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ESA

May 21, 2025

Fire marshal showdown exposes new threat to school choice

Teachers unions have a long history of attacking choice. They see anyone who breaks free from the public school system as a threat. But Denise Lever faced a new source […]

Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, speaking with attendees on the floor of the Arizona House of Representatives on opening day of the 57th legislature. Gress is the chairman of the ad hoc committee on budget mismanagement and a prominent critic of Gov. Katie Hobbs budget policy. (Gage Skidmore / Flickr)
Apr 30, 2025

Republicans want school vouchers in the Constitution, but Hobbs doesn’t want to foot the bill.

Key Points: Republicans propose a guarantee for school vouchers in return for teacher pay If passed, the voucher program would be enshrined in the state Constitution Hobbs calls proposal a […]

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes speaks to reporters about the indictment of three former Arizona Department of Education employees on charges they defrauded the state's education voucher program out of more than $600,000, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Phoenix. Dorrian Jones was the sole defendant to go to trial after Lopez entered a testimonial agreement with the state, and Sweet and her children agreed to plea deals. (AP Photo/Jacques Billeaud)
Mar 6, 2025

Former Department of Education employee found not guilty in $614K voucher scam

A former Department of Education employee who was indicted for allegedly approving improper purchases for ineligible or nonexistent children in the Empowerment Scholarship Account program was found not guilty on […]

Feb 19, 2025

Defense blames officials in ESA trial of ex-employee accused in $614K theft

Higher ups in the Arizona Department of Education pressured staff to expedite purchase requests for the Empowerment Scholarship Account, a defense attorney alleged on the first day of trial for a former employee accused of stealing money from the program.

Charter Schools written on chalkboard
Sep 26, 2024

Don’t let Governor Hobbs take away school choice!

With less than one in three fourth-grade Arizona students reading at grade level, now is not the time for Governor Katie Hobbs to play politics with children’s futures. Arizona now […]

Sep 4, 2024

Latino families absent from Arizona ESA coverage

As school choice policies expand, I noticed a rise in criticism for these programs without an accurate consideration of the families they serve. For example, this article from CNN in […]

school vouchers written on a chalkboard
Feb 15, 2024

Senate panel kills one Hobbs voucher bill, moves another

A Senate committee killed a measure to require private schools to lay out and provide services for students with disabilities Wednesday and narrowly advanced a bill to require updated Empowerment Scholarship Account cost projections from the Arizona Department of Education. 

budget, lawmakers, House, Senate, continuation budget,
Feb 4, 2024

GOP will present responsible budget that Hobbs should sign

Like last year, the Republican majority will submit a responsible, balanced budget which spends within our means and prioritizes the needs of our citizens while eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse. Hobbs ought to sign that proposal, and not repeat the same billion-dollar mistake. 

Horne, Hobbs, Covid, overstepping, ESAs, English Language Learners, CRT
Sep 18, 2023

Concerned resident raises concerns about Horne’s actions as schools chief

A concerned Arizona resident shared a letter she sent to Tom Horne, who she claims has overstepped his power since assuming the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

ESA, Empowerment Scholarship Account, Arizona Department of Education, Save Our Schools Arizona, Horne, Beth Lewis
Sep 7, 2023

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.

ESAs, vouchers, public schools, Save Our Schools Arizona,
Sep 1, 2023

Fact-checking Save Our Schools on vouchers 

Save Our Schools Arizona is among the most prominent opponents of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or vouchers. However, certain of their talking points are inconsistent with facts from reputable sources. 

ESA, microschool
Aug 31, 2023

Alternative micro-school fails to meet zoning laws

Tia Howard wanted to start her own micro-school. So, she contracted with a curriculum provider, found a piece of rural residential land, signed a contract and made a $5,000 deposit. But Howard soon found Pinal County’s zoning code does not account for micro-schools. And per an interpretation from the county, a micro-school would be barred from rural residential land as it does not fall under the[...]

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