Yavapai News

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria) promoted the success of the state's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) in a Tuesday Twitter post, saying the program was delivering results.

Toma wrote that universal school choice "and successful economic stewardship easily go hand in hand. ESAs are delivering life-changing results for Arizona’s families.”

According to a report by KPNX, parents have expressed concerns about the state's ESA program, such as concerns over access to funds, vendor complaints and wait times to receive funding. ESAs, or school vouchers, provide funding for students to attend private schools or for homeschooling expenses, KPNX reported. 

Although some parents support the program and the freedom it provides, others within the state warn that it drains resources from public schools and that it may be used to fund education that does not meet Arizona's academic standards. 

One parent also expressed concern about the lack of oversight for homeschooling expenses, and another worried that religious schools might use taxpayer dollars to promote certain beliefs.

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has defended the ESA program and emphasized the importance of providing families with educational options. ADE officials have stated the program is subject to oversight and accountability measures to ensure that funds are used appropriately. 

The department's website provides information on the ESA program, including eligibility requirements and application procedures, KPNX reported.

The ADE states that the ESA program is available to students who meet certain criteria and standards, such as those who are enrolled in public schools that are rated D or F or who have a parent who is a member of the military. 

Funds are based on the type of school the student attends, with private school students receiving more than homeschoolers. The ADE website offers information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, and frequently asked questions.

Arizona Schools' Superintendent Tom Horne has proposed changes to the administration of ESAs, aiming to improve services for parents and students, as well as to comply with updates to state law, according to a release on the Department of Education's website. 

The updates cover allowable education-related expenses, accreditation for tutors and teaching services, access to ESA funds and debit card use, and a change to third party payment vendors. 

Horne's proposal aims to ensure compliance with the original ESA law and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used solely for educational purposes. 

The changes come as many ESA parents have expressed concerns about the program's performance, particularly in terms of access to funds and the performance of Class Wallet, the program's third-party payment vendor. A new vendor is expected to be under contract near the end of May, the ADE reported.