Post 1/6
Democrats are wailing about “waste, fraud & abuse” in Arizona’s ESA school choice program.
Fine — fix the oversight gaps.
But they never ask the real question:
Why are tens of thousands of families fleeing public schools in droves?
Hint: It’s not because the traditional system is efficiently run. 🧵
Democrats are wailing about “waste, fraud & abuse” in Arizona’s ESA school choice program.
Fine — fix the oversight gaps.
But they never ask the real question:
Why are tens of thousands of families fleeing public schools in droves?
Hint: It’s not because the traditional system is efficiently run. 🧵
2/6
Arizona public district schools spent $13.4 billion in FY2025.
Yet instructional spending (actual teaching) dropped to just 52.1% of the budget — the lowest percentage in over 20 years.
More money going to admin, bureaucracy, buildings, and operations instead of classrooms.
Arizona public district schools spent $13.4 billion in FY2025.
Yet instructional spending (actual teaching) dropped to just 52.1% of the budget — the lowest percentage in over 20 years.
More money going to admin, bureaucracy, buildings, and operations instead of classrooms.
3/6
Arizona ranks 49th in the nation in per-pupil spending… and dead last in class sizes.
Parents see the results: stagnant test scores, discipline problems, ideology creeping in, and constant cries for more money with little improvement.
So they’re voting with their feet.
Arizona ranks 49th in the nation in per-pupil spending… and dead last in class sizes.
Parents see the results: stagnant test scores, discipline problems, ideology creeping in, and constant cries for more money with little improvement.
So they’re voting with their feet.
4/6
ESA has real admin issues (paperwork, reviews, etc.) that need fixing.
But the actual egregious fraud/misuse rate is around 0.3%, with unallowable spending (mostly honest mistakes) closer to 1-2%.
That’s far better than many government programs like Medicaid or unemployment.
Compare that to public schools: Arizona districts spent $13.4B but instructional spending (actual classroom teaching) is down to just 52.1% — the lowest in 20+ years. The rest? Admin bloat, underused buildings, and inefficiency. Specific fraud cases pop up regularly too.
ESA has real admin issues (paperwork, reviews, etc.) that need fixing.
But the actual egregious fraud/misuse rate is around 0.3%, with unallowable spending (mostly honest mistakes) closer to 1-2%.
That’s far better than many government programs like Medicaid or unemployment.
Compare that to public schools: Arizona districts spent $13.4B but instructional spending (actual classroom teaching) is down to just 52.1% — the lowest in 20+ years. The rest? Admin bloat, underused buildings, and inefficiency. Specific fraud cases pop up regularly too.
5/6
ESA puts parents in charge — the ultimate accountability.
Public schools get billions with less per-dollar scrutiny and worse outcomes for too many kids.
If the system worked, families wouldn’t be leaving in record numbers for charters, privates, homeschooling, or ESA.
ESA puts parents in charge — the ultimate accountability.
Public schools get billions with less per-dollar scrutiny and worse outcomes for too many kids.
If the system worked, families wouldn’t be leaving in record numbers for charters, privates, homeschooling, or ESA.
6/6
Strengthen ESA oversight (better audits, faster clawbacks, transparency).
But don’t kill the escape hatch that’s helping over 100,000 Arizona kids.
The real “out-of-control” problem is the failing status quo that keeps demanding more money while delivering less.
What’s your experience with public schools vs school choice? Drop it below 👇
Strengthen ESA oversight (better audits, faster clawbacks, transparency).
But don’t kill the escape hatch that’s helping over 100,000 Arizona kids.
The real “out-of-control” problem is the failing status quo that keeps demanding more money while delivering less.
What’s your experience with public schools vs school choice? Drop it below 👇
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
