Tom Horne, President | Arizona Department of Education
The state board has agreed to adopt a new ESA Parent Handbook, marking a significant update to the guidelines governing the Education Savings Account (ESA) program. Superintendent Tom Horne expressed satisfaction with the board's decision, stating, “I am very pleased that the board has endorsed the updated handbook. The changes reflect the needs of parents to have clarity in how ESA expenses are reviewed, allow the department to continue its efforts to ensure the program is well-managed and that taxpayer dollars are used for appropriate educational purposes. Anything less would potentially damage the ESA program. I am committed to its long-term sustainability because it is a vital way for parents to have the freedom to choose the best education for their children.”
Horne further explained that over a year ago, concerns were raised by some parents and legislators regarding proposed updates. In response, he initiated a delay in implementation to gather more input on potential changes. “More than a year ago, in response to concerns some parents and legislators had about the proposed updates to the handbook, I made the motion, which the board accepted, to delay implementation so that we could gather more input for proposed changes,” Horne stated.
An advisory group consisting of parents was formed by Horne's department and worked extensively over several months on developing these changes. This process was later expanded with additional town halls and responses from lawmakers' requests. "Today those many months of work have culminated in the updated handbook," Horne concluded.
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