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Huppenthal robocall stirs debate over education’s future
If public students are migrating to private schools via a first-of-a-kind state program, it’s happening in a trickle. But some public school advocates worry that the exodus soon could become a torrent.
3 bills advance that curb Common Core, give authority to local schools
The Legislature took its first steps Feb. 20 toward gutting Common Core, three years after the learning standards were adopted and a year before students are to begin testing on them. The Senate Education Committee passed on a 6-3 partisan vote three bills that give school districts the authority to create their own learning standards and another that keeps the state Board of Education from implem[...]
Federal grant adding school resource officers in Phoenix
To Laura Packard, Officer Scott Freibaum’s presence at Shea Middle School means she can feel secure about sending her eighth-grade daughter to school.
Congressman asks for investigation of state schools superintendent in robocall case
U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva is calling on the federal government to investigate whether state Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal broke federal law by providing telephone numbers for a recorded telephone pitch he gave Feb. 11 for empowerment scholarships.
Education committee OKs school voucher-like program
A House committee on Monday approved one of two small expansions of a voucher-like program that allows students to use public funds for a private education.
Bill could expand program for private schools
Arizona legislators will vote on a bill that would expand a state program that allows students to pay for a private education using public funds.
200-day school year measure advances, but faces obstacles
A bill that provides more money for longer school years was supported almost unanimously in the House Education Committee on Feb. 10, but faces a tough road to final passage.
Controversy swirls around Huppenthal’s pitch for private schools
Public school and progressive groups have unleashed their fury at Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal for hawking voucher-like empowerment scholarship accounts, even though he is among the fiercest proponents of school choice and the scholarship program.
Performance funding: Good idea in theory, but so far not in practice
Arizona’s universities are asking for $39 million in new money to help reach performance goals even though the Legislature and governor aren’t proposing any money for the plan.
AZ faces array of choices for its new educational test
With Arizona students about a year away from testing on the state’s new learning standards, the State Board of Education is well on its way to choosing which testing company to use.
Charter schools win funding claim against Department of Education
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of a group of charter schools on Feb. 3, saying the state cannot reduce voter approved-funds earmarked for teacher pay raises and the classroom to offset over payments in previous years.
Bipartisan bill seeks to allow math credit for high school computer classes
A bill to allow Arizona high school students to take a computer science course in place of a required math course would make them more competitive for the growing number of technology jobs, two state lawmakers say.
