Grand Canyon Times

More than three-quarters of Arizona parents support Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), according to a new poll released by the Yes. Every Kid. Foundation.

"The poll conducted by WPA Intelligence on behalf of yes. every kid. foundation. found that over three-quarters of parents (78%) and almost two-thirds of non-parents (62%) support ESAs," according to a release by the foundation. "When voters were informed of efforts to kick thousands of kids, including those with special needs, out of the program, overall support for the ESA program rose significantly." 

The poll said that 63% of Arizona voters support school choice. Among these, 78% of Republicans and 61% of Independents expressed support, while even among Democrats, 48% were in favor of school choice. The poll also indicated that 78% of parents are supportive of the program. However, Gov. Katie Hobbs finds herself with limited support within the state, as only 34% of voters approve of her, according to yes. every kid. foundation.

Arizona has maintained a prominent role in advocating for educational freedom, as evidenced by the introduction of ESAs in 2011. However, during that period, only 23% of students met the qualifying criteria. Last year, a comprehensive school choice bill expanded access to Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for all students. However, Gov. Hobbs has voiced her intention to repeal the bill, according to Reason.

The yes. every kid. foundation. is an advocacy group that strives to promote educational freedom for every kid in the United States. The group focuses on ways to "bring parents, students, and teachers together to unlock the extraordinary potential of every kid," recognizing the distinctiveness of every student, their learning preferences, and capabilities. The organization believes that every child should have access to diverse programs, schools, and other educational avenues tailored to cater to their needs, according to the organization's website.