Author: Laura Ory

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Candidates for Governor and Superintendent Interviewed by Students

On Tuesday, Arizonans will vote on the leaders of the state in the races for Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Among the most important stakeholders in education are the students who are learning in Arizona classrooms every day...


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Education Explainer: Arizona’s Teacher Shortage

Arizona’s teachers are the foundation of our education system. Our teachers are the most important factor in our schools that influence student achievement. But for the last seven years, Arizona has been struggling with a teacher shortage. Recent data from the Arizona Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA) shows that Arizona’s teacher shortage continues and is worsening...


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EdVotersArizona.org launches as nonpartisan resource for voters to hear from candidates for Governor and State Superintendent

On the eve of ballots being mailed to Arizona voters, Education Forward Arizona launched EdVotersArizona.org, a website where the candidates running for Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction were interviewed by one of education’s most important stakeholders – students...


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A Letter to Arizona Candidates

We’re calling on the candidates running for Governor and Superintendent of Public Instruction to prioritize education by offering solutions to the education issues that matter most to us, our students, and our state. We want candidates to discuss and share solutions that address these priorities that will have the greatest impact on Arizona students: Ensuring every Arizona public […]


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2022 Legislative Session Wrap Up

After one of the longest legislative sessions on record, Arizona legislators wrapped up their session in June. While we were pleased with many of the investments made in the budget for education, including funding for low-income students, special education students and increasing the Arizona Promise Scholarship program, we were disheartened that a more comprehensive P-20 […]


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Why Arizonans Should Vote Yes on Prop 308

We believe that every student in Arizona should have the opportunity to pursue education or training after high school. If passed, Proposition 308 will help nearly 2,000 Dreamers each year gain access to more affordable postsecondary education. Prop. 308 will provide in-state tuition rates for all Arizona high school graduates, regardless of immigration status...


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Op-Ed: Voters Want Candidates to Focus on Key Education Issues

By Rich Nickel, President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona Excerpted from the Arizona Capitol Times In a state where significant challenges plague the education system — and legitimate solutions exist —strong leaders thinking and working together across both sides of the aisle can ignite meaningful change...


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Arizona Budget and ESA Expansion Fall Short for Arizona Students

By Rich Nickel, president and CEO, Education Forward Arizona Last week, the Arizona legislature reached a compromise to pass a budget, which included much-needed investments in K-12 education and important resources for schools serving students from low-income families and students with disabilities...


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Taking Inspiration from Science: Meet Jennifer Cheeseman

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Education Forward Arizona wanted to ask some of Arizona’s teachers what inspires their work. Meet Jennifer Cheesman, a science teacher at Zuni Hills Elementary School in the Peoria Unified School District. She is a semi-finalist for the 2022 Arizona Educational Foundation’s Teacher of the Year and recently received a […]


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A Contagious Passion for Learning: Meet Edgar Ochoa

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week this month, Education Forward Arizona is passing the mic to some of our state’s inspiring educators! Meet Edgar Ochoa, a junior high social studies teacher at Ed & Verma Pastor Elementary School in Phoenix...