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Ducey blocks cash from schools mandating masks
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.
Arizona celebrates 30th anniversary of charter school law
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.
Writer’s claim Arizona schools more segregated now than in ‘50s, ‘60s wrong
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.
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.
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.
Q&A with House Speaker Rusty Bowers
House Speaker Rusty Bowers knows he will have very little wiggle room in the 2019 legislative session.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
