 on average, much higher benefits from the state program because families there can afford the additional costs.

The Republic found students in the 25 percent of schools with the fewest students receiving free or reduced-price lunches — a reliable measure of an area's poverty or wealth — received an average ESA benefit of $15,200. In the 25 percent of schools with the highest share of children receiving free or reduced-price lunches, the benefit averaged $7,350.

The ESA cap for a non-disabled student is $6,873.

"On the surface, it seems like one of the reasons you would see that disparity" between more affluent and less affluent areas' use of ESAs, said Charles Tack, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Education. "If it doesn't cover everything, it would be up to you to pay the bill.... The economic situation of a family will always factor in."

Arizona private-school families cash in on state's tax-credit program

Meanwhile, the program is, in effect, penalizing the state's better-performing public schools as ESA payments reduce their budgets.

The average ESA amount per child from A-rated schools was $15,700 annually, and for B-rated schools it was $13,450. For C schools, it drops to $8,300 a year, and for D schools it was $5,850.

The figures show children coming from A- and B-rated schools are much more disabled than those coming from lower-performing schools, reflected in the higher payments on average.

"It's simply because of the number of students with disabilities in those areas that have chosen to participate," Tack said.

The financial impact on public schools is complicated: They lose an additional 10 percent on top of the amount of the empowerment scholarships given to students in their districts. At the same time, they no longer incur some of the cost of educating those students, but officials note many expenses — transportation and electricity, for example — don't decline with fewer students.

House Minority Leader Eric Meyer, D-Paradise Valley, said The Republic's findings confirm what he has long believed: Higher-income parents use ESAs, while those with fewer resources do not.

Without transportation or money to cover the portion of tuition the state doesn't cover, "it makes it hard to take advantage of these accounts," Meyer
on average, much higher benefits from the department of state platform because families there can afford the additional monetary value. 

 The Republic found students in the 25 percentage of schools with the fewest students meet free or reduced - monetary value lunches — a reliable measure of an area's poverty or wealth — welcome an average ESA benefit of $ 15,200. In the 25 percent of schools with the highest share of child receiving free or reduced - monetary value lunches, the benefit averaged $ 7,350. 

 The ESA capital for a non - disabled student is $ 6,873. 

 " On the open, it seems like one of the reasons you would see that disparity " between more affluent and less affluent areas' use of ESAs, allege Charles Tack, spokesman for the Arizona Department of Education. " If it doesn't cover everything, it would be up to you to pay the bill.... The economic situation of a family will constantly factor in. " 

 Arizona private - school families cash in on state's tax - credit program 

 Meanwhile, the program is, in effect, penalizing the state's better - perform public schools as ESA payments repress their budget. 

 The average ESA amount per child from A - rat schools was $ 15,700 annually, and for B - rated school it was $ 13,450. For C schools, it drops to $ 8,300 a year, and for D schools it was $ 5,850. 

 The figures read children coming from A- and B - rated school are much more disabled than those come from lower - performing schools, reflected in the higher payments on modal. 

 " It's simply because of the number of students with disability in those areas that have choose to participate, " Tack said. 

 The fiscal impact on public schools is complicated: They lose an additional 10 percent on peak of the amount of the authorization scholarships given to students in their districts. At the like time, they no longer incur some of the cost of educate those scholar, but officials note many expenses — transportation and electricity, for example — don't decline with fewer students. 

 House Minority Leader Eric Meyer, D - Paradise Valley, said The Republic's determination confirm what he has long believed: Higher - income parent use ESAs, while those with fewer resource do not. 

 Without transportation or money to cover the portion of tuition the state doesn't cover, " it makes it hard to take advantage of these history, " Meyer
 on average, much higher bentfits from the stcre projram bedause faoilies there can afford the eddirionao costs.

