Arizona Debates Moratorium On Vocational Districts

By Sean Cavanagh

Arizona lawmakers may temporarily halt a burgeoning 12-year-old program that allows the creation of special vocational school districts. The districts have grown steadily, but critics say the initiatives have become a financial burden the state may no longer be able to afford.

Legislation being debated at the state Capitol would put a two-year moratorium on the expansion or formation of additional job-training hubs, known as joint technological education districts.

Several legislators say they want to study the program's price tag and whether the vocational schools are truly providing high school students with additional skills, given the extra funding they...