Empowerment Scholarship Account Program

1. Empowerment Scholarship Account Program The Arizona Department of Education

2. What is an Empowerment Scholarship Account? • An Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is an account established to provide an education for qualified disabled and non-disabled students. The programs’ main purpose is to provide options for parents to freely choose how and where to educate their children with financial assistance from the state. • Replace monies given to public schools • Not intended to supplement them • Kindergarten through 12th grade • Funding based on • Primary eligibility determination (special needs students) • Grade level • Kindergarten funded at half of the normal level • Public school district

3. How Does it work? ESAs In Action: ADE School FinanceFormulaFund Public Schools Child ESA Applicant Parent

4. What Does Accepting an ESA mean for me, a parent? • EMPOWERMENT = NEW RESPONSIBILITIES • The Applicant Parent Becomes: • The School • An Accountant • A Program Coordinator • A Liaison to the Department of Education & other agencies • A Teacher (In some cases) • An Administrator

5. How Does My Child Qualify for an ESA? • Attend the first 100 days in an Arizona public school ORhave received a scholarship from a School Tuition Organization (STO) for Displaced and Disabled students the year prior to the year in which is being applied for ORbe eligible for Kindergarten the year you would receive a scholarship • AND be identified in one of the approved student populations: • A child with a disability • A child of an active duty member of the military • A child who is the ward of a juvenile court and is residing in prospective permanent placement foster care • A child who is the ward of a juvenile court and has achieved permanency through adoption • A child who attended a letter grade “D or F” public school the prior year • For a child entering Kindergarten – they must reside within the boundaries of a D or F public school or district

6. The Application Process • January 1 – April 1, 2014 (3pm) • First come, first served • Only complete applications will be accepted • All applications can be found at www.azed.gov/esa/applicants • Required documentation for each application • Once approved you will receive: • Initial acceptance letter --- Return Acceptance letter by May 25, 2014 by 3pm • Contract packet --- Must be returned by June 16, 2014 by 3pm • Official notice of pupil withdrawal • Bank of America pre-paid debit card • Receive 1st Disbursement of Funds July 15-30th

7. What Not To Do On An Application • Do NOT submit additional documentation to supplement an IEP/MET/504. Only submit documents that are requested. • Only submit ONE application copy, by mail, unless otherwise requested. • Do NOT cross out words on the application and substitute other words that fit what you are submitting. For example, Public School “Private School.” • Check and double check the dates of your documentation (IEPs/METs etc.) We cannot accept determinations if they expire during the applications process. • Please do not wait till the last moment to submit your paperwork.

8. Applicant Parent Issue • In the application you will notice that it states that there will be an “Applicant Parent.” The applicant parent must be the one who submits all documentation and contract signatures. This must remain constant throughout the process.

9. Now What? • You’ve turned in your application, received funds and are ready to use the funds to educate your child, but what can you spend the money on?

10. What Can ESA Funds Be Used For? • Private School Tuition • Fees and required textbooks • Educational therapies from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider • Tutoring services from an accredited provider or organization • Curriculum • Tuition and fees from a private online learning program • Fees for nationally standardized tests • Contributions to a qualified Coverdell education savings account • Public community college or university inArizona • Account fees administered by Bank of America • Services provided by a public school

11. What Can ESA Funds NOT Be Used For? • Computers & Hardware • Consumable Supplies • Lunches • Transportation • Sports Equipment • Musical Instruments • Field trips • Day Care/Parks & Rec • Summer Camps • Apps through the Apple Store • Medical services • Chiropractor • Psychiatrist • Acupuncture • Insurance Copays • Massage Therapy • Yoga • Assistive Technologies

12. Once On The ESA Program • A child remains on the program until 12th grade • Unused funds roll over from year to year • After 12th Grade --- Four years to use any unspent funds The following are required to renew an ESA from year to year: • Quarterly Expense Reports • Maintain current eligibility through an MET • Public school is no longer responsible for providing an IEP • Renewal contracts submitted by deadline *Failure to comply with these requirements could result in removal from the program

13. Looking To Apply For 2014-2015? Things To Keep In Mind • Make sure your child’s IEP/MET does not expire on or before July 15, 2014 • If it does…. • Return to your current district and ask for a reevaluation • This can be a timely process! Schools can take up to 60 days to start the process! • Submit early! (January 1st) • Check with prospective private school to see if they can accept an ESA pre-paid debit card • Credit/debit card machine • PayPal • Square’s method • Smart Tuition • TADS • Keep checking the ESA Facebook page for important news and deadlines • www.facebook.com/EmpowermentScholarshipAccount

14. ANY QUESTIONS? For additional information regarding the ESA program, please visit our website or feel free to contact our staff members at: Telephone: (602)364-1969 Email: esa@azed.gov Website: www.azed.gov/esa