Arizona’s Education Voucher Program Faces Proposed Reforms
Arizona’s expansive school voucher program, which has surged to nearly a billion-dollar annual cost since its inception in 2022, is now under scrutiny. Two education advocacy organizations have put forward a ballot initiative aiming to introduce significant changes to the program.
The proposed measure seeks to disqualify families earning over $150,000 annually from participating. Additionally, it aims to establish accountability standards for private schools, particularly concerning testing procedures, background checks, and handling allegations of misconduct.
Beth Lewis from Save Our Schools Arizona expressed frustration over the legislative inaction. “Arizona lawmakers have refused now for three sessions in a row, you know, we’re in the fourth, where this program was universal. And they have just stubbornly refused to make any headway,” she noted.
Concerns have also been raised about the program’s misuse. The Arizona Department of Education has been initially approving expenses up to $2,000, leading some families to exploit the system by purchasing luxury items such as jewelry and vacations.
—
Read More Arizona News
