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school vouchers

Children at a school bus stop.
May 22, 2025

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 […]

Thousands chant as they participate in a protest at the Arizona Capitol for higher teacher pay and school funding on the first day of a state-wide teachers strike Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Phoenix. Protestors gathered in similar fashion last month at the Arizona Capitol to support the renewal of the measure set to expire. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
May 22, 2025

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 […]

May 16, 2025

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 […]

May 10, 2025

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 […]

school vouchers written on a chalkboard
May 5, 2025

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 […]

May 2, 2025

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 […]

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 […]

Apr 18, 2025

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 […]

school vouchers written on a chalkboard
Mar 25, 2025

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 […]

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 […]

Mayes, Horne, vouchers, ESAs, parents, students
Jul 10, 2024

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. 

all-day kindergarten, half-day kindergarten, Hobbs, ESA
May 26, 2023

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. 

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