill to expand ESA reporting advances, barely
A bill that would expand reporting requirements for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program narrowly passed the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 15.
