The Arizona State Board of Education in an 8-1 decision approved a new Empowerment Scholarship Account handbook despite parents' opposition.
The ESA program allows parents of qualified students to use state tax dollars to purchase materials and services for educational purposes.
ESA Executive Director John Ward, who gave a presentation at Monday’s meeting, explained that ESA staff rely on experts to make sure students are getting the services they need.
“Currently, ESA staff relies on licensed professionals or qualified examiners and now special education teachers, to write letters and explain what items and services students need based on their disability and situations,” said Ward.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne noted that parents who were in support of this updated handbook are less likely to have comments.
“Those that are happy with the program would typically not respond ... We estimate about 211 people that did, out of about 90,000 ESA users ... The handbook is a big improvement over the last handbook,” Horne told The Center Square.
