Thanks to Christa for passing along this article to me today.  Apparently the state of Arizona took one positive step in the right direction for education.  There is a scholarship fund called the Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account that will fund 90% of the state’s allotted per-pupil money that would normally to go the public schools, to families of students with disabilities who need alternative education.  My advocate told me about this when we were fighting the district.  And actually, the special education director suggested it to me after they denied our request for district-funded placement.  That’s when we took the gamble with our attorney and settled out of court.

However, there have been too many times when I thought about where Emma would go after those two years are up (the two years of private education won in our settlement).  It would be the Empowerment Scholarship that I would apply for to help us continue her private education.  Fast forward to now…there are a few groups who oppose these scholarship programs for these students, citing that they are unconstitutional and take away resources from the public schools.

A Maricopa County Superior Judge ruled on Wednesday that a scholarship fund for students with disabilities DOES NOT violate the Arizona Constitution.  This is a pretty big deal, as this will help other families whose special needs kiddos need alternative education afford private placement.

Please take a few minutes and read the full article here.  It is really an eye-opener.  I’m pretty happy about this step in the right direction!

What are your thoughts on the article?

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