CURRENT GRADE: B
Arizona has the most robust student friendly education freedom options in the nation. The AZ ESA program is an example of tax dollars following the student in a manner that offers robust options for parents. In addition, AZ offers options for individuals and businesses to contribute to education programs and receive tax credits. Proper fiscal management led to a budget surplus for the Education Department in 2024. While the ESA program is one of the best in the nation, it is still limited to a small percentage of students.
Arizona has very parent friendly homeschooling laws with no testing requirements.
Compulsory education is required for ages 6-16. If the child is 14 years old and employed, with the consent of the parent/guardian the parent can be excluded from the compulsory education requirement. The child may alternatively be enrolled in a work training or vocational education training program approved by Dept of Education.
Education Options
Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA)
- ESA dollars cover multiple education expenses such as private school tuition, curricula, educational supplies, tutoring and more.
- 90% of state tax dollars go to the qualified student.
- Parent/guardian signs a contract regarding how money can be used.
- ESA funding can be used to pay private school tuition, for curriculum, home education, tutoring and more.
- Funding is not provided while enrolled concurrently in a public school.
- Average funding for 2024 was approx. $7,000-$8,000 per student. Students with disabilities qualify for more.
- Accountability measures are in place through statute (stronger accountability than with public school dollars).
- Approximately 71,000 students received ESA contributions.
Lexie’s Law: Tax Credit Scholarships for Disabled/Displaced Students
- Provides up to $5 million annually in k-12 education scholarships to qualified disabled/displaced students so that they may attend qualified private schools that best fit their learning needs.
- The scholarships are funded by companies that redirect their Arizona corporate income or insurance premium taxes to eligible School Tuition Organizations and in return receive tax credits.
- Students who qualify:
Identified as having a disability under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or identified at any time by a school district as a child with a disability as defined in § 15-761 or a child with a disability who is eligible to receive services from a school district under § 15-763, or Placed in foster care in Arizona pursuant to A.R.S. Title 8, Chapter 5 at any time before the student graduates from high school or obtains a general equivalency diploma.
Certified School Tuition Organization Tax Credits
- Two separate nonrefundable tax credits are available to individuals for contributions made to a Certified School Tuition Organization which provides scholarships for students enrolled in Arizona private schools.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state laws on the topic of homeschooling:
- Parent must file an affidavit of intent to homeschool with the county school superintendent that includes the name, birthday, and address of the child. It shall also include parent/guardian names, phone numbers, and addresses.
Religious Exemptions:
- Arizona has no religious exemption specific laws regarding compulsory education.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
