his own.

Jackie, 35, began researching alternatives, and found PiecefulSolutions Schools, which specialize in teaching K-12 children with autism and other developmental delays. But she accepted that they would never be able to afford the $23,400 a year in tuition.

Then, PiecefulSolutions officials told her about the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.

Noah began attending his new school — a 35-minute drive from his home — in 2014, shortly after the family moved to San Tan Valley. Tim, who stays at home to help care for Noah's siblings, makes the trek twice a day.

Because of Noah's disability and other factors, the ESA covered his full tuition.

And Noah has flourished, surrounded by kids with similar experiences. His teachers take time to teach him math and language arts. They emphasize social skills and managinghis behavior.

He has made friends. His classmates elected him to the student council. He's studying for his driver's test and is talking about getting a summer job.

As Noah has succeeded, Jackie and Tim's enthusiasm for the ESA program has grown. But Jackie said she has mixed feelings about lawmakers' plans to expand the program to all public schoolchildren.

On one hand, she believes parents should have choices, but on the other she doesn't want public schools to suffer at the expense of ESAs.

Where the money goes

Empowerment scholarships are based on the level of a child's disability and the cost of educating them. For Noah, it covers his private-school tuition, but for many children the program won't fund the full cost of a private school.

The result is wealthier areas receiving,