Tamra Farah, a Parental Rights Advocate and Senior Director of MomForce, said that education funding should follow children, allowing families to choose between public, charter, private, or home-based options. This statement was made on the Grand Canyon Times podcast.
“Parents should have more options, right,” said Farah. “It’s up to them. These are their children, so if they want that money—their tax dollars—directed not to public schools but to a charter school, private school, home-based education, or a cottage or micro school, that should certainly be their choice. Parents should decide based on their children’s needs.”
According to AP News, Arizona has developed one of the most extensive school choice systems in the United States. This system is centered around its Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, which began in 2011 and expanded to universal eligibility in 2022. The policy permits all K–12 students to use public funds for private, home, or alternative schooling. This has sparked debates regarding public school funding and oversight as state leaders consider fiscal pressures.
As reported by the Common Sense Institute, as of May 2025, approximately 89,783 Arizona students were enrolled in Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. This figure is close to the estimated 108,000 students eligible for ESAs or similar tax credit scholarships. The data indicates strong participation across the state with many families opting for private or alternative education through public funding.
EdChoice reports that nationally, Arizona distinguishes itself in school choice participation. By 2024, nearly 10% of its K–12 students were involved in private school choice programs. This rate is second only to Florida’s nearly 13% participation and surpasses Ohio at 8.1%, Iowa at 6.9%, and Oklahoma at 4.5%. These figures highlight Arizona’s leadership role in adopting school choice initiatives.
Farah is a senior policy advocate focused on education and parental rights. She currently serves as Senior Director of MomForce and the MomVote initiative at Moms for America while also leading strategic advocacy with American Strategies. She brings over two decades of experience in public policy, political campaigns, and communications with a specialization in parental rights and school choice.
