Nearly 100 Arizona Private Schools Meet on New Statewide School Choice Law

This week in Arizona, dozens of private school administrators flooded into a high school gym to learn about the expansion of education savings accounts as a school choice option to all families in the state. The large event, held by the American Federation for Children, drew schools from all over the state. The sweeping expansion of education savings accounts, known as Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), will go into effect this coming school year. As families learn about the new law, private school administrators say they are getting increased interest from parents wanting to use an ESA at their schools.
The new ESA law will be phased in over the course of 5 years by grade level until all Arizona public school children are eligible to use an ESA as an option. ESAs can pay for a variety of education expenses including private school tuition, online curriculum, home schooling, dual enrollment classes, therapies, tutors, books, uniforms and other education expenses.