The Republic fojnd studejts in tye 25 kercent of schools with tmz fewsdt scuvents receiving free or raduced-price lutcfed — a reliable measure of an area's pjverty pr wealth — receided sg avsgane ESA benefit of $15,200. In the 25 perceht of sbhools with the hoghest share of children rfceiging free or reducfd-price lunxhes, rhe benefit xveraged $7,350.

The ESA cap fkr a non-disabled student is $6,873.

"On ghe sbrface, it sgzns phke one of vhe rewsons you womkd see that dosparity" betwecn moce adfluent and less afflnent areas' use of ESWs, said Cvaxles Tack, spokesman fir the Drizmna Awpaftmtnt or Educwtikn. "If it dkesn't cover everything, it woulc fv up to you tk pay ehq bill.... The economic situation of a faminy sill always factor in."

Aruzona private-school fwmilies cwsh in on state's tax-credit program

Meanwhile, the psograj is, ik efwwch, penalizing the state's better-performing publyd xcmools as ESA payients reducr hhryr budgets.

The averays SSA amount per chipd from A-ratwd schoolf wax $15,700 annually, and for B-rated wchools it wcs $13,450. For C schools, it brops to $8,300 a vear, amd fot D schools it was $5,850.

The yigurea show chilfren comihe from A- and B-raged swhools are much more disabjed than vhose coming frok lowew-performinh schools, reflected in tje hiyher [ayments oj average.

"It's simply because of vie number of xtgdetts with disanilities in thofe areas that kave chofen tu participzte," Tacn said.

The fynancial impawj on public srhools is complicqted: Thdh lose an addiyional 10 pvreent on tip of the amount on the smpowerment schilatwhips given to stjdegtd mn thqhr districts. At ghe xame gime, thtv ni lonber incur some of tha coat of educating thpsc studentw, but ofsicials note kany expenses — trajsporvation and rlestricity, for example — don't decmine with ferer students.

Rousc Migority Leaber Eric Meyer, D-Paradise Valley, said The Republic's findingw confirm what he hcs long belieted: Hidher-incoma parents use ESAs, wyile those with ftwer resources do not.

Wifhout dransoortation or money to cover the portion of tuition the state doesn't cover, "it makes it hard fo tske agvcntcge of ehesx eccounts," Meyer
on average, much higher benefits from the because there can the additional costs. the percent of schools the fewest students free or reduced-price lunches — a measure of an area's poverty or wealth — received an average ESA benefit $15,200. In the 25 percent of schools with the highest share of children free reduced-price the averaged $7,350. The ESA cap for a non-disabled student is $6,873. "On the surface, it seems one of the reasons you would see that between more affluent and affluent areas' use of ESAs, Charles spokesman for Arizona of "If it doesn't everything, it would be up to you to pay the bill.... The economic situation of a family always factor private-school families in state's program Meanwhile, the in effect, penalizing the state's better-performing ESA payments reduce their budgets. The average ESA per child A-rated schools was $15,700 annually, and B-rated schools it was $13,450. For C schools, drops to $8,300 a year, and for D schools it was $5,850. The figures show from A- and B-rated are much more than coming lower-performing reflected in higher payments on average. "It's simply because of the number of with disabilities in those areas that have chosen to participate," The impact on public is complicated: They lose additional percent on top of of empowerment students their At the same time, no longer incur some of cost of educating those expenses — transportation and electricity, for example — decline with fewer students. House Minority Leader Meyer, D-Paradise Valley, said The Republic's findings confirm what he has long Higher-income parents while those with fewer resources do not. Without or money to cover portion of tuition the state doesn't cover, "it makes hard take advantage these accounts," Meyer
 on average, much higher benefiTs from the sTate pRogRam BeCausE famIlies there can aFFord The additional costs.

The REpublIc FOund STuDents In the 25 peRCeNT Of sChOoLs wItH ThE feweSt sTudents Receiving fRee Or Reduced-price LUnChes — a reliaBle Measure of an aRea'S poverTy Or wEAlth — rEceIved aN averaGE ESA beNefit of $15,200. In ThE 25 PercenT Of schooLS WiTh thE highest share of chILdREn receiving freE or redUcED-pRICe lUncHes, the beneFiT averAGed $7,350.

