Court of Appeals rules Title IX lawsuit against University of Arizona can move forward
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that a Title IX lawsuit against the University of Arizona filed by a former student can move forward, reversing a previous ruling by its own three-judge panel that held the school was not liable.
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[...]
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.
Arizona has more work to do to fund public schools equitably
As students in Phoenix and across the country continue to reel from the effects of the Covid pandemic, there has been a lot of conversation about the importance of students receiving the education funding they need. By March 2021, the federal government had committed an unprecedented $190 billion in extra funds to public schools—but by most measures, students are still far behind their pre-pande[...]
Student and teacher mental health programming supported by Covid funds could be in limbo
Student and educator mental health programming supported by Covid grant relief funds may be in limbo after the Arizona Department of Education requested reports on the efficacy in remedying learning loss.
Finding enemies at home: how ‘worldview’ explains our differences
When we consider some Arizona legislators these days, we might think, “I don’t believe they even live in the same world as me!” Guess what? They may not! They are so different in their views, beliefs and values that they may seem to be different kinds of people altogether. That’s not a desert mirage; it’s real! But what makes them so different?
Biden administration cancels loans for former Ashford U. students, with plans to recoup costs
The Biden administration is canceling $72 million in student loans for 2,300 borrowers who say they were cheated by Ashford University, a former for-profit college that was purchased by the University of Arizona in 2020.
Attempts to curtail universal ESA program fail
In the first legislative session following the universal expansion of the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, attempts to curtail or enact further oversight for the program fell flat.
Longest session didn’t yield much – lawmakers eye 2024
Arizona lawmakers wrapped up the longest session in state history last month, but little changed by way of new legislation.
Arizona needs 190K direct care workers in next seven years
By 2030, Arizona will need more than 190,000 new direct care workers. Those results, from a 2021 survey from the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute (PHI), concluded that, without intervention, the caregiver crisis will worsen.
Public universities ending diversity, inclusion statements
Arizona’s public universities are discontinuing diversity, equity and inclusion statements in job applications for faculty and staff.