Category: Uncategorized
A Holiday Wish List for Arizona’s Future
What Voters Want from Education Policymakers This holiday season, Arizona voters are making it clear what they’d like to see under the tree or, more accurately, under the dome at the State Capitol. As lawmakers prepare to return for a new legislative session, Arizonans are calling for bold action to strengthen education and workforce development...
Federal Layoffs Threaten Special Education and Arizona’s Future
The U.S. Department of Education laid off nearly all staff of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)—a move that could devastate support for Arizona students with disabilities and their families. Without these staff, the federal government’s ability to enforce special education laws, process funding, and provide support will be severely weakened...
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Honoring Students Who Inspire Arizona’s Future
Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month offers a moment to celebrate the rich culture, leadership, and achievements that have helped shape Arizona. It also reminds us how deeply Arizona’s success is tied to the strength and contributions of Arizona’s Hispanic community...
Protecting Postsecondary Attainment in Arizona
Arizona’s future depends on increasing postsecondary attainment for all students. But recent federal action threatens that goal. On September 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it plans to withhold approximately $350 million in discretionary grant funding, already allocated by Congress, for colleges and universities that serve large populations of historically underserved students...
Celebrating Decades of Partnership and the Power of Education
For twenty years, Helios Education Foundation has been a driving force in expanding educational opportunity in Arizona and Florida. With more than $350 million invested, their strategic efforts have impacted more than 2 million students and supported over half a million education professionals...
Back to School: When Students Succeed, Arizona Succeeds
Advancing Arizona’s Most Strategic Investment As students and educators head back to school this month ready to learn, grow and prepare for the future, we continue to work diligently on advocating and acting on education improvements in Arizona. And the stakes have never been higher...
Millions in Federal Education Funds Finally Released Just In Time for Arizona Students to Go Back To School
On Friday July 25th, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced it will release the remaining, previously withheld, $5 billion in federal education funding for the 2025–26 school year. This long-awaited decision follows weeks of delays that left schools in limbo and threatened to derail critical programs that support Arizona students and educators...
Withholding Federal Education Funds Will Have a Detrimental Impact on Arizona Students and Workforce Development
Updated as of July 21, 2025 At the end of June, school districts across the country received a one-day notice that they would not be receiving some of their Title funds on July 1. While some concerted bi-partisan pressure led to just a portion of the dollars being released, and they mostly applied to after school […]
Arizona Students with Disabilities Have Everything to Gain
Key Takeaway: We want all Arizona students to grow into healthy, successful adults–and we know that higher education improves their chances. But for many students with disabilities–including my own two kids–higher education is laced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles...
Investing in Arizona’s Future: What the FY2026 State Budget Means for Education
Education Forward Arizona’s mission is to advocate for and act on education improvements that advance the quality of life for all Arizonans. A thriving education ecosystem is a cornerstone of a successful state economy, healthy communities and an individual’s ability to support themselves and their families...