New poll spurs Horne’s push for punishing schools that don’t support teachers
So why are teachers leaving the profession? Yes, there’s the perennial issue of pay. But a new survey released Tuesday by the state Department of Education of those who did […]
Work in progress: teacher pay raise plan gets initial OK
Republican lawmakers’ plan to increase teacher pay by extending Proposition 123, which uses state land trust funds, passed out of a Senate committee Wednesday.
NAU creates pathway for Indigenous educators to earn degrees
Northern Arizona University’s Preparing Indigenous Teachers for Arizona Schools, or PITAS, is a program that allows paraprofessionals, educational assistants and others already embedded in schools on or bordering one of Arizona’s 22 Native Nations to obtain their teaching degree and certification.
Toma probably won’t offer bill to revamp ESA program
The Republican speaker of the Arizona House of Representatives indicated Nov. 14 that he doesn't plan to write any legislation with the goal of overhauling the state’s growing Empowerment Scholarship Account program after he chaired a House panel tasked with oversight into the program.
Number of failing schools fell; alternative schools headed the other way
The number of schools getting an F on the state’s annual report card has fallen sharply, going from 49 in 2019 to 24 this year, but the number of failing alternative schools rose over the same period.
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.
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.
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.
Q&A with Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein
Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein shared her opinions on the highlights and challenges of the 2023 legislative session.
With pay lagging, school districts try other enticements to get teachers
Chino Valley is trying tiny houses as an inducement for teachers. The district is not alone. From tiny houses to alternative teacher certification programs to hiring teachers from overseas, school districts around Arizona are scrambling for ways to attract teachers to a state that offers some of the lowest salaries in the nation.
Public schools will be inspected regularly, committee will update campuses for safety
Public schools across Arizona will be inspected regularly to make sure they meet minimum standards to educate students under a new executive order issued by Gov. Katie Hobbs. And in a separate order, the governor formed a committee to update those to 2023 levels to ensure the schools have what it takes to help protect students during a campus shooting.
Veto of public porn or book banning?
Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill on Monday she said aimed to ban books, but the sponsor said it’s meant to ban the “practice” of filming pornography in public schools.