School choice a sham, profits on the taxpayers’ dime - Network For Public Education

School choice a sham, profits on the taxpayers’ dime - Network For Public Education:

School choice a sham, profits on the taxpayers’ dime 

By: Guest Opinion April 6, 2017 , 3:38 pm

It is time for Arizonans to take a hard look at who really benefits from school choice. While some families may want tax-payer funded options, the dizzying array of choices, combined with lax oversight and weak laws, make Arizona’s taxpayers easy marks for profiteering on the taxpayers’ dime.

Arizona is the Mecca of School Choice – for-profit charters, non-profit “fronts” for for-profit charters, Empowerment Scholarships Accounts (ESAs), and tax credits all compete with little regulation and oversight.

Let’s begin with charters. Arizona’s charter laws are some of the worst in the nation when it comes to protecting taxpayer money. For example, the Arizona State Office of the Auditor General is not allowed to monitor charter school spending. Only the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools (AZCB), whose members (with one exception) are appointed by the charter-friendly Governor, can keep an eye on charter school finances.

To read Carol’s entire Arizona Capital Times opinion piece, click here.

 School choice a sham, profits on the taxpayers’ dime - Network For Public Education: