Arizona’s School Choice Expansion Very Likely to Be Halted as Signatures Mount for ESA Blockage

Arizona’s historic legislation expanding school choice to every child in the state appears to be on hold right now, as a ballot measure aimed at stopping the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) expansion will probably make the 2024 ballot. Save Our Schools Arizona (SOSAZ) said its signature collectors turned in 141,714 signatures for “Stop Voucher Expansion” to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office on Friday. Only 118,823 valid signatures were required by September 24, leaving room for error with bad signatures.

Jenny Clark, the founder of Arizona-based Love Your School and a new appointee to the Arizona State Board of Education whose children participate in the ESAs, told The Arizona Sun Times, “Today 11,000 Arizona students had the opportunity of an ESA put on hold. Every day that a child struggles in a school that’s not working for them is detrimental. But this is far from over. We will be monitoring the signature verification process, and continuing to walk alongside Arizona families and their children.”

Voters may refer new legislation to the ballot for voter approval if they gather the signatures of registered Arizona voters equal to at least 5 percent of all votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Opponents had 80 days to gather 118,823 signatures to pause the law.

The law, HB 2853, expands ESAs to all children in grades 1-12, who would qualify to receive over $6,500 per year for private school, homeschooling, “learning pods,” tutoring, or any other kinds of educational service that would best fit students’ needs (kindergartners receive $4,000). The ESAs differ from traditional school vouchers, which can only be used at private schools. Previously, the program was limited to children in failing public schools or public schools that were not able to meet their special needs.

Read the rest of the article at The Arizona Sun Times
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