The Arizona Constitution directs the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) to regulate the public school system in Arizona. A.R.S. § 15-203 summarizes the Board’s powers and duties. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) administers state education programs, including the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA). While ADE manages daily operations (described as administrative tasks in statute) for the ESA program, SBE creates administrative rules, files regulations with the Arizona Secretary of State and enforces Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) for the education alternative.
Due Dates for Public Comments
State Board of Education Passes ESA Handbook
Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) voted 6 to 2 to adopt the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) handbook on April 24, 2023 despite parents contending the document failed to align the educational options scholarship with Arizona statutes and rules for the program.
04-24-2023 Recorded Meeting
04-24-2023 Minutes
04-24-2023 Meeting Materials & Supporting Documents
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=112020&MID=2725
Under 4. Call to the Public
• Christine Accurso Public Comment (2 pages)
• ESA Public Comments (392 pages)
• ESA Late MARCH Public Comments & General Feedback (15 pages)
Under 5. General Session
• 04-24-2023 ADE ESA Presentation
• ESA 2023-24 Parent Handbook v2 Final
• ESA FY24 Handbook Red-Lined by SBE Staff 4.20.23
State Board of Education Schools ESA Director with Special Session
Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) held a Special Board Meeting to discuss the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program handbook on March 30, 2023. Board President Dr. Daniel P. Corr, community college president, called it a “workshop.”
03-30-2023 Recorded Meeting
03-30-2023 Minutes
03-30-2023 Meeting Materials & Supporting Documents
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=112020&MID=2719
Under 1. Call to the Public
• ESA Public Comments for March Special Board Meeting (242 pages)
• ESA Late Public Comments and General Feedback (37 pages)
Under 2. Presentation
• ADE Example of Parent Prepared Curriculum (1 page)
• Member Clark Comments 3.30.23 (4 pages)
• ADE ESA FY24 Handbook Survey Data (243 pages)
• ESA 2023-24 Parent Handbook Proof (108 pages)
School Choice Program Handbook Shaped by Special Interests
Christine Accurso, executive director for the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, admitted on March 20, 2023 in the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) public meeting to enlisting assistance from the American Federation for Children, an agenda-driven special interest school privatization effort, in editing the ESA handbook.
03-20-2023 Recorded Meeting
03-20-2023 Minutes
03-20-2023 Meeting Materials & Supporting Documents
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=112020&MID=2714
Under 2. Call to the Public
• ESA Public Comments (224 pages)
• ESA Handbook Comments (152 pages)
• ESA Late FEB Public Comments & Post FEB Board Meeting Feedback (246 pages)
Parents and Vendors Claim Maladministration in ESA Program
Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) parents and vendors made emotional public statements on February 27, 2023 to the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) about maladministration under Christine Accurso. Stakeholders reported education interruptions, reimbursement delays and ACH payment reversals that resulted in overdrawn bank accounts.
02-27-2023 Recorded Meeting
02-27-2023 Minutes
02-27-2023 Meeting Materials & Supporting Documents
https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=112020&MID=2703
under 2. Call to the Public
• 2b: ESA Facilities & Accreditation Public Comments (10 pages)
• 2c: ESA Debit Cards Public Comments (176 pages)
• 2d: ESA General Public Comments (166 pages)
• 2e: ESA Other Emails Public Comments (59 pages)