Arizona
U.S.
Rank
- Opportunity
- Innovation
- Policy Environment
For the fourth straight year, Arizona’s charter students scored higher in nearly every grade and subject than district students – 11% higher overall. Given that 55% of all charter students in the state are minority students, compared to 45% minority students at district schools, their success is clear.
Law passed: 1994
Most recently amended: 2019
Number of charter schools: 573
Number of charter students: 213,000
Cap on the number of schools allowed:? No
Virtual charters allowed? Yes
AUTHORIZERS: Universities, school districts, and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools can all authorize charter schools. The State Board is a strong authorizer that has historically respected schools’ autonomy and fostered growth. Currently, the only university authorizing charter schools is Arizona State University with 12 schools.
GROWTH: 18% of all students in Arizona attend a charter school, and over the past 10 years, charters have added approximately 10,000 students each year. There is no cap but authorizers do self-regulate approvals and opponents have been working hard to control charter school growth. A bill that would have increased restrictions and non-essential regulations over charters nearly passed in 2019!
OPERATIONS: Like other high autonomy states, charters have a blanket waiver from all non-health and safety regulations that apply to traditional schools.
EQUITY: Arizona’s law calculates a base funding level for charter schools which is considered low and provides equal access to all applicable federal and state funding. Charter schools in Arizona receive $951 less per student than traditional public schools. Facilities funds are not available but in 2019 the state strengthened the ability for charters to use available public school facilities and purchase facilities directly from districts.
Arizona has five private school choice programs, providing roughly 84,118 families with the ability to send their children to private schools. Growth in participation of these programs is strong because Arizona’s families – especially those with children with special needs or from low-income households have the opportunity to choose the best school for their children, moving their score up from a B+ to an A.
Law enacted: 1234
Number of programs: 55
Statewide Participation: 6
Types of programs: 7
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Arizona – Original Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program
This program, launched in 1997, allows taxpayers to receive tax credits for their donations to nonprofit organizations that provide school scholarships to K–12 students.
Tax-Credit Scholarship
“Switcher” Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Arizona’s “switcher” tax-credit scholarship program was enacted and launched in 2012. Taxpayers who have donated the maximum credit amount for the Original Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program can then choose to participate in this program. Donors can receive 100% credit and it benefits students whose household income is between 185-342% of the federal poverty level. The law allows donors to receive tax credits for their donations to non-profit school tuition organizations that give scholarships to students in need.
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Lexie’s Law for Disabled and Displaced Students Tax Credit Scholarship Program
The Arizona legislature enacted “Lexie’s Law” in 2009. The program, a tax-credit scholarship for students with special needs, launched in the same year. This program is the nation’s first tax credit scholarship program for students with special needs, eligibility is limited for students with special needs and students in foster care. The tax credit for donors who contribute is 100% and the program budget is capped at 5 million dollars.
Tax-Credit Scholarship
Low-Income Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Arizona’s Low-Income Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program passed in 2006, and it launched in the same year. This tax-credit scholarship program allows corporate taxpayers to receive 100% dollar-for-dollar tax credits for their donations to nonprofit organizations that provide school scholarships to K–12 students from low-income families. The Corporate Tuition Tax Credit Program is capped for FY 19-20 at $106.9M.
Education Savings Account
Empowerment Scholarship Accounts
Arizona was the first state to enact an education savings account program, the newest school choice mechanism. The passage and launch of the Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program in 2011 opened the door to new learning opportunities for students with special needs and circumstances, and the expansion in 2017 will eventually make the program open to nearly all of Arizona’s K–12 students.
Teacher prep programs not linked to student outcomes nor require content knowledge are some of AZ’s biggest defiencies.
Arizona is home to many high quality digital learning schools and programs across charters and districts, such as Phoenix Union District, ASU Digital Prep, Arizona Virtual Academy, and Sunnyside Unified School District.
Arizona has Education Technology Standards for students based on grade level, and the state provides teachers multiple resources to integrate technology into the classroom, as well as resources for mobile learning and digital learning.
Arizona also has the law, Title IV-A , that helps teachers and schools with online learning, more information can be found here.
Bandwidth: “96.1% of students in Arizona can access the Internet at speeds of 100 kbps per student, and many students are connected at higher speeds. But there is still work to be done. 36,255 students still need more bandwidth for digital learning.”
In Arizona, there exists an abundant amount of personalized learning activity, but it is not backed by a full state effort. Many leading charters and some innovative districts are exemplars in personalized learning.
Arizona has a proficiency based diploma, the Grand Canyon Diploma, where “Advancement is based on mastery, not seat time. Students advance when they demonstrate competency. Students who show they are college-ready in English, mathematics, science, history and the arts earn the Grand Canyon High School Diploma. Students must prove in-depth learning on curriculum-based exams in each of these subject areas, demonstrating skills with writing, analysis, and problem-solving.”
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On March 10th, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Arizona set a statewide expectation of remote learning for all students. The Governor announced March 30 that schools were closed for the remainder of the school year, and schools and teachers were encouraged to continue providing educational opportunities to the best of their ability. Compared to most states, Arizona was ahead of the curve in beginning to plan for remote learning when it was announced school closures would last through the end of the school year. LEAs were asked to submit their own Remote Learning Opportunity Plan to the state by April 15 but many had already started on their own.
The state also has provided a page with resources for teachers, schools, students, and parents.
After convening a task force to discuss reopening school for the 2020-21 school year, the superintendent of public instruction released a Roadmap for Reopening Schools.
June 25, Gov. Ducey announced a new order giving schools the flexibility to offer hybrid options without major financial penalties or compliance with complex procurement rules for COVID-19-related purchases, along with a $269 million funding package developed with input from district superintendents and school leaders. Due to rising cases in Arizona, Governor Ducey delayed the reopening of schools until Aug. 17th, when districts could begin in-person instruction if local health authorities agreed. Districts opting for full-time distance learning are required to offer “free on-site learning opportunities” for students who need it for supervision during the day or other support.
Additionally, Arizona State University, a national leader in innovation compiled a comprehensive list of excellent digital learning resources for students in the wake of COVID-19.
4th Grade Math Proficiency:
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Graduation Rate:
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Public School Enrollment:
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Doug Ducey (R)
First term began in 2015 (two-term limit)
Governor Ducey, former CEO of successful Arizona ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery with almost a decade of statewide leadership experience as State Treasurer and Governor is an outspoken advocate for charter schools and private school choice. He has been a supporter of Arizona’s scholarship tax credit scholarship programs that help make it more accessible for students to go to the school of their choice. He said, “Public education is about educating the public. I like the idea of the student and their parent making the choice.”
While the House and Senate have both historically been friendly to education opportunity, it has become increasingly difficult in the House where Red for Ed, the relatively new teacher protest movement, has helped to constrain bold voices for change.
Arizona’s constitution contains a Blaine Amendment. The Arizona Supreme Court previously struck down a voucher program. However, that Court later let stand a Court of Appeals decision upholding the Empowerment Scholarship Account program.
https://ij.org/report/school-choice-and-state-constitutions/arizona/
Arizona’s commitment to transparency is clear, and this is a benefit to students and families. School report cards are highlighted on the main page of the state DOE website. Report card data is thorough and comprehensive, and every school is assigned a summative rating based on student academic measures.The report includes important data such as student enrollment, teacher qualification, student achievement, and per pupil expenditures.There is also a helpful feature to compare schools so parents can see how theirs lines up against others in the state. Information about educational options are also easily accessible from the homepage.
Arizona holds school board elections during the general election cycle, which gives parents more power in their decision making because of higher voter turnout.