by Ethan Faverino | Jun 24, 2025 | Education, News
By Ethan Faverino |
The Arizona State Board of Education has adopted the Arizona Department of Education’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) Parent Handbook for the upcoming school year.
This updated handbook was approved on June 23, 2025, by an 8-1 vote after more than a year of gathering feedback from parents and lawmakers.
“I am very pleased that the board has endorsed the updated handbook. The changes reflect the needs of parents to have clarity in how ESA expenses are reviewed, allow the department to continue its efforts to ensure the program is well-managed and that taxpayer dollars are used for appropriate educational purposes. Anything less would potentially damage the ESA program. I am committed to its long-term sustainability because it is a vital way for parents to have the freedom to choose the best education for their children,” said Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
The ESA program allows Arizona parents to use state funds for educational expenses like tutoring, homeschooling materials, and private school tuition. The handbook serves as a guide for parents on how to comply with the program rules and ultimately make sure all funds are used for appropriate educational purposes. It also covers eligibility, application process, and allowed and prohibited expenses.
The 2024-2025 handbook outlined basic ESA rules, eligibility, and allowed expenses, but lacked specificity in certain areas, particularly Special Education students. It provided general guidance on expenses like educational therapies, but did not include a structured approach to evaluate expenses for students with diverse needs, making it difficult for parents to navigate approvals for Special Education requirements.
The updated 2025-2026 handbook addressed these issues with a broader, more flexible framework for evaluating expenses for Special Education students. There are more explicit guidelines for how expenses are approved and evaluating expenses for students with unique needs, such as specialized therapies, adaptive equipment, and individualized educational materials.
However, some parents believe that the language is still too vague, indicating the ongoing challenges in fully meeting Special Education requirements.
During the Arizona State Board of Education board meeting, ESA Director John Ward defended the broad language that was used in the ESA Parent Handbook and said that it provides flexibility to address varied students’ needs.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 24, 2025 | Economy, News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A new law is opening the door for expanded career opportunities in dental care, and the Arizona School of Dental Assisting (ASDA) is welcoming the change.
Senate Bill 1124, signed into law on March 31, 2025, officially establishes the position of Oral Preventive Assistant (OPA), a new role that broadens the scope of practice for dental assistants in Arizona. The law aims to enhance preventive care services while addressing workforce shortages in the dental field.
Under the legislation, dental assistants can qualify to become OPAs by completing a board-approved training program totaling at least 120 hours of clinical and classroom instruction. Applicants must also hold certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), coronal polishing, and radiography, along with either a national certification in dental assisting or a diploma from an accredited dental assisting program.
Once certified, OPAs will be allowed to perform certain preventive services on patients evaluated by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist. The law limits such procedures to individuals who are periodontally healthy or exhibit mild, localized gingivitis.
The Arizona School of Dental Assisting says it is ready to help students meet the new requirements and seize the opportunity to grow within the profession.
“Our curriculum is designed to build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge,” the school said in a statement. “By equipping future dental professionals with the tools and education they need to pursue certification and the 120-hour course advancement, ASDA continues to play a vital role in supporting Arizona’s dental workforce.”
Lisa Stevenson, ASDA’s CEO and founder, urged students to take full advantage of the new pathway. “Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great,” she said, encouraging future OPAs to invest in their education and embrace the potential of this expanded role.
The new law is expected to not only provide professional growth for dental assistants, but also improve access to preventive dental care across the state—especially in underserved areas.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jun 23, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
A new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) Arizona has shed light on the growing trend of homeschooling and the associated costs nationwide, using Utah as an example and revealing both the financial burden and opportunities for families opting out of in-person public education. The in-depth study, released Wednesday, explores the economic and educational landscape of home-based learning, particularly in light of Utah’s innovative Utah Fits All (UFA) scholarship program, a similar but far more limited program than Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA).
According to the CSI report, nearly 30,000 Utah students applied for 10,000 UFA scholarships in 2024, with an estimated 80% of recipients using the funds for homeschooling. These $8,000-per-student scholarships have expanded access to educational resources, enabling families to afford formal programs, online classes, tutoring, and specialized instruction. Although a fraction of the Arizona ESA program’s more than 86,000 students, Utah’s UFA presents a reasonable sample size.
One Utah parent, homeschooling seven children, told CSI Arizona that the UFA scholarship allowed their youngest child to access structured online courses, a resource unavailable to their older siblings.
“Nearly all respondents who shared feedback cited UFA as enabling greater ‘access to opportunities,’” the report states, highlighting the program’s role in addressing parental demand for a greater diversity of educational options.
The report estimates homeschooling costs in Utah range widely, from $700 to $70,000 annually, depending on the services and resources families choose. Unlike traditional schools, homeschooling families are frequently left to absorb significant expenses, such as curriculum materials and facility costs, which are not covered by public funding outside of programs like UFA.
Homeschooling’s rise in Utah and Arizona both mirror national trends, with the report citing an increase to as much as 11% of U.S. students being homeschooled since 2020. In Utah, public school enrollment has declined by 0.3% since its 2021 peak, with district schools losing over 6,000 students between 2021 and 2024, largely driven by smaller kindergarten classes. A similar phenomenon was observed in Arizona by CSI. Meanwhile, charter school enrollment also grew by 1,500 students over the same period. The report seems to reinforce CSI’s earlier observations that dissatisfaction with traditional school environments or curricula is a key driver of homeschooling demand, predating the introduction of UFA and the Arizona ESA.
Despite Utah’s $10.2 billion investment in public education, only about $1 billion supports charter schools, and homeschooling families have historically relied heavily on personal funds to get by, putting added stress on families already suffering under inflation. The UFA program, launched in 2024, created a significant shift, offering financial relief and flexibility to homeschooling parents.
