Arizona

Arizona has one of the most expansive school choice ecosystems in the nation, with more than 500 charter schools enrolling nearly 20% of all K-12 students — the highest charter share of any state. The state's Education Savings Account (ESA) program, one of the broadest universal voucher programs in the country, allows families to use public funds for private, home, or micro-school education. Maricopa County dominates enrollment, with the Phoenix metro housing districts ranging from the massive Mesa Unified to small suburban and charter operators. Arizona's per-pupil spending has historically ranked among the lowest nationally, though recent voter-approved Proposition 208 and subsequent legislative actions have raised teacher pay and education funding levels. AZSCI and AzM2 are the state's primary academic assessments.