Arizona voters will soon choose a new superintendent of public instruction, overseeing the state’s Department of Education. The four candidates running for the position have varying views on Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) and diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

ESAs, which redirect taxpayer money to private education, have been a topic of discussion among the candidates. Incumbent Republican Tom Horne, who engineered the ESA program in 2012, is running for his second consecutive term. Republican challenger Kimberly Yee and Democratic candidates Brett Newby and Teresa Leyba Ruiz also have opinions on the program.

The ESA program allows students to use taxpayer funds for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschooling, or education materials. As of June 15, there were 100,713 students enrolled in the program, up from 12,000 in 2022.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policies

The Arizona State Board of Education voted to examine state teaching standards, potentially stripping diversity, equity, and inclusion language. This move could result in the loss of federal funds if the language is not removed.

The candidates’ views on these policies and other issues will be crucial in the upcoming election. The primary election is set for July 21, with early voting beginning on June 24.

Original reporting: Arizona Luminaria — read the source article.