PHOENIX, AZ (January 26, 2012)—A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has rejected a lawsuit challenging Arizona’s landmark Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, the first-of-its-kind private school choice program that benefits special needs children.
The American Federation for Children—the nation’s voice for school choice—praised the ruling as a victory for parents, students, and education reform advocates. The lawsuit, brought forth by the Arizona School Boards Association and the Arizona Education Association, will likely be appealed, according to lawyers arguing on behalf of the program.
The Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program grants education savings accounts to eligible parents of students with special needs. Parents can use those funds for a host of educational purposes, including tuition, tutoring, and school supplies. There are currently 142 students enrolled in the program.
“The real winners here are the parents and the children who are benefiting from this groundbreaking school choice program,” said Betsy DeVos, chairman of the American Federation for Children. “It is long past time for special interests to cease challenging laws that empower parents and give hope to disadvantaged children.”
Read more at American Federation for Children
Loading ...
