by Staff Reporter | May 26, 2024 | Education, News
By Staff Reporter |
The state spends billions more on wealthy students who attend public schools than through the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA), or universal school choice program, according to a new analysis of federal census data from the Goldwater Institute.
The study released earlier this month culminated data from the last five U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Surveys ranging from last year to this year assessing school enrollment types for K-12 children across various household incomes.
The Goldwater Institute found that together, the data revealed that nearly one-third of public school students came from households earning over $100,000, of which about half came from households earning over $150,000.
The study disclosed that the Census data, though aggregated, was limited as general approximations due to coming from sample sizes.
Over 80 percent of children from higher-income households enroll at taxpayer expense in Arizona public schools, at a much higher rate than the ESA funds. About 1.1 million students in all attend public schooling.
Goldwater estimated that the higher rate amounts to anywhere from $2 to $4 billion annually for children from households earning over $100,000, and anywhere from $1 to $2 billion for children from households earning over $150,000.
“[W]hen it comes to funding higher-income students in the public school, the state is being charged specifically for those students, whose collective presence in the public school system does add significant cost to the public school system: both variable and fixed costs, including the necessity to hire additional staff or construct or renovate for larger campuses,” read the report.
The minimum formula funding for one public school student is about $7,500 annually for a baseline. That number rises to $12,200 with the inclusion of other funds like district overrides, bonds, and school facilities funding. The minimum tops out at over $14,700 with the inclusion of federal funding.
By comparison, Goldwater reported that average ESA funds amount to about $7,400. These students also lose out on several sources of fixed and variable costs, such as the Classroom Site Fund, and those funds revert back to the public school system.
Overall, the institute estimated that it costs taxpayers 10 to 20 times more to educate students of wealthy families in public schools than it does for similarly-situated families in the ESA Program.
The Goldwater Institute issued the study on the heels of Governor Katie Hobbs’ January announcement of a budget plan to revoke ESA Program scholarships from nearly 50,000 students.
Aggregated data collected by Goldwater in the course of their research further suggested that about 20 percent of private schoolers came from households with an income under $50,000, while about 50 percent came from households with an income under $100,000.
As for homeschoolers, the institute found that nearly 60 percent of those students hailed from households with income levels under $100,000.
In addition to state and Census Bureau data, the report relied on research from the National Center for Education Statistics, Reason, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by AZ Free Enterprise Club | Apr 12, 2024 | Opinion
By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |
Everyone knows that political pundits, social media influencers, and the corporate media love a good narrative. And one of their favorites for years has been the claim that Arizona is trending blue—that a demographic shift toward Democrats is inevitable.
This ‘conventional wisdom’ is repeated so often that much of the Republican political class in the state has accepted it as fact. Some are even advising candidates that the only path forward for Republicans is to abandon their conservative principles, embrace center-left policy solutions, and settle for a future of divided government.
But a funny thing about narratives and conventional wisdom: numbers don’t lie, especially those showing party preference when people are registering to vote.
Last month, the Secretary of State updated the statewide voter registration data prior to the Presidential Preference Election. The latest figures show that Republicans are once again the largest voting bloc in Arizona, surpassing Independents by nearly 40,000. This is certainly an important development—especially given all the attention it received on social media when Independent registrations surpassed Republicans last year.
But that’s not the most significant voter registration trend…
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by Carlos Martinez | Mar 19, 2024 | Opinion
By Carlos Martinez |
Whether born in Arizona or immigrants, Hispanics play a critical role in enriching our state. We not only strive for the American dream, but we take pride in the contributions we make to Arizona and the rest of the nation. That’s especially true when it comes to our businesses and our families.
But too often, Hispanic business owners—like so many others—find themselves frustrated with regulations and red tape. And on top of that, we now have a governor in our state who is actively trying to remove educational opportunities for our children. That’s why I was excited to find the Hispanic Liberty Alliance (HLA)—an organization right here in Arizona that is dedicated to empowering the Hispanic community and fostering a sense of knowledge, freedom, and unity.
