New voucher funding numbers show staggering inequalities in how Arizona’s K-12 dollars are allocated, revealing that 1 in every 10 of Arizona’s K-12 state aid dollars are now funding vouchers. Read the full report in our newest blog. 

A Shocking Disparity: Supt. Horne recently released new numbers from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) breaking down the state share of spending for district schools, charter schools, and ESA vouchers. These dollars have been budgeted by the state legislature to fund Arizona’s K-12 schools — at 49th in the nation per student. Horne’s newest numbers show a shocking disparity between how funds are allocated across Arizona’s different school systems and how many students benefit. 

These numbers reveal that the ESA voucher program now uses 11.3% of Arizona’s K-12 budget, despite only serving 6.3% of Arizona’s student population. More than one in every ten of Arizona’s K-12 state dollars now funds private school vouchers. Horne’s numbers also show that $713.9 million in taxpayer funding went to vouchers last year — meaning approximately $500 million in new funding for universal, non-targeted vouchers was redirected from local public schools to private schools with no oversight or accountability. 

A Clear Disinvestment from Local Public Schools

The state share of funding for publicly funded charter schools and vouchers for students attending private schools and receiving home education paints a clear picture of disinvestment from community-based public education, especially when comparing student populations. Despite serving nearly 3 out of 4 students in Arizona (74.2%), public district schools only receive 56.7% of state per-pupil funding — a 17.5-point differential that severely impacts the resources students can access and the ability of districts to adequately pay teachers and staff. 

In comparison, charter schools only serve 19.5% of Arizona students, but take in 31.9% of K-12 state per-pupil dollars. While charter schools are public schools that operate using public funds, they are allowed to turn a profit under Arizona state law, unlike public district schools. Gov. Katie Hobbs has called upon the Legislature to ensure that all Arizona schools that take state funds are operating on an even playing field. Based on the numbers recently cited by the ADE, this is not even close to the current reality in Arizona. 

How to Move Arizona Schools Forward

Arizona’s public schools are not only funded at 49th in the nation, they’re also receiving far less per pupil than their charter and private counterparts — despite the fact that Arizona’s state constitution clearly requires the legislature to “enact such laws as shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a general and uniform public school system” (Section 1 of Article XI). 

Under the current system, Arizona’s public school teachers are massively underfunded, classrooms are woefully under-resourced, and students are unable to access the academic and extracurricular opportunities they need to be successful. 

We must elect lawmakers who will pass strong public policy to rein in the voucher program and to fix these glaring disparities so that all students have access to quality public schools in their neighborhoods, regardless of zip code, race, family income, or background. See the Take Action section for ways to plug in and get involved!

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