Jason Bedrick, a Research Fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, recently posted on X findings from a new Arizona Department of Education report on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs). The data counters common criticisms of Arizona’s universal ESA program, which has become a national model for educational freedom.
The Arizona Dept. of Ed’s new ESA report is out. Most new ESA students switched from attending a public school in the year prior to taking an ESA.
A higher % of ESA kids have special needs than in AZ public schools.
Two anti-ESA myths busted. pic.twitter.com/nT3hgaxQ2c
— Jason Bedrick 🇺🇸🎗️🇮🇱 (@JasonBedrick) February 28, 2025
These findings directly contradict claims often made by opponents of educational freedom. Critics have repeatedly argued that ESAs primarily benefit families who were already in private schools and that the program diverts resources away from students with special needs. The Arizona Department of Education’s official data shows exactly the opposite – most ESA students are switching from public schools, and the program is serving a higher proportion of special needs students than public schools.
Arizona’s ESAs are vital for protecting parents’ fundamental right to direct their children’s education. As the first state to implement universal educational freedom through ESAs, Arizona continues to lead the way in putting students first by ensuring families can choose the best educational option for their children. Despite ongoing opposition, the program’s popularity and success demonstrate that educational freedom benefits all students, especially those with unique learning needs. CAP will continue advocating for the protection and expansion of ESAs to ensure every Arizona family has access to the educational environment that best meets their children’s needs.
Learn more about ESAs here.