Dozens of public schools would be able to throw out federal education policy regulating academic standards, teacher evaluation requirements and student tracking systems under a measure approved by the Arizona House on Thursday.

Sen. Rich Crandall announced today that he will not serve his entire term, and will retire from legislative service at some point after the current legislative session ends to pursue new professional opportunities.

Arguing that struggling schools and students need more class time and less summer vacation, state representatives approved a bill to allow such schools to increase their calendar year to 200 days, and pull in some extra state money in the process.

Eileen Klein, the new president of the Arizona Board of Regents, intends to help the state universities become forces for Arizona’s overall improvement during her three-year term.

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that a 2010 state law allowing school districts to spend unused bond money without asking voters is unconstitutional.

TUCSON — Pima Community College is reducing tuition for Pima County residents enrolled in a new federal program for illegal immigrants brought to the United States at a young age.

The practice of locking problem children in small confined rooms at school isn’t going to stop under HB2476, but supporters say at least parents will have the right to know their children can be in solitary confinement.

A new online tool is designed to help parents, students, teachers and school leaders around Arizona see how newly-proposed performance funding will benefit their local schools.

A panel of lawmakers on Thursday advanced the governor’s proposal to create a new system of financially rewarding schools based on their performance.

But as the Senate Education Committee hearing showed, getting the legislation out of committee was just one of its many hurdles.

Substitute teacher Teresa Ottesen Binder said she has the nerve to shoot to kill if faced with a threat at her school.



“And I have the skill to do it,” Binder said.