Programs such as UFA in Utah and ESA in Arizona are responding to growing parental demand for tailored learning experiences, and as homeschooling continues to expand, the study calls for greater transparency in tracking participation and costs to better tailor it and programs like it to the evolving needs of homeschooling students.
CSI Arizona concluded, “Over the past five years, the K-12 landscape in the United States has changed dramatically. Today, there are fewer kids in America’s traditional public schools than before the pandemic, and far more children are being homeschooled.
“At the same time, the nature and cost of homeschooling has changed as it has grown. Today’s homeschoolers often started out either enrolled in or considering the traditional school system, and are looking for a rigorous educational experience that includes diverse and formalized coursework, curriculum, and standards. Providing that is costly – comparable in costs to other traditional schools, or even more expensive per-pupil once all costs (direct and hidden) are accounted for.”
CSI added that state policymakers “should carefully consider the consequences of policies that continue treating students differently based on where they go to school – especially if those differences are based on assumptions that underestimate the cost of non-traditional options.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 23, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona lawmakers have taken a significant step to strengthen protections for domestic animals with the final legislative passage of Senate Bill 1658, a measure designed to broaden the scope of what constitutes animal cruelty under state law. The bill, sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, now heads to Governor Katie Hobbs for consideration.
SB 1658 aims to crack down on neglect and abuse by explicitly requiring pet owners and caregivers to provide essential care, including timely medical attention. The legislation adds legal consequences for those who intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly fail to prevent unnecessary suffering of animals under their custody or control.
“How we treat our animal friends says a lot about our society,” said Senator Bolick following the Senate vote. “There are too many stories of animal cruelty around Arizona, leading to the necessity of this legislation to help protect their well-being. These innocent animals are voiceless, but when they suffer, it speaks volumes.”
The measure passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan support. Advocates say the bill fills a critical gap in existing law by clearly defining minimum standards of care and reinforcing the responsibility of animal owners to act in the best interest of their pets’ health.
Dr. Steven Hansen, President and CEO of the Arizona Humane Society, praised the bill’s advancement. “This landmark victory is a powerful testament to what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together to champion change,” Hansen said. “It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our steadfast advocates who stood up for the voiceless… and the fierce leadership of the bill sponsor, Senator Shawnna Bolick.”
SB 1658 will mark a significant milestone in Arizona’s efforts to prevent animal abuse and promote responsible pet ownership.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 23, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona voters will weigh in next year on a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar the state and local governments from taxing drivers based on how many miles they travel, as well as from placing limits on an individual’s vehicle mileage.
The proposed amendment, which will be placed on the November 2026 ballot, would make Arizona the first state in the nation to constitutionally prohibit vehicle miles traveled (VMT) taxes and related mileage restrictions.
VMT taxes—also referred to as mileage-based user fees—charge drivers a per-mile fee for use of public roads. While proponents argue the system offers a fairer alternative to traditional gas taxes, especially as electric vehicles become more common, opponents have raised concerns about privacy, government overreach, and potential impacts on rural and suburban drivers.
Currently, 24 states are testing or have launched VMT programs, according to the Tax Foundation. Most are voluntary and focus on electric or hybrid vehicles. Only Hawaii has a mandatory VMT program scheduled to take effect in stages, beginning with electric vehicles by 2028 and light-duty vehicles by 2033. Oregon was the first to implement a voluntary VMT system in 2015.
Supporters of Arizona’s constitutional amendment say it’s a preemptive strike to protect driver freedom and block what they see as a growing trend of government intrusion.
“As we have seen in other states, governments left to their own devices will succumb to radical attempts to track, tax, or limit their citizens’ transportation miles,” said Scot Mussi, president of the Arizona Free Enterprise Club, which has long opposed VMTs. “The Arizona Free Enterprise Club has been fighting for the Freedom to Move Act since 2023,” Mussi added. “We are thrilled that our Republican-majority legislature chose to give voters the ability to protect their way of life by preserving our freedom to travel by personal vehicle in our state.”
SCR 1004 marks the legislature’s second attempt to advance such a measure. A similar proposal—House Concurrent Resolution 2018—passed the House in 2024 but failed in the Senate in a 15–15 tie. Under Arizona law, constitutional amendments approved by the legislature do not require the governor’s signature to go to the ballot.
SCR 1004 is the first measure officially certified for the 2026 ballot. Lawmakers are still considering 20 other proposals—eight constitutional amendments and 12 referred statutes—that could also appear before voters next year. If voters approve SCR 1004, Arizona would become the first state to embed a ban on VMT taxes and mileage limits into its constitution—setting a potentially influential precedent in the national transportation policy debate.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Jonathan Eberle | Jun 22, 2025 | News
By Jonathan Eberle |
A scheduled confirmation hearing for Karen Lee Peters, Governor Katie Hobbs’ nominee to lead the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), was abruptly postponed on Wednesday by the Senate Director Nominations Committee.
Committee Chair Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) announced the delay just hours before the hearing was set to begin, citing unresolved questions about certain aspects of Peters’ background that surfaced during the vetting process.
“Based on possible discrepancies with information relating to items we vetted, further clarification is necessary prior to holding Ms. Peters’ confirmation hearing,” Hoffman said in a written statement. He did not specify the nature of the discrepancies, nor whether they pertained to Peters’ previous professional experience or policy positions.
The postponement also came as the Arizona Senate worked to advance the state budget, which Hoffman noted was straining staff capacity.
“Given the Senate attempting to move the state budget today, our staff is stretched thin, and it is best to simply table the nomination for now,” Hoffman said. “I have communicated to Hobbs’ staff that we will reschedule her hearing soon.”
Peters’ confirmation is one of several being closely watched, as the Republican-controlled Senate continues to scrutinize the Democratic governor’s nominees for key state agencies.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
