In a bold and controversial move that has elicited both praise and criticism, Arizona has launched an educational revolution by introducing private school subsidies, commonly referred to as ‘school vouchers of $7,200 for every student,’ extending this opportunity to all students, regardless of their family’s income. Led by Tom Horne, the superintendent of public instruction in Arizona, this pioneering effort marks a crucial departure from the traditional limitations imposed on voucher programs.
Arizona has become the first state to make school vouchers available to every student, providing an average of $7,200 per student annually.
The program operates by depositing the allotted funds into education savings accounts for parents, empowering them with the freedom to choose between private schools or home-schooling for their children. Whether the student is currently enrolled in public school or being privately educated, the money follows the student’s educational journey.
This ambitious initiative has proved to be highly contentious yet remarkably popular, as evidenced by its rapid growth in enrollment. What started with around 12,000 students last September has now surged to over 59,000, and state officials predict that it could reach 100,000 by the following summer.
In the backdrop of the recent pandemic and the rise of the parents’ rights movement, other Republican-led states like Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, and Utah are following suit with their iterations of universal voucher programs. These initiatives signify a fundamental shift in messaging, moving away from restricted voucher eligibility towards an all-encompassing message of parent choice for every family.
Some advocates assert that parents are best equipped to decide what is best for their children’s education, and every child deserves access to high-quality learning opportunities.
“Nobody can do a better job of choosing what’s best for the child than the parents,” Horne said in an interview at the Department of Education, as reported by The New York Times.
Arizona, already a trailblazer in the realm of school choice, boasts the country’s largest share of charter school students and a robust home-schooling network. The state introduced education savings accounts in 2011 for students with disabilities, which has now expanded to encompass all students.
While proponents of the voucher program celebrate the increased options for families, opponents criticize about the potential financial strain on public education.
“The mentality is this wild, wild west, maverick-y vibe,” The New York Times quoted Beth Lewis, director of Save Our Schools Arizona, which fought the expansion, as saying.
With middling academic outcomes and relatively low public school funding, diverting funds to private and religious schools has raised apprehensions about the impact on the state’s public education system.
For the proponents, one important advantage of the voucher program is the freedom it offers to families like Ryan and Esther Brooks, who were dissatisfied with the politics they perceived within public education. The Brooks family, embracing the opportunity presented by vouchers, opted for a private Christian school that aligned better with their values.
However, critics argue that the lack of accountability for private schools and home-schooling arrangements hinders their ability to assess the academic improvement of students.
Moreover, as Arizona’s voucher program continues to expand, concerns have arisen about its potential impact on public school budgets. While the program is still relatively small, with 90% of students attending public schools, its growth may divert more public money to middle and upper-income families and religious schools.
Opponents of the program stress that this redirection of funds could further exacerbate funding disparities and leave students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds at a disadvantage.
Despite the ongoing debate surrounding the voucher program, its overarching theme of parent choice remains undeniable. Proponents argue that it empowers families to access the education they believe is best for their children, regardless of financial means.
“This is a way to bring new families that never thought they could do private school,” said Daniel Scoggin, a co-founder of Great Hearts.
On the other hand, critics emphasize the pressing need for increased investment in public schools to provide a quality education for all students.
“My biggest single concern is the spotty evidence as to whether anybody is learning anything, because we don’t have accountability built into many of these programs,” Chester E. Finn, Jr., a senior fellow at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, who supports school choice but is wary of universal expansion, is quoted as saying.
The ultimate impact of Arizona’s groundbreaking $7,200 for every student voucher program, however, still remains uncertain. As the state continues its experiment in education choice, the eyes of the nation are upon it. Regardless of one’s stance on the issue, it is undeniable that this bold initiative has set a precedent for other states to follow. Arizona’s journey towards educational transformation may hold the key to reshaping the landscape of American education, making it more diverse and inclusive while sparking crucial debates about accountability, funding, and the pursuit of academic excellence.
