In 1994 (when AZ passed open enrollment and charter school laws) 59% percent of Arizona public schools had 70% of their student body from a single race or ethnicity. During the 2017-18 school year (the most recent available) that statewide percentage had dropped to 41%. Arizona students are less rather than more racially isolated in their schools today than in 1994.
Read More »The hypocrisy, unrealistic savings of school district consolidation
It is the Legislative season so once again a bill will be pushed for consolidation of public school districts in Arizona. This time it is Rep. John Fillmore, R-Apache Junction, with HB2139, a bill that will mandate all elementary and union high school districts become unified by 2024.
Read More »Arizona charter school legislation appears dead 
bill imposing new rules on Arizona charter schools is likely dead for the year after House Speaker Rusty Bowers declined to move it forward, saying it doesn't have enough support to pass.
Read More »Q&A with House Speaker Rusty Bowers 
House Speaker Rusty Bowers knows he will have very little wiggle room in the 2019 legislative session.
Read More »Ducey skips over key issues in ‘State of the State’ address
In his State of the State speech January 14, Gov. Doug Ducey said a lot, spending nearly 40 minutes highlighting his policy priorities and wish-list for the legislative session.
Read More »Bill introduced to set same procurement standards for district, charter schools
A Republican lawmaker wants school districts held to the same procurement standards as Arizona charter schools, but most charters aren’t held to any procurement standard at all.
Read More »Put party politics aside, support teachers, students, families
Our schools need a leader who will prioritize service to our children, schools, and communities — and as state superintendent, that’s precisely what I’ll do. It will take collaboration and legislative support across party lines. However, this election showed that communities across Arizona value public education and there is bipartisan support for pro-public education policies.
Read More »Jay Heiler: Doing civic work without being in government 
Jay Heiler could be caught in the middle of a contentious U.S. Senate race right now. Instead, he joined boutique law firm Beus Gilbert PLLC.
Read More »All public schools should be owned by the public
When tax dollars pay for the building of a public highway, a state building, a city or county building, or buildings in a traditional school district, the property belongs to the public, not a private individual or company.
Read More »Auditor: Laws need to change for effective charter school scrutiny 
If lawmakers want quality audits of Arizona charter schools, they have to change the laws governing how charters operate, the state’s top auditor said.
Read More »