A Narrative Policy Framework Analysis of Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts

• In Event: Innovations and Challenges in School Choice and Educational Equity: A Global Perspective

Abstract

Arizona passed a universal voucher plan in 2022 by updating student eligibility for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. Given that policymaking does not occur in a vacuum, dynamics of political power and changes in ideologies among state legislative members have contributed to shaping the recent policy shift in Arizona. This study seeks answers to three questions: 1) Who was involved in the bills relevant to ESA between 2011 and 2022? 2) What themes have emerged in arguments by proponents and opponents of the bills? 3) How have both sides used evidence and networks to promote their arguments? Borrowing the narrative policy framework, this study demonstrates that proponents and opponents constructed narratives with a mixture of positive and negative attitudes using differentiated languages.

Author

• Jin Lee, University of Louisiana at Lafayette