To be clear, lawmakers should seek to advance policies that protect the rights and liberties of all people, regardless of race or wealth. But especially as union activists seek to point fingers in every direction but their own when it comes to “structural barriers” holding back communities of color, perhaps it is time lawmakers rethink their loyalties and take action to remove the real obstacles affecting communities in need.
Read More »Report: schools can’t fill teacher vacancies
An average 20% boost in teacher salaries in the past four years has apparently done little to entice people into the classroom and keep experienced staffers there.
Read More »Public schools brace for possible wave of teacher retirements
While President Trump and his administration try to push schools across the country to reopen, Arizona is facing a situation where positive COVID-19 cases continue to skyrocket and teachers who don’t feel safe returning to the classroom might retire. School ...
Read More »Great schools innovate to teach our kids successfully during and beyond this pandemic
It is a critical time that cannot be lost in handwringing about whether or not it is possible to teach successfully in this moment. It is. And policymakers can help. Today’s students need the benefit of novel education policies designed around this time and these urgent needs.
Read More »Babysitters are paid more than what Arizona spends on students
That title is not a typo. In fact, we think it’s pretty embarrassing.
Read More »Put party politics aside, support teachers, students, families
Our schools need a leader who will prioritize service to our children, schools, and communities — and as state superintendent, that’s precisely what I’ll do. It will take collaboration and legislative support across party lines. However, this election showed that communities across Arizona value public education and there is bipartisan support for pro-public education policies.
Read More »Pay raise puts slight dent in Arizona teacher shortage
Nearly one in four teaching vacancies that school districts had this year remain unfilled four weeks into the academic year.
Read More »20% teacher pay raise made to be permanent 
With Arizona’s 2018-2019 state budget now signed by the governor, I wanted to clearly explain how the 20-percent teacher pay raise was determined, how it will be provided to schools, who will be receiving raises and how much should educators ...
Read More »Wrap up with Steve Yarbrough 
After 16 years as an Arizona state representative, then senator, Senate President Steve Yarbrough is calling it quits.
Read More »Wrap up with Rebecca Rios 
After more than two decades at the Legislature, Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, D-Phoenix, said she thought it was pretty safe to assume how her last session in the House would play out.
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