Sign In
Free Newsletter
ADE says work being done on ESA program as ClassWallet continues as vendor
With ClassWallet in the process of continuing its contract with the state as the Empowerment Scholarship Account financial vendor, the Arizona Department of Education confirmed work on long-term changes to the program, most notably the revival of debit cards using automation and artificial intelligence.
ClassWallet selected to keep operating as financial vendor for ESA program
ClassWallet will continue to operate as the financial vendor for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, the Office of the State Treasurer Arizona announced today.
AZDOHS concludes former ADE employee is behind data leak of ESA families’ information
The Arizona Department of Homeland Security concluded a former Arizona Department of Education staffer is behind a data leak of Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) families’ personal information.
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 data breach prompts state Homeland Security investigation
A recent data breach involving the contractor in charge of Arizona’s expanded Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is now under investigation by the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.
Grant addresses students’ mental health issues
Nikki Kontz, clinical director at Teen Lifeline, a crisis hotline and suicide prevention education provider, became a peer counselor after she lost a friend to suicide in high school. And 29 years later, as she oversees the program she started in, Kontz continues to emphasize the enduring importance of creating strong networks of support in schools, involving peers, teachers, counselors and admini[...]
ESA program director resigns while ADE, treasurer’s office mull which firms to hire
The director of the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program resigned yesterday.
Mayes warns parents removing children from public schools for voucher program could victimize them
The state's top prosecutor is warning parents that pulling their children out of public schools to take advantage of the new universal voucher program could make them the victims of bias, with no legal recourse.
Judge temporarily blocks law prohibiting transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams
A federal judge temporarily blocked the 2022 law barring transgender girls from playing on girls' sports teams at school, finding it to be discriminatory and void of a substantial governmental interest.
Schools using 50-50 Dual Immersion Model to teach ELL not at risk of losing funds
Schools using the 50-50 Dual Immersion Model to teach English Language Learners are no longer at risk of losing funds, despite threats from the Arizona Department of Education.
Protesters gather at Capitol to challenge Horne’s anti-dual language rhetoric
English learners, parents and teachers gathered at the state Capitol Thursday to protest Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s attack on Arizona’s dual language programs.
Horne warns against teaching ELL in 50-50 model
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announced any school teaching English Language Learners in 50-50 dual language models are in violation of the law and are at risk of losing funding.
