As the Legislature sputters into a more-stop-than-start, barely-in-session model, we are morphing our Weekly Education Report into less of a legislative recap and more of a one-stop shop for all the Arizona education news that’s fit to print. We’ll keep the news coming to you every Saturday for the rest of the year, with an eagle eye on fraud, misspending and misuse of ESA vouchers, Superintendent Horne’s threats to public education, school board ups and downs, pro-public education candidates for 2024, and so much more!
ESA vouchers are designed to choke the life out of public education; this program is set to siphon $900 million away from neighborhood public schools this upcoming school year (at an average of around $300,000 per school). But the special interests pushing vouchers are saying school dollars “follow the child” and that they “belong to the parent.” Let’s break down K-12 costs vs. voucher costs with some actual truth:
The sad truth is that when ESA vouchers strip funds away from public schools, every public school student in the state misses out on critically needed funding.
As the Legislature sputters into a more-stop-than-start, barely-in-session model, we are morphing our Weekly Education Report into less of a legislative recap and more of a one-stop shop for all the Arizona education news that’s fit to print. We’ll keep the news coming to you every Saturday for the rest of the year, with an eagle eye on fraud, misspending and misuse of ESA vouchers, Superintendent Horne’s threats to public education, school board ups and downs, pro-public education candidates for 2024, and so much more!
ESA vouchers are designed to choke the life out of public education; this program is set to siphon $900 million away from neighborhood public schools this upcoming school year (at an average of around $300,000 per school). But the special interests pushing vouchers are saying school dollars “follow the child” and that they “belong to the parent.” Let’s break down K-12 costs vs. voucher costs with some actual truth:
The sad truth is that when ESA vouchers strip funds away from public schools, every public school student in the state misses out on critically needed funding.
Superintendent Tom Horne is facing backlash after his recent threats to defund the dual language instruction models that serve English Language Learners. This decision limits educational opportunities and the benefits of bilingualism, and must be challenged. Please add your voice to this letter from Stand for Children that urges the Arizona State Board of Education to reinstate the 50-50 dual language model by July 19 (when many Arizona schools reopen their doors).
This week Gov. Hobbs issued a pair of executive orders: one that will update the state’s Minimum Adequacy Guidelines for School Facilities with expert input, and another that directs the Division of School Facilities to regularly inspect school buildings and report on their condition.
Arizona’s Constitution specifies that the state must provide a “general and uniform” public school education for all Arizona children. Despite repeated court orders, lawmakers have ignored that constitutional obligation for years. Existing state law, passed more than two decades ago in the attempt to address a series of lawsuits, also requires school facilities to meet building standards and undergo regular inspections. However, the inattention of many successive legislatures and former Gov. Ducey has taken a very real toll on our public schools.
For years, teachers and school officials have been sounding the alarm over aging school infrastructure issues — such as moldy carpets, leaking ceilings, broken A/C, and even buildings deemed unfit for human habitation — that are not receiving the legally mandated attention and correction. In 2019, the Arizona Republic reported that, despite the law, Arizona inspected only one single school for building deficiencies over a period of 3 years. And this year’s budget provides only a fraction of the funding the School Facilities Board said school buildings need.
These executive orders do not and cannot replace a legislature that properly prioritizes and funds public education. Funding for the School Facilities Board, along with the money to pay for repairs, is supposed to come from the state Legislature. However, with these executive orders, Gov. Hobbs is doing what she can to get the ball rolling on maintaining Arizona’s aging school facilities and help ensure every Arizona student has access to a safe place to learn.
With many Arizona schools starting back up in just a few weeks, many district and charter schools are struggling to hire teachers. With dismally low pay, little support and extremely difficult working conditions, Arizona teachers are leaving the classroom in droves, some moving on to new jobs — and some to new states. 
And these states are recruiting Arizona teachers by offering massive teacher pay raises. The Dallas Independent School District in Texas is advertising a salary range of $60,000 to $102,000 —up to double what many Arizona teachers earn. The Gallup-McKinley County School District in New Mexico is offering a $25,000 pay raise for educators coming from Arizona. Educators leaving Arizona for Colorado are reporting a 30% increase in pay. And with 1 in 4 Arizona classrooms lacking a permanent teacher, it’s our children who pay the price.
Meanwhile, the New Mexico legislature has made significant investments in K-12 education over the past few years, advancing from 39th in per-student spending to 28th in just a few short years. New Mexico spent $9,582 per child in FY2018, which grew to $11,332 in FY2020. New Mexico’s governor also passed major teacher raises in 2022 in order to ameliorate their teacher retention crisis. This is what’s possible with a pro-public education governor and legislature.
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Statewide Rural Action Summits – Mark Your Calendars!
Navajo Nation – July 22 – Register here!
Sierra Vista – August 26 – Register here!
Yuma – November 4
Speaking of Schools: Advocating for Public Schools in Rural America
Monday, July 17 at 5:00 pm
Your voice matters. A simple phone call or email to your lawmaker asking them to prioritize funding for schools and responsible policies for education goes a long way. In order for Arizona to move forward and thrive, these critical discussions need to take place. Find your legislative district here. Email and phone information for your representatives is here and your senator is here.
Amazing things happen in Arizona’s public schools every single day. Let’s take some time over the summer to highlight stories from our community schools that make us #PublicSchoolProud!
In North Carolina, shocking private school voucher news is stalling their massive voucher expansion: new data shows many private schools there are being awarded more vouchers than they have students.
Like Arizona, North Carolina’s voucher program lacks any meaningful oversight. Like Arizona, North Carolina doesn’t require voucher schools to be accredited, use approved curriculum, hire certified teachers, or participate in state testing. The new data shows that — just like Arizona — financial oversight is lacking. Private voucher schools must theoretically certify their tuition policies and verify that each student using a voucher is actually enrolled. But it’s unclear whether anyone is enforcing these requirements and checking if those certifications are true.
AZ Loves Public Schools Car Magnets & Yard Signs!
Be the first to order HERE!
Note: Yard signs are currently available only in Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai Counties where our field team can personally deliver. Check back for more counties soon!
Order AZ Loves Public Schools Tees, Tanks & Sweatshirts on AMAZON!
Be the first to order HERE!
Don’t forget your red #PublicSchoolProud shirt – order HERE. While we get ready to change suppliers, we’re offering 2 shirts for your donation of $30, or one for an $18 donation. Wear Public School Proud gear to show your dedication to well-funded public education in Arizona!
Sign up for a Community Action Team: East Valley, West Valley & North Phoenix, Scottsdale & Paradise Valley, Central & South Phoenix, Northern Arizona, and Southern Arizona! Your local coordinators will help you with using Request to Speak and contacting your lawmakers.
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