Analysis of Arizona ESA data shows participation tilts toward high-income ZIP codes
A new analysis found that students from high-income ZIP codes are enrolled in Arizona's school voucher program at a higher rate than students from low-income postal zones.
Watch: Can Arizona's ESA program be reformed? Democratic candidate for superintendent of public instruction Dr. Terry Leyba Ruiz weighs in | 10 mins
A new analysis found that students from high-income ZIP codes are enrolled in Arizona’s school voucher program at a higher rate than students from low-income postal zones.
Data compiled by The Associated Press shows that 11.2% of high-income ZIP code students receive Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds. Meanwhile, just 4% of low-income ZIP code students use the vouchers. The analysis covers students ages 5 to 17.
Low-income ZIP codes are defined in the study as postal zones with a median household income of $35,000 or below. High-income ZIP codes have a median household income of $153,000 or above.
The overall trend shows that the percentage of students in a ZIP code receiving ESA funds increases along with income.
The ESA program allows families to use public education tax dollars for private school or homeschooling expenses. It was created in 2011 for special education students and became universal in 2022, allowing any Arizona family to sign up.
Supt. Tom Horne questions findings of ESA income analysis
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, an ESA supporter, said the analysis is skewed because 80% of new voucher recipients were already private or home school students when the program expanded four years ago.
“A ZIP code is too large an area to be indicative of the economic status of ESA users. A better measure is that people with a lot of money tended to be in private schools already,” he said.
The trend shifted as the voucher program grew to include over 100,000 students. Horne said that 60% of new ESA users are now coming from public schools. He said that means the average income of ESA users is dropping over time.
Voucher opponent says voucher income disparity needs to be addressed
Tyler Kowch, communications manager for education advocacy group Save Our Schools Arizona, said the high number of ESA adoptees who were already in private schools means the program is funding families who may not need the extra boost. He also criticized the state education department for how it reports ESA families’ income.
“It’s really hard to kind of track this data, because all we have from the Department of Education is ZIP code data. We don’t actually have data on income of people in the program. So, it would be really fantastic if the Department of Education could collect some actual data on what’s going on in the program,” he said.
Kowch noted that that the median household income was around $75,000 a year.
“We really need to right size this program and return that funding to where it could really be put to the most use,” he said.
Kowch believes the data is proof that ESA reform is needed.
Save Our Schools Arizona and teacher’s union the Arizona Education Association is collection petition signatures for a ballot initiative to add oversight and restrictions to the program. The measure — the “Protect Education Act” — would prevent families with household incomes over $150,000 from receiving ESA funds.
“It’s really just focused on making sure that the people who actually need support for this [school] choice that they’re making are the ones who are going to get support, rather than people who were already in private school who could already afford a voucher on their own,” he said.
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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Comments
5 Comments
Save Our Schools Arizona:
"...high number of ESA adoptees who were already in private schools means the program is funding families who may not need the extra boost."
When this boondoggle was expanded 3-4 years ago, it was widely known and reported that 60-70% of the new enrollees had never been in public school - obvious evidence that the little darlings were not struggling in public schools and therefore needed private/specialized education. Rather, they were in families that could comfortably afford private school and DON'T NEED THE MONEY taken from public schools.
Old Buzzard Horne:
"...the analysis is skewed because 80% of new voucher recipients were already private or home school students when the program expanded four years ago."
Bingo sir, you win the Captain Obvious prize for galactically obtuse stupidity!
"It was created in 2011 for special education students"
There sure are a lot of rich kids with learning disabilities.
I've read Arizona schools proficiency in math and reading hovers in the 30s percentiles. This might have something to do with those fleeing the system.