Educational irony: Douglas to administer $2B in federal grants, though opposed to fed role in education
Superintendent of Public Instruction-elect Diane Douglas has expressed her disdain for the federal government’s hand in education, but she’ll be in charge of administering close to $2 billion in federal... […]
Huppenthal joins the ‘barbarians,’ flip-flops on Common Core
Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal has joined the barbarians at the gate.
Huppenthal flip-flopped Tuesday on his position on Common Core, saying he “never” supported the learning standards. His new stance comes just two months after he spoke at an Arizona Capitol Times Morning Scoop forum on K-12 education issues, during which he implored education and business lea[...]
Brewer modest but successful in last session
Gov. Jan Brewer’s agenda in her final regular legislative session lacked the blockbuster policies, drag-out fights and frayed nerves of 2013. Instead, the governor proposed a far more modest agenda in 2014. Relatively small spending increases in a few key areas, two low-profile economic development bills and legislation strengthening the state’s human trafficking laws were among the biggest po[...]
Common Core skills taught to 10-year-olds would benefit everyone in Arizona
As I watched various committee debates on education issues unfold over this last session, the former 5th grade teacher in me couldn’t help but think about how some of those very same communications and collaboration life skills we teach to Arizona 10-year-olds might just benefit everyone.
Chambers’ dilemma: After Common Core and Medicaid, who should they endorse?
In the last two years, more than two dozen legislators who had received the support of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the 2012 elections fought the business community on two of its biggest policy battles — upholding Common Core and expanding Medicaid.
New standard, high-quality assessment essential for Arizona students
When the Common Core State Standards were being drafted, many Arizona teachers provided input and feedback that were incorporated into the actual standards that were adopted by 45 states. I know because I was one of them, working alongside other Arizona educators, ultimately helping our state to leave a footprint on the standards themselves.
Reversing course, Senate votes to spare Common Core standards
Five Republican senators helped to kill an anti-Common Core bill Wednesday, a day after giving their approval in a preliminary floor vote.
We must stay the course with Arizona’s College and Career Ready Standards
The magic of what we teach our children in school is about so much more than a set of dry standards from which we derive a test.
Brewer ditches ‘Common Core’ moniker for new standards
Hoping to douse a political firestorm that has sprung up in some conservative circles, Gov. Jan Brewer ordered state employees Friday to begin calling the state’s learning standards by a different name.