It’s crystal clear: Vouchers aren’t for Arizona’s poor kids

Every legislator, every Arizonan who cares about the future of this state should read Rob O’Dell’s and Yvonne Wingett Sanchez’s startling analysis of Arizona’s school voucher program. Legislators tell us the program is aimed at helping Arizona’s disadvantaged students get out of poorly performing public schools.

Reality tells us the program is helping suburban kids get out of high-performing schools — allowing them to go to private school on the public’s dime. Consider the reporters’ findings: This year, more than 75 percent of the public money diverted to Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (read: vouchers) was given to students who previously attended schools in districts with an “A” or “B” rating. A paltry 4 percent went to kids who came from districts rated “D” or “F.”

The top school districts being “escaped,” with a little help from taxpayers: Mesa, Tucson, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Chandler and Peoria.

Given the size of the vouchers, it seems pretty clear that most of the money is being used by special-needs students whose parents believe they aren’t well-served in public schools. That, in fact, was the purpose of ESAs when the program was created in 2011.

The disabled aren’t always affluent. Yet those getting vouchers mostly are coming from well-to-do areas.

And here’s the thing to note: Non-disabled poor kids in failing schools — who, unlike their affluent counterparts, already can get a voucher — aren’t making use of the program.

Probably because the voucher doesn’t come anywhere near the cost of private-school tuition, meaning those kids remain stuck in failing schools.

Senate Bill 1431 would expand Arizona’s ESA program from the 3,360 students who currently take the money and run to all 1.1 million Arizona schoolchildren by 2021. This, even though the evidence suggests that all Arizona schoolchildren won’t be able to make use of the program.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Debbie Lesko, pooh-poohs the evidence amassed by O’Dell and Wingett Sanchez.

“Right now, as you know, the majority of the children that take advantage of ESAs are special-needs students,” the Peoria Republican said. “Perhaps that’s the reason that your analysis came out the way that it does. Now, when I expand it so that all students are eligible, I am assuming we are going to see a different outcome than you have come up with.” Because … why? Because suddenly, poor students will miraculously be able to use a $5,000 public voucher to attend a $10,000 private school? Because suddenly, their parents will be able to drive them across town to get to the better schools?

More likely, we’ll just end up with two distinct educational systems.

A well-funded private system for the suburban kids whose parents can afford to pay tuition, with a little help from taxpayers.

And an underfunded public system for the poor kids whose parents cannot. Separate and shameful. Don’t do this.