Known as “The Gang of Three,” school choice opponents, Republican Representatives Michelle Udall, Joel John, and Joanne Osborne, appear to have found a new way to make school choice less desirable for many families. At least that appears to be the case with their latest bill, HB2185, which adds a testing requirement restriction to Arizona Education Scholarship Account and STO programs.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Udall and co-sponsored by Representatives John and Osborne, requires that parent hoping to use the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) and School Tuition Organization (STO) programs must agree to force their child to take a national standardized assessment.
“Based on their sponsorship of this bill and their votes last year these three “Republican” representatives seem more interested in putting up obstacles rather than creating opportunities for students and protecting parental rights,” former Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas told the Arizona Daily Independent. “Parents need to question whose side will Rep. Udall represent should she become Superintendent Udall and be administering the ESA program.”
The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is administered by the Arizona Department of Education, and distributes public funding to eligible families to pursue flexible options for customizing their children’s education. School Tuition Organizations (STOs) are established to receive income tax credit contributions that fund scholarships for students to attend qualified private schools located throughout Arizona.
“One of the great things about Arizona’s school choice laws is that the state is prohibited from having control over private schools.” said one education advocate, “But Udall’s bill seems to violate ARS 15-161 by requiring kids to take tests that are not required within their school’s curriculum. This isn’t an accident, this is Osborne, Udall, and John taking another shot at school choice by trying to add more government and more tests to schools that are already doing a great job for their kids.”
Critics say the sponsors of HB2185 are disqualifying students from STO scholarships and ESA funding based on parents exerting their rights to make decisions regarding their children’s’ education.
While the vast majority of Republican lawmakers were hoping to expand the ESA and STO programs, few Capitol insiders are surprised by the actions of Udall, John, and Osborne. The same three lawmakers were instrumental in killing ESA expansion last year, earning them censure from the Maricopa County Republican Party and criticism from leading GOP candidates for Governor, like Matt Salmon and Kari Lake.
Activists are already asking what will be next? “What other rights will we have to forfeit for our children to be eligible for STO scholarships or ESAs?” asked a concerned parent.
The Arizona Daily Independent reached out to the three lawmakers for answers, but they did not respond to our inquiry.