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Public education advocates bemoan school money still not enough
It’s hard to argue the budget doesn’t focus on education when much of the new spending focuses on K-12 or university education initiatives. The fiscal year 2018 budget adds $163 million above inflation funding to schools.
Wrap up with Doug Ducey
In the end, Gov. Doug Ducey got nearly everything he wanted – slightly more money for teachers, a huge university bonding plan and several controversial education programs like universal vouchers and performance funding for schools.
Arizona top teachers unload on Legislature
Three current and former teachers of the year lashed out Monday at lawmakers for failing to properly fund schools -- and salaries -- but were more forgiving of local school boards who actually set their pay.
The cost of cuts: Arizona tax carve-outs last year hit $13.7B
In fiscal year 2016, state law allowed $13.7 billion in taxes to go uncollected through a litany of exemptions, deductions, allowances, exclusions or credits. And that number is likely to grow by another $1-to-2 billion once individual income tax deductions are tallied.
Lawmakers tackle $9.8 billion budget filled with Ducey’s priorities
The fiscal year 2018 budget proposed a small boost in pay for Arizona teachers, allowed the state’s universities to take on more debt to construct new buildings, and instituted a performance-pay program for high-achieving schools.
Douglas calling for tax increase for teacher pay raises
Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas is advocating for a permanent extension and expansion of Proposition 301, a sales tax to fund public education that expires after 2020.
Governor distancing himself from education ballot initiatives
Gov. Doug Ducey doesn’t support efforts by one of his allies to cap pay for public school administrators and mandate a higher level of direct classroom spending.
School advocates express skepticism over Ducey’s results-based funding
One of the largest chunks of funding in Gov. Doug Ducey’s budget proposal would send additional dollars to high-performing schools, a plan that critics say is counterintuitive.
National GOP figures cheer Ducey’s approval of universal school vouchers
Expanding school vouchers boosted Gov. Doug Ducey’s profile in national Republican circles, with praise coming from major GOP figures and an editorial in The Wall Street Journal commending the state.... […]
Educators, Ducey at odds as public school issues reach critical stage
Gov. Doug Ducey’s push for a universal school-voucher program has fractured his relationship with advocates and groups he needed in the past and will need in the future as he tries to secure his legacy on K-12 education.
Rep. Michelle Udall: A math and science geek tries to solve the education equation
Republican Rep. Michelle Udall is a self-proclaimed “geek” who grew up shooting rockets with her brothers, which sparked her interest in math and science at an early age.
Civics education a building block of our American Democracy
We all know about reading, writing and arithmetic, but have you ever thought about the importance of our children learning civics? Arizona is leading a push to make sure civics is a part of our curricula. In 2015, Governor Ducey and legislators made sure students had to pass a civics test to graduate from high school. That begins with this year’s senior class. Arizona was the first state in the [...]
