Tag: Phoenix Business Journal
Arizona’s economic growth hinges on success of Latino students. See related stories here
Arizona must prioritize the educational success and increase the degree attainment of our students in order to secure the future economic viability of our state. Not only should it be a priority, I would argue that it is an economic imperative for our state.
Judge: Land Trust Use to Fund Arizona Schools is Illegal. See more education stories here
A federal judge ruled Monday that a school funding settlement championed by Gov. Doug Ducey violates federal law and that Arizona may have to repay at least $344 million to the state land trust.
But the governor’s lawyer, Michael Liburdi, said Congress approved the payouts last week and the ruling is off base.
Opinion — Robb: The most important bill in Arizona this year actually might pass. Request to Speak
The most important bill before the Arizona Legislature this session is attracting virtually no attention or notice.
That would be House Bill 2158, which would extend the education sales tax approved by voters in 2000, Proposition 301, beyond its expiration date in 2021.
There is a constitutional provision that requires tax increases to be approved with a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Legislature. Because the status quo is that the tax goes away, retaining it legislatively requires a two-thirds vote.
Arizona Education Progress Meter shows steep but ‘obtainable’ climb
If all goes according to a set of goals supported by dozens of Arizona education and business groups, the state’s elementary teachers will earn the national median of $56,000 in five years and most third-graders will read at grade level by 2030.
Those are among the benchmarks that make up the Arizona Education Progress Meter, a data-tracking effort education advocates hope will drive statewide policy decisions and address longstanding student achievement gaps.
Opinion: Where the New Education Money Goes
Now that the Arizona budget has been on the books for a few weeks, some reporters are taking a look back, and I’m beginning to read a new take on education funding that gives Governor Ducey and Republicans measured praise for putting some new money into schools. It may not be enough, the articles are saying, but it’s something. Educators should give our governor credit for making an effort to help our schools and accept the money graciously instead of bitching and moaning because they don’t think it’s enough.
I beg to differ. It’s not enough, not nearly. And most of it will find its way to fewer than 20 percent of the state’s public schools.
FALA, Northland Prep, Sedona Red Rock High School among Arizona’s top ranked high schools in 2017
While Basis Charter Schools captured top rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 list of publicly funded high schools nationwide, take a look at where other public high schools were ranked.
(Among Northern Arizona schools:
Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy was ranked No. 10
Northland Preparatory Academy was ranked No. 13
Sedona Red Rock High School was ranked No. 18)
2017 predictions: Arizona K-12 funding reform won’t happen; for-profit universities get political reprieve
Education is top of mind for many in Arizona, but it could be a tough year ahead for those looking for solutions to several issues.
K-12 education funding
My crystal ball for education is a little foggy, but I’m going to guess Arizona business, education and government leaders won’t come close to fixing the state’s broken education funding system in 2017.
Two years ago, Gov. Doug Ducey created a coalition of education experts to amend the outdated formula used to fund public schools. The funding system is such a complicated tangle of spaghetti, the governor’s Classrooms First Initiative Council tossed in the towel, saying Ducey and lawmakers need to determine exactly how to fix the system.
Why Arizona needs a long-term goal for education
It’s time to establish a long-term, sustainable goal for Arizona education and recognize students as investments for the future.
That message was the theme of the Vision 2025: Arizona comes of age breakfast celebrating the new report released by the Center for the Future of Arizona.
Science Foundation Ariz., Intel, Gov. Ducey unveil STEM program aimed at Native Americans
By Hayley Ringle • Phoenix Business Journal Science Foundation Arizona, Intel Corp. and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey are announcing a new initiative today to provide STEM education to Native Americans in the state. The Code Writers Education Initiative will be announced during the Window Rock celebration of the 70th anniversary of the ending of World War II and Navajo […]
Arizona task force created to stem teacher brain drain
By Angela Gonzales • Phoenix Business Journal Jennifer Johnson, former superintendent of Glendale Union High School District, had been hearing about teachers leaving Arizona’s public schools in droves, even before their contracts ended. “Arizona in the last couple of years has lost 20 percent of its first-year teachers and 24 percent of its second-year teachers,” […]