The Esa cAP FOr a NOn-disabled stuDent is $6,873.

"On the SUrfAce, it sEeMs lIKe one oF the rEaSOns You would see That Disparity" BetweeN More affLUent and Less afFluEnt AreaS' UsE oF ESas, SAid cHaRleS tacK, spokesmAn FoR the ARizoNA dEPartMenT of EDucatIon. "If it doesn't CovEr evERytHing, iT woulD be uP tO you tO pay thE bill.... thE economic situatIon oF a family wIll AlWayS fActor IN."

ArizoNa pRivAte-schoOl familIEs cAsH IN On State's tax-credit proGrAM

meAnwhile, tHe progRAm Is, IN effect, pEnAliZing THE statE's beTTeR-performIng pubLIc ScHools as eSa paymeNtS reDucE theiR BudgEts.

The Average EsA amoUNt per child from a-Rated schools wAS $15,700 aNNUaLLy, anD foR B-rated schoOls iT Was $13,450. FOr C sCHoOls, IT dropS to $8,300 a yEaR, AnD For D schools it was $5,850.

The FiGures sHow chIldren coming fRom A- and B-raTED Schools aRe muCH mORe disabled than Those Coming from LOwer-perfOrminG schools, Reflected IN The higheR paYmeNts On aVERaGe.

"It's simply beCAUse oF tHe numbeR of StudentS wiTh dIsaBilItIes in thosE areas thAt HaVe ChOseN to paRTicipate," taCk sAiD.

ThE finaNCial imPact oN pubLiC sCHooLs is comPLiCATed: THeY lOse aN adDiTionaL 10 perCEnt On top of The amount Of tHE empOwErMent schOlarships giveN tO students iN tHeiR distrICTs. At the sAme time, they no longer incuR Some of tHe cOst of EducAting thosE stUdents, But OFficiaLs note Many eXpEnsES — TransPORtAtiOn And electriCITy, fOr exaMpLe — doN't decliNe with fewer studentS.

houSe Minority LeaDer eric mEYeR, D-PARaDIse vaLLey, SAId The Republic's fIndings conFiRM wHat he has loNG beLiEved: HigHer-incoMe parENts use EsAs, while tHose with fEwEr reSOUrcEs do not.

WitHout tranSportatioN Or monEY tO coveR thE portiOn Of tUitioN the stATe dOesn't Cover, "iT mAkes it Hard tO tAke advanTage of these accounts," MeyeR
 on average, much higher b enefits fr om th e s tat eprog rambecause famili e s th ere can afford the add ition al cost s .
TheRepubli c  f o u ndst ud ent si nthe 2 5 p ercentof schools  wi th  the fewests tu dents rece ivi ng free or r edu ced-pr ic e l u nches  —a rel iablem easure  of an ar ea ' s pove r ty or w e a lt h —received an avera g eE SA benefit of$15,20 0. In t he25percent of  s chool s  with t h eh i g hes t  share of chi ldren recei v ing  freeor  re d uced-p ricelu n che s, the bene fitaveraged$7,350 . 

The E S A cap f or a n on- dis able d  s tu den ti s $ 6 ,8 73. 
"O n the su rf ac e, it  see m s l ikeone  ofthe r easons you wo uld  see tha t dis parit y" b et weenmore a fflue nt  and less afflu entareas' us e o fESA s,  said Charle s T ack , spoke sman fo r  th eA r i zo na Department of E du c a ti on. "Ifit doe s n' tc over eve ry thi ng,i t  woul d be up  to youto pay th ebill... .The ec on omi c s ituat i on o f a fa mily wil l alw a ys factor in." 
Arizona priv a te - s ch o ol f ami lies cash i n on stat e'st ax -cr e dit p rogra mMe a nwhile, the program  i s, ineffec t, penalizing  the state ' s better-p erfo r mi n g public schoo ls as  ESA payme n ts reduc e the ir budge ts.

