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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.
Defense of Rep. Farnsworth and his school misses key points
Having read Shalisa Arnold’s full-throated defense of legislator and charter operator Eddie Farnsworth and his Benjamin Franklin Charter Schools, I thought, “Huh. Ms. Arnold missed a few salient points.”
The Breakdown: Must be campaign season
Two Arizona Supreme Court justices are being targeted amid accusations, without any supporting evidence, of a cozy relationship between the high court and the Ducey administration.
Charter schools move Arizona forward, but more can be done
Arizona’s charter schools are indeed a success story for our state. Our leaders should be applauded for having the vision to carefully create a climate in which school choice benefits so many through specialized learning, improved test scores, and education options.
Governor, lawmaker have sights on charter school changes
Gov. Doug Ducey said he's open to the idea of reforms in how charter schools are operated, including how they handle their finances.
Candidates for top education office have concerns about charter schools
Charter schools, insufficient public school funding and Proposition 305 were some of the topics in the first debate in the race for state superintendent of public instruction.
Results show why demand for charter schools remains strong
What Arizona’s charter school revolution has taught us is that educational approaches can be as diverse as the ever-changing needs of Arizona’s students. And thanks to our governor and state Legislature, those diverse needs are being served. It would be a shame for parents and students if the charter school revolution came to an end because a handful of anti-charter advocates managed to convin[...]
Non-profit opens charter schools to serve poorest students
A Phoenix nonprofit aiming to open 25 A-rated charter schools serving students in the city’s urban core by 2020 is well on its way to meeting its goal.
Agreement on school funding ends at whether more is needed
Arizona’s public education system could use more money– a point few argue against. The disagreement comes when elected officials and education advocates start talking about how to get there.
Bill to force schools to sell buildings to charters sparks debate
The will of taxpayers is being evoked by both sides in the debate over a bill that would require school districts to sell property to charter or private schools when they are the highest bidders.
Charter schools should embrace criticism and become better
Last month, the ACLU of Arizona released “Schools Choosing Students,” a report detailing the illegal or exclusionary enrollment policies at many of the state’s charter schools, which lead to students being denied equal access to a high-quality education. Every piece of information in the report is specific, sourced and designed to help families and schools.
ACLU report targets charters for same practices followed by school districts
Affluent families could afford to buy homes in expensive neighborhoods with high-quality schools. As for everyone else, we were at the mercy of our local district school. Students stuck in failing schools had no escape.
