The next frontier of education reform – the supply side
Our traditional school system — built around fixed buildings, set schedules and standardized staffing structures — was designed for control and scale, not for flexibility or innovation. But those priorities […]
Dispute over school choice funding means ballot measure for teacher pay unlikely
Key Points: Teacher pay hike stalled over GOP demand for school vouchers Governor Hobbs rejects tying voucher expansion to education funding plan Special election unlikely as attention shifts to budget […]
No progress on state budget amid Prop. 123 hangup
Key Points: Hobbs won’t talk about budget yet Governor wants Prop. 123 extension settled Lawmakers remain on mid-session break Republicans at the Legislature have addressed most of the bills they […]
Education groups vow to campaign against school choice on Prop. 123
Key Points: Republicans likely to unveil final Proposition 123 language on May 19 Democrats, education groups oppose tying school choice to teacher pay proposal Opponents warn of lawsuits, campaigns if […]
Education groups announce opposition campaign against school choice on Proposition 123
Key Points: Democrats, education groups oppose tying school choice to teacher pay proposal Republicans still finalizing bill language to protect existing choice options Opponents warn of lawsuits, campaigns if such […]
ESA handbook proposes limits on certain purchases, drawing opposition
Key Points: Vote delayed on handbook to allow additional input from lawmakers, account holders. Concerns over price caps and impact on families of students with disabilities remain. State board wants […]
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’s leaders must do what is necessary to restore our schools
We must acknowledge that there are Arizona schools where excellent teachers inspire students to perform at high achievement levels. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) provides cutting-edge academic standards and […]
Parent criticism sends new ESA handbook back to the drawing board
A motion to adopt a new draft of the Empowerment Scholarship Account handbook went without a second or a vote in a meeting of the State Board of Education Monday […]
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 […]
Mayes wants answers on school voucher rules, procedures
The Arizona Attorney general is investigating Arizona Department of Education procedures allowing school voucher funds for “supplementary materials” untethered to any curriculum or documentation justifying the purchase as an educational expense.
Hobbs cancels $50M for ESA all-day kindergarten
Gov. Katie Hobbs says she’s cancelling a $50 million contract that would have paid for students to attend all-day kindergarten at non-public schools using Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or school vouchers.