Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday upped the pressure on the growing number of public-school districts defying a state ban on mask mandates as they try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Stanford University scholars, for instance, linked testing data across the country and found only 28 general enrollment public schools nationwide where the students learned at a rate 50% or more above the national average. Arizona has 11 of those 28 schools, and charter schools make up nine of the 11.

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.

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.

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.

House Speaker Rusty Bowers knows he will have very little wiggle room in the 2019 legislative session.

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.

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.

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.

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.