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Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

Stacks of voters' signatures were delivered to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office on Aug. 8 after Save Our Schools Arizona collected more than 110,000 signatures in three months. If it survives legal challenges, the referendum will appear on the 2018 general election ballot as Proposition 305. (Photo by Katie Campbell/Arizona Capitol Times)
Jul 13, 2018

Voucher vote creates dilemma for school-choice supporters

If voters approve the voucher expansion law in November, many believe those changes would be locked in under the Voter Protection Act.

Stacks of voters' signatures were delivered to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office on Aug. 8 after Save Our Schools Arizona collected more than 110,000 signatures in three months. If it survives legal challenges, the referendum will appear on the 2018 general election ballot as Proposition 305. (Photo by Katie Campbell/Arizona Capitol Times)
Mar 21, 2018

State high court says vote on voucher expansion can proceed

The justices affirmed Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Margaret Mahoney’s January ruling that state law at the time Proposition 305 was filed did not allow individuals to challenge petition drives.

A Save Our Schools Arizona volunteer hands off a box of signatures to another helper. The anti-school voucher expansion group delivered 111,540 signatures to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office on Aug. 8. (Photo by Katie Campbell/Arizona Capitol Times)
Aug 8, 2017

Voucher expansion on hold as effort to kill campaign begins

School voucher expansion legislation is on hold after Save Our Schools Arizona delivered, by the group’s count, 111,540 signatures today to refer the law to the 2018 general election ballot.

ESA, Board of Education, handbooks, Accurso
Jul 11, 2017

Arizona group says school voucher bill repeal is on track

A group that opposes a major private school voucher expansion bill signed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey this spring says it is on track to collect enough signatures to place the law on hold.

Jul 7, 2017

Group hopes to stop school voucher expansion before it takes effect

When Arizona students return to school in August, a new law could make the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts available to all 1.1 million of them. Unless a grassroots group of opponents has its way.

May 23, 2016

Goldwater Institute pushes to modernize ESA payment system

Goldwater Institute, the architect of a program that uses state money for students to attend private school, now wants to bring it into the age of cell phone apps.

AEL, House, school funding, classroom spending, teachers, supplies
Feb 29, 2016

Outpouring of criticism puts voucher expansion on life support

Legislation to let every child attend private and parochial schools on the public dime is on life support, and possibly dead -- at least in its current form.

Feb 25, 2016

House postpones action on vouchers bill

The Arizona House of Representatives has postponed a debate on a bill to massively expand the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program. Several Republicans said the measure, which passed the Senate on Monday, doesn’t have the votes in the lower chamber.

Feb 22, 2016

Senate approves voucher plan decried as ‘the end of public education in Arizona’

State senators voted Monday to do what foes have argued has been their agenda all along -- allow every one of the 1.1 million students in Arizona to attend private and parochial schools with tax dollars.

Oct 19, 2015

ESAs for all tribal students creates choice for underserved populations

More than 150 children on Indian reservations across Arizona were given the opportunity this year to leave their failing schools for better performing ones.

Proposition 123, Ducey, Supreme Court, school trust fund, special election, Michael Pierce
Oct 15, 2015

Empowerment Scholarship Accounts serving Arizona well

Just as a child needs a pediatrician, dentist, and in some cases, even a physical therapist for their health, so they also may need a tutor, educational therapist, and an online class for their education. Moreover, new learning experiences require flexible options to pay for these services.

school choice, education, Education Freedom Report Card, parents, Critical Race Theory, Florida, Ducey, Heritage Foundation, Goldwater Institute, DeSantis, Florida
Jul 21, 2014

State money spent on empowerment scholarships nearly doubles

There will be almost double the number of students from last year starting the new school year in a program that provides public money for private schools.

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