Category: Education Explainer
GEAR UP, TRIO, and Head Start: Federal Education Programs Serving Arizona Students and Families
Proposed cuts from the federal government for fiscal year 2026 have drawn attention to three long-standing federal programs: GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs), TRIO, and Head Start. These programs have long been important in supporting low-income, first-generation, and rural students, particularly in states like Arizona, where underinvestment in education has […]
Understanding Arizona’s Proposition 123: Past, Present, and Future
Understanding Arizona’s Proposition 123: Past, Present, and Future Arizona’s Proposition 123 has played a substantial role in funding K-12 education since its passage in 2016. As the measure nears its expiration in June 2025, discussions about its renewal and potential reforms are at the forefront of state politics...
The Stakes Are High: Why Head Start Matters Now More Than Ever in Arizona
Why Now: Protecting a Critical Resource for Arizona Families As Arizona families continue to face economic pressures and access to early childhood programs remains uneven, especially in rural communities, Head Start has never been more essential. At the same time, recent federal staffing cuts threaten the very support systems that help these programs succeed...
Arizona Education Progress Meter 2025 Updates
Education Forward Arizona, in partnership with Center for the Future of Arizona, recently released its annual update for the Arizona Education Progress Meter. This nonpartisan data tool is used as a guide to show the growth needed to reach our state’s Achieve60AZ goal based on eight key indicators spanning early childhood, K-12, and postsecondary education...
Why Arizona High School Graduation Rates Matter
The Significance of High School Graduation and Its Economic Impact on Arizona Graduating from high school is more than just celebrating four years of learning, making new friends, and trying new experiences. It is a celebration of the skills it takes to graduate high school successfully, namely critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, all of […]
Gov. Hobbs’ Proposed FY2026 Executive Education Budget: What You Need To Know
Gov. Hobbs released her proposed FY26 Budget on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. The Governor’s budget seeks to address the education funding shortfalls in the FY25 budget, by aiming to boost K-12 education, restore some higher education funding, support affordable childcare, and establish income caps for Universal Empowerment Scholarship Accounts...
Understanding Arizona’s Community Colleges and the Importance of Passing Prop 402 & 486
Arizona’s community colleges are vital to our state’s economy and educational system. They offer affordable, high-quality programs that range from vocational training to academic transfer pathways. These colleges provide opportunities for people to gain the skills they need for in-demand jobs, contributing to Arizona’s economic growth and individual upward mobility...
Education Explainer – Understanding the Ballot Measures That Affect Education in Arizona
Education Forward Arizona is committed to ensuring that public education remains a focal point across all levels in the state of Arizona. As a nonpartisan organization, we strive to be a trusted advocate for issues related to education leading to the Achieve60AZ goal...
Education Explainer: Arizona Voters Want More Opportunities for Education and Training After High School
Education Forward Arizona recently commissioned the bipartisan team of researchers from FM3 Research and HighGround Consulting to administer a survey to more than 600 randomly selected Arizona voters. The respondents were contacted via text messaging and telephones, and interviews were conducted online and by phone by live interviewers...
Education Explainer: Education Progress Meter
Education Forward Arizona, in partnership with the Center for the Future of Arizona, recently released the annual update for the Education Progress Meter. This nonpartisan data tool is used to show what it will take to reach our state’s Achieve60AZ goal based on eight indicators representing early, K-12, and postsecondary education...