Category: Education Explainer
What is Affirmative Action and What Does it Mean for Arizona Students?
What is Affirmative Action? The phrase “affirmative action” was first used in the early 1960s by President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. The purpose was to improve opportunities for African Americans while efforts were being made to create civil rights legislation that would reverse laws that allowed for discrimination...
Education Explainer: Dual Enrollment
Research has documented that dual enrollment courses for high school students prepare students for success at a community college, university or vocational program. Dual enrollment is a key strategy in helping Arizona reach its Achieve60AZ goal of getting 60% of adults in the state to obtain postsecondary education attainment by 2030...
What’s in the Governor’s Proposed FY24 Budget?
Governor Hobbs included a number of investments for K-12 and higher education in her proposed budget for the next fiscal year (FY24). We’re thrilled about the proposed investments in the Governor’s budget to expand the Arizona Promise Program and to create a new scholarship for Dreamers...
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...
Proposition 308 Explained
As voters begin to receive their mail-in ballots, we thought we’d bring you a breakdown of Proposition 308, what it is, and how it has the potential to help Arizona students achieve a degree or credential. Education Forward Arizona has taken a position of support for Prop 308...
Arizona School Vouchers Explained
In June, the Arizona legislature and Governor approved a mass expansion of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, also known as school vouchers. Education Forward Arizona stands opposed to the mass expansion of school vouchers (you can read more on this in our recent op-ed)...
FY23 Budget Overview
While we were pleased to see a bipartisan budget that includes much-needed investments in K-12 education and resources to support students from low-income families and students with disabilities, we were disappointed that a long-term P-20 solution to education funding was not addressed...
What’s Important to Include in a School Funding Proposal & the Impact of SB1269
The legislature is considering proposals that would change the school funding formula and add new funding to schools if a grand bargain is made. As policymakers debate these proposals, we believe it is important to zoom out to look at the bigger picture of school funding needs in Arizona...
Arizona’s High School Graduation Requirements: Spotlight on Math
Arizona’s high school graduation requirements set the bar for what courses students need to take while they are in high school. But more importantly, they communicate to students what they need to be successful in their postsecondary education and careers after high school...
Aggregate Expenditure Limit Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of questions about the Aggregate Expenditure Limit, the spending cap that is jeopardizing $1.1B in existing funding for K-12 district public schools. If you’re looking to gain a basic understanding of what the AEL is, start with this blog...