The ESA program expanded a year ago to become a universal voucher system for families who choose to educate their children at home or send their children to private schools. Currently, 67,000 Arizona students receive ESA money, which varies from $7,300 to approximately $43,000 annually, depending on whether the child has any disabilities.
The state provides some guidance on allowable and disallowable expenses in a handbook for parents. When something is not on the list, Ward said, “a family would have to submit a curriculum showing what they're teaching and what the scope and sequence is, and they would submit that to us. Our staff would review it.”
In a follow-up email Ward stated, “There is information included in these boxes that may make them allowable; however, we will be reviewing that information to make a final determination.” ABC15 also found a Valley company that advertises the option to learn how to drive in a luxury car, like a BMW or Tesla. The ESA program paid for 77 transactions for the driving lessons, averaging $835 each.
“Not all children fit within the box of public education,” Woodard said. “He had been kicked out of a couple of schools; they couldn't accommodate his needs.” Woodard said she did have one requested item, a weaving loom, rejected by ESA administrators, but everything else she asked for has been approved. She believes the number of people trying to abuse the system is a small percentage.