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Legislature passes education sales-tax extension
Arizona lawmakers voted to extend a sales tax that helps fund public education, ensuring that more than $600 million in state revenues earmarked for schools will continue for another two decades.
School sales tax extension to be fast-tracked at Legislature
Arizona Senate President Steve Yarbrough said state lawmakers will fast track a bill to permanently extend a sales tax dedicated to public education through both chambers on Thursday.
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.
Put aside differences to reach unanimous consensus on K-12 funding
Governor Ducey recently called on Congress to “talk to each other,” to “stop playing games,” and to “get it done” when referring to the government shutdown. We echo that sentiment. Our classrooms are in crisis. We need our leaders to talk to each other, and get it done.
Douglas renews call for tax hike to fund teacher raises
In her annual State of Education speech Monday, Douglas cited statistics showing that more than one out of every five teaching vacancies at the beginning of this school year still remained unfilled four months later.
New group pushes upbeat image of Arizona’s education system
A new nonprofit backed by business groups is running ads on television and online to put a positive spin on the state of Arizona’s education.
New school funding error found, no solution in place
According to a letter sent to school districts and charter schools on Tuesday, the department under-allocated $15.2 million in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, funding. Department spokesman Stefan Swiat said a 2015 audit by the Office of Special Education Programs also found that $14.3 million was over-allocated, affecting about 400 charters and districts.
State Board of Education will reconsider new school grading system
Facing a barrage of questions and criticism, the State Board of Education voted Monday to take another look at its new system for grading schools.
State ironing out performance pay program for public schools
High-performing schools got a temporary boost in state funding because of their standardized test scores, but the additional money has proven to be incredibly short-lived for some schools under Gov. Doug Ducey’s signature performance pay plan.
Schools cover tab for lawmakers’ failure to fund special education
Arizona lawmakers have not adjusted the additional dollars allocated for students with special needs in at least a decade, and public schools have been left to make up the difference.
Shamless: Charter schools performing well and here to stay
Charter and private schools are here for the foreseeable future. The right answer is for leaders of the public school system to adopt what the “parallel schools” are doing right to help raise the performance of the traditional public-schools.
Ducey defends using public funds for private schools
Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday defended state laws that let parents use public funds to send children to private and parochial schools.
