Education (School Choice)

HB 2703 defines eligibility for Arizona's Education Savings Account (ESA) program, primarily affecting students with disabilities, those from low-performing schools, military families, and children in foster care. The bill establishes specific criteria for "qualified students" (e.g., those identified under federal disability law, attending schools with D/F grades, or military-connected children) and defines "micro-schools" as tuition-charging entities providing instruction without public school status. It requires schools receiving ESA funds to meet reporting standards and ensures students must have attended a public school for minimum hours or meet other specified enrollment requirements. This bill updates the legal framework governing the existing ESA program without creating new funding.

SB 1004 allows Arizona students using Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) to participate in school district sports and activities on the same terms as enrolled students. School districts must apply identical eligibility rules, fees (capped at the student’s pro rata share of costs), and academic requirements - such as passing grades and progress - to ESA students as they do for enrolled students. The bill prohibits districts from charging ESA students more than their fair share of activity costs or contracting with organizations that exclude ESA students. It also bars ESA students from participating if they were enrolled in district schools, multiple private schools, or a private school offering the activity during the same school year.