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Concerned resident raises concerns about Horne’s actions as schools chief
A concerned Arizona resident shared a letter she sent to Tom Horne, who she claims has overstepped his power since assuming the office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The crisis hiding in plain sight? Advocating for 1.2+ million students facing homelessness
In 1988, about 1% of U.S. families were experiencing homelessness. Today, that number has grown to 34%. Since 2004, the number of students experiencing homelessness has risen by 63%. In a 2022 report from The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE), it was reported that 1,280,886 students experienced homelessness during the 2019-2020 school year, which represented 2.5% of all students enroll[...]
Republicans are protecting the Arizona we love
When you think of Arizona, you can’t help but think of freedom. Freedom to keep the money you earn. Freedom to send your kids to the school you want. Freedom to start a business without layers of red tape. And freedom to work – our licensing reform has become a national model.
Hobbs and Horne at odds over Covid funds
A blame game between two top state officials threatens to lose the state more than $22 million in federal Covid relief dollars for education.
We cannot escape our past; we can only improve our future
For the second time, as a monitor for the Flores case that outlines conditions for holding minor children, I interviewed unaccompanied minors in an ICE detention center. Prior to Covid, I had done monitoring at the Yuma facility. The experience this time was the difference between noon and midnight.
Horne files suit to get court to rule schools not using ‘structured English immersion’ violating law
Hoping to force the issue, state schools chief Tom Horne filed suit late Wednesday to get a court to rule that any school that doesn't use "structured English immersion'' to teach students who are not proficient is violating the law.
Fact-checking Save Our Schools on vouchers
Save Our Schools Arizona is among the most prominent opponents of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, or vouchers. However, certain of their talking points are inconsistent with facts from reputable sources.
The impact of DCS’ discovery gap on parents – a former department attorney’s perspective
The Attorney General and Department of Child Safety did the right thing here by flagging an issue for the public. Transparency is crucial in the days to come so that we, as advocates for families can trust that we have all the information to which we are entitled to help ensure a fair process.
Hobbs declares heat state of emergency
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is declaring a heat state of emergency -- but only of three of Arizona's 15 counties.
FDA must finish the job on illegal vapes
There’s a rampant public health crisis in the lurking shadows that is impacting our most vulnerable. This crisis has been quietly escalating in our homes, schools, and communities, while the responsible agencies have only recently woken up to the threat: the flood of illegal disposable, flavored vapes, predominantly made in China, and marketed directly to our children.
Lying about universal ESA vouchers won’t hide the truth
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” This political propaganda technique is the playbook for special interests pushing school vouchers in Arizona. But the “big lie” only works as long as its consequences remain hidden — and when it comes to vouchers, Arizona has entered the “lie big and find out” phase.
Basic math – ESAs save the state money
Opponents of parental choice in education are doing their best Chicken Little in an attempt to scare Arizonans out of allowing parents control over their children’s education. But all the cries of “bankruptcy” and attempts at creative math cannot change the simple fact that giving parents a choice on how to best educate their children actually saves the state money.
