Thank you for your question. The $900M was given in response to a query about what the funding would look like if the ESA enrollee number hit 100k. The third paragraph of the graphic above shows the percentage of the budget for an increase to 100k enrollees.
These numbers came directly from the budget passed and signed for the next FY.
@Soehlmom That is very true. Thanks for pointing that out. Many private schools offer tuition discounts and/or scholarships and have for decades (and will continue to do so). We’re thankful for their generosity.
@GovernorHobbs ESAs allow students and teachers the freedom to move to an educational setting that works for them when public schools aren’t working. Gov Hobbs’s plan to gut the ESA program won’t help students or teachers.
@LIESofSOSaz@arizona_sos@AZBethLewis@ESAForAllAZ They didn’t include my kids in their “worse” numbers for sure. My child that couldn’t learn to read in PS, woth ESA is now a fluent reader with the help of skilled teachers who knew was capable and was valuable enough to teach.
@LIESofSOSaz @yvkoff Sadly, I’ve noticed quite a bit of religious bigotry among anti-school choice activists. While many ESA families are religious, many are non-religious. Our grassroots group has a broad range of beliefs and viewpoints. Every family has the right to direct their child’s education.
@GovernorHobbs You know how we can create a sustainable Arizona? Invest in our future. That would be all Arizona children and providing them with an individualized education environment. ESAs do just that. #EducationForAll
46,500 students currently benefit from the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) for their education and it’s growing daily. If you are interested in finding out about the program see the link below https://t.co/d127G4ul3z #EducationForAll @RepBenToma @grantbotma@JamesTHarris
Did special needs kids (rich or poor) benefit from the original ESA program?
The answer is YES. So why wouldn't other kids benefit from the same program that's been expanded to all students?
@ChristinePMarsh we encourage you to actually speak to ESA families in your district. When public district schools deny our children a Free Appropriate Public Education, ESA sets our kids free to learn elsewhere and have their needs met.
@ChristinePMarsh Did you know public schools deny open enrollment to special education students unless they give up their IEP? Or deny based on attendance and behavioral records, both of which disadvantage students of color and low income?
@JgNightingale@MollyGalt@GovernorHobbs Parents should decide the best educational setting for their children. ESA gives them the opportunity to leave public district schools when they aren’t meeting their children’s needs.