Since September 2023, HLA has been engaging with business owners, local leaders, and families throughout our state. And their promotion of educational opportunities has especially resonated with parents. Take for example, the existence of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), which are available to K-12 students in Arizona. This pivotal program supports a child’s education by covering expenses such as school tuition, unforms, books, therapies, transportation, computers, and more. But unfortunately, many Hispanic families are unaware that this program is available for their children. And even worse, now Governor Hobbs is trying to dismantle it.
Thankfully, organizations like HLA are working to inform Hispanic families about ESAs, so they can make the best decisions for their children’s academic path. Furthermore, this group encourages civic participation by offering insights into how the government works and highlighting the importance of everyone’s vote. They recognize that an informed and engaged community is a powerful one. They certainly helped me realize the significance of contributing to my community in addition to teaching me about resources and information related to governmental processes. This is so important, especially considering that many of us in the Hispanic community are unaware of the services that our elected officials provide.
For Hispanic families that are looking for better educational opportunities for their children and for Hispanic business owners who are tired of regulations and red tape, I suggest that you engage with groups like Hispanic Liberty Alliance. This organization brilliantly addresses concerns and fosters dialogue, and its advocacy for the Hispanic business community ensures our voices are heard. At a time when government overreach continues to rise, it’s refreshing to know that groups like HLA are telling our elected leaders that the Hispanic community values family and freedom first.
Carlos Martinez is a proud immigrant who has been married for 27 years with three children. He owns a construction business, has a podcast that discusses current issues using a biblical angle, and is co-pastor of a Christian church in Phoenix.
by Elizabeth Troutman | Feb 20, 2024 | Education, News
By Elizabeth Troutman |
Former boxing champion Mike Tyson recently launched a middle and high school in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy is a Cognia Accredited Micro-School in Arizona for grades six to 12.
The world Champion boxer, entertainer, and entrepreneur partnered with the Foundations Academies School System and undefeated MMA fighter Daniel Puder to start the school.
“It’s important to me that I am able to share my life experiences to inspire the next generation,” Tyson said. “This new educational institution will build core values that I am honored and grateful to be part of the Arizona community. I was thrilled to be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony and meeting some of the students.”
The price of tuition is covered through the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) and internal school scholarships.
Since late 2022, all Arizona students have been eligible for an ESA as a K-12 student or as a preschool student with a disability. Families with qualifying students enrolled in the ESA program can use their ESA funds for expenses including educational services, education providers, curriculum, and other educational expenses.
Tyson’s school aims to “redefine learning by combining innovation, financial literacy, mentorship, and community engagement.” The academy will provide quality education and opportunities for personal growth to every youth regardless of their academic challenges, ethnicity, or socio-economic status, the Feb. 15 news release says.
“As a society, we get to build our youths for the next generation,” Puder said. “We are so blessed to have Mike Tyson part of our school system. He inspires our students.”
To enroll their child, parents can contact (480) 448-5181.
Elizabeth Troutman is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send her news tips using this link.
by AZ Free Enterprise Club | Jan 20, 2024 | Opinion
By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |
If any business owner saw 450% growth in one of the company’s products or programs during a 15-month period, they would be ecstatic. And it’s safe to say that whatever that program was doing must be working. But for Governor Katie Hobbs and her allies in the teachers’ unions, who have never been known for their math skills, it’s a completely different story when it comes to the ESA program.
Back in July 2022, when then-Governor Doug Ducey signed universal school choice expansion into Arizona law, 13,400 students were enrolled in the ESA program. That number has now grown—as of January 16, 2024—to an astounding 73,415 students—a near 450% growth. Clearly, the program is in high demand, and it is definitely working. But after signing the Republican budget bill last year, without any cap or restrictions on ESAs, Hobbs is now trying to push a barrage of regulations that would effectively dismantle the popular program…
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