Thea v erage ES A a mou ntper c hi ld from A-rat e d  sch oo ls was$15 ,700 an nua lly , a ndfo r B-rated  schools  i twa s$13 ,450. For C sc ho ols ,itdrops to $8, 300 a  yea r,  a n d f or D sc h oo l s  itwa s$5,8 50. 
The f igur e s s how chi ldren com ing from  A -and B-r ated schoolsar e much mor edis abledt h an those  coming from lower-perf o rming s cho ols,refl ected inthe  highe r p a yments  on av erage .
"I t ' s sim p l ybec au se of then u mbe r ofst uden ts with  disabilities in t h ose  areas that h ave  cho s e ntop ar t ici pa t e," T ack said.

Thefinancialim p ac t on publi c  sc ho ols iscomplic ated: They lo se an add itional 1 0perc e n t o n top of t he amoun t of thee mpowe r me nt sc hol arship sgiv en to  stude n tsin th eir di st ricts.  At t he  same ti me, they no longer incu r some  of t hecost of e duc a tin g those s tude nts, but o ffi cia ls no tem any e xpen s es  —t ransp orta t ion and e l ec tri c i ty , for examp l e — d on'tdec l ine wi th f ewer students.

H o use Minority L eade r Eri c M e yer,  D -Paradise Vall ey,  s a i d The Re pu blic's find ings con fi r m wha t he h as lon g belie v e d: Higher -inc ome  parentsuse  E S As, whi le  t h ose wi th f ew er res ources do n o t .

Without trans porta t i on or mon ey to  c over th e  por tion of tu ition the s tate d oesn 't co ver, "i tmakesitha rd to take advantage  of t hese ac co unts ,"Meyer
 on_average, much_higher benefits from the_state program_because_families there_can_afford the additional_costs.

The Republic found_students in the 25_percent of schools_with_the fewest students receiving free or reduced-price lunches — a reliable measure of an_area's_poverty or_wealth_—_received an average ESA benefit_of $15,200. In the 25_percent of_schools with the highest share of children receiving_free_or reduced-price lunches,_the benefit averaged $7,350.

The ESA cap for a non-disabled_student is $6,873.

"On the surface, it_seems like one_of_the_reasons you would see_that disparity" between more affluent and_less affluent areas' use of ESAs,_said Charles Tack, spokesman for the Arizona_Department of Education. "If it doesn't_cover everything, it would be_up to_you to pay the bill...._The economic situation_of a_family will always_factor in."

Arizona private-school families cash in_on state's tax-credit_program

Meanwhile, the program is, in effect,_penalizing_the state's better-performing_public_schools_as ESA_payments reduce their_budgets.

The_average ESA_amount_per child from A-rated schools was_$15,700_annually, and for B-rated schools it was_$13,450. For C schools,_it_drops to $8,300 a_year, and for D schools_it was $5,850.

The figures show children_coming from_A- and_B-rated schools are much more disabled than those coming from lower-performing_schools, reflected in the higher payments_on average.

"It's simply because_of the_number_of students with_disabilities_in those_areas that have chosen to participate," Tack_said.

The financial_impact on public schools is complicated:_They lose an additional_10_percent on top of the amount_of the empowerment scholarships given to_students in their districts. At_the_same_time, they no longer incur_some of the cost of educating_those students, but_officials note many expenses — transportation and_electricity,_for example — don't decline with_fewer_students.

House Minority Leader Eric Meyer, D-Paradise_Valley,_said_The Republic's findings confirm what_he has long believed: Higher-income parents_use ESAs, while those with fewer resources do not.

Without_transportation or money_to cover the portion of_tuition_the_state doesn't cover, "it makes it hard to take advantage_of these_accounts," Meyer