Senate panel approves major expansion of school choice program
The 4-3 vote by the Senate Education Committee followed hours of testimony from individuals who already get what lawmakers call “empowerment scholarship accounts” detailing how they have helped their children. Eligible groups range from children with special needs to those on reservations and those who attend schools rated D or F.
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.
Schools chief increases voucher payments, lawsuit likely
Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal decided today that all students in a program that provides taxpayer dollars for private education will be funded at higher levels than traditional public school kids.
New numbers show $1.5 million remains unspent in ESA program
A corrected Arizona Department of Education spreadsheet shows parents in a program that provides public money for private schools have left $1.5 million unspent, about $1 million less than initially reported.
Scholarship advocate: ESA parents know best
A spokeswoman for the Alliance for School Choice told our reporter today that parents who do not spend funds they receive from the Empowerment Scholarship Account program should be trusted.
Department of Education says ESA spreadsheet contained errors
An Arizona Department of Education spreadsheet showing millions in unspent funds in empowerment scholarship accounts contained a substantial number of errors, a department spokeswoman said Wednesday.