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Lying about universal ESA vouchers won’t hide the truth
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” This political propaganda technique is the playbook for special interests pushing school vouchers in Arizona. But the “big lie” only works as long as its consequences remain hidden — and when it comes to vouchers, Arizona has entered the “lie big and find out” phase.
ESA vouchers projected to cost $900M next year
The Empowerment Scholarship Account program is on track to cost the state $900 million by the end of the next fiscal year, according to the most recent estimate by the Arizona Department of Education.
ESA expansion sparks wave of microschools
The universal expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, and the public policy push toward school choice in Arizona have ushered in a wave of microschools, an education approach situated somewhere between homeschooling and online learning.
AEL faces uncertain future over legitimacy, longevity
The Legislature overrode the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL) again this session, leading some to question its legitimacy and staying power.
Not quite universal, but families flocked to universal voucher program
Arizona parents have flocked to apply for the state’s new universal Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, which let any family apply for state funds to pay for their child’s schooling, regardless of need.
Signature numbers debated in Arizona voucher challenge
Supporters of a massive expansion of Arizona's private school voucher system said Monday that public school advocates have failed to file enough valid signatures to temporarily block the law ahead of a proposed 2024 ballot referendum.
Lawmakers eye repeal of English immersion
A Republican lawmaker may introduce legislation again next year to do away with mandatory English immersion for students who are non-native speakers.
Ducey touts school voucher plan, slams opponents
Gov. Doug Ducey and backers of universal school vouchers took a victory lap Tuesday over legislation the Republican-controlled Legislature enacted in June giving the state the nation's most expansive voucher system, and he also used the time to attack backers of public schools who are trying to block the measure at the ballot.
Ducey approves controversial private, parochial school vouchers
Gov. Doug Ducey penned his signature Thursday to creating the most comprehensive system of private and parochial school vouchers in the nation, paving the way for a petition drive to have voters kill it -- again.
Education groups give state budget mixed reviews
Though some education groups said it didn’t go far enough, others lauded the $18 billion bipartisan budget passed early Thursday morning as a step in the right direction for K-12 education funding.
GOP lawmakers push bill to fund private school costs
In the waning weeks of the 2022 session, Republican lawmakers are trying to make every Arizona student eligible for funding to help pay for private school tuition and tying the expansion to a $400 million increase in education funding.
Ylenia Aguilar: A new citizen cast her first ballot for herself
The American Dream means different things to different people, but to Ylenia Aguilar, it meant being able to vote for herself in the first election she was able to vote as an American citizen.
