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Viewing Category: Education
State gives preliminary OK to more graduation requirementsThe state Board of Education gave preliminary approval Monday to adding requirements for high school students to get their diplomas.
Posted by Editor at 11:59 AM
Charter school company name change denied after owner's indictmentThe Arizona State Board for Charter Schools refused Monday to allow a charter school company to change its name after its owner was indicted on felony theft charges in California.
C. Steven Cox owns Educational Administrative Services which operates Morningstar Academy, an elementary school, in Apache Junction.
Permalink [Filed under: Education]Posted by Editor at 01:58 PM
Arizona's charters overstate their enrollment, audits showSteve Chavez tried for four years to get an accurate count of the 250 or so students attending his five small charter schools in northern Arizona.
He can't say exactly why it was difficult. Perhaps clerical problems, he said, or having the kids spread across too many campuses. Chavez said Renaissance Educational Consortium never established a uniform policy to track students.
Permalink [Filed under: Education]Posted by Editor at 10:37 AM
AIMS results displease governorPHOENIX — Gov. Janet Napolitano said Wednesday she is "not happy" with the latest results of Arizona's high-stakes graduation test, which showed statewide scores improving slightly but more students missing out on a diploma."I think maintaining status quo on AIMS, which is a 10th grade test, is shooting way too low," she said. "The question for us ought to be, 'Why isn't every person by 12th grade, absent extraordinary circumstances, able to pass AIMS?'"
Napolitano's comments follow a more positive spin offered by Tom Horne, the state's superintendent of public instruction, who called the results "significant" when they were released to the media Tuesday. On Wednesday, he reiterated that.
Permalink [Filed under: Education, Governor]
Posted by Editor at 07:33 AM
Flake tries to strike education earmarkArizona Congressman Jeff Flake is trying to strike an earmark which would provide $1 million for a Maricopa County Community College program that helps low-income and minority high school students get into college.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Flake, Pastor]Flake, a Republican who represents Arizona’s 6th Congressional District, is known as a steadfast opponent of federal funding for lawmakers’ special projects. He refuses to request money for special projects and often tries to defeat such earmarks in other lawmakers’ districts.
This time, Flake opposed a provision in an energy bill that would aid community colleges in his own district. The earmark was backed by his fellow Arizona representative, Ed Pastor, a Democrat who represents the state’s 4th Congressional District and whose daughter works for the community college district.
Posted by Editor at 07:53 AM
Attorney woes, costs soaring in English-learner legal quagmire legal tanglePHOENIX — Arizona taxpayers have spent nearly $1.3 million on attorneys fighting court orders to do more to help students learn English.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Immigration, Judiciary, Legislature]And in some cases the lawyers getting state funds are not even on the same side of the legal arguments.
Figures provided by the state Department of Administration show the Attorney General's Office, which is officially representing the interests of the state in the legal battle, has paid $491,103 to the firm of Lewis & Roca since September 2001, the year after a federal judge ruled the state was not spending enough money to teach students classified as "English language learners."
Posted by Editor at 07:45 AM
Chance for change is lost at CapitolThe National Data Quality Campaign has determined that being able to link teacher identifiers (confidential identification numbers) with student identifiers (also confidential) is a key element for a quality state student-data system. Arizona K-12 teachers and students already have those identifiers. State legislation would have enabled connecting teacher identifiers with the student identifiers, aiding staff development and providing teacher-preparation at universities across the state as a tool to assess the effectiveness of their programs.It's puzzling that the session would close without work to complete funding for English-language learners - in spite of a court order. Nationally, 9.5 percent of the student population is made up of English-language learners, and in Arizona, it's 16.5 percent. We know that this growing population will be a vital part of the foundation for Arizona's economic future, and it is troubling that our lawmakers would give their education short shrift.
Permalink [Filed under: Education, Immigration, Legislature, Opinion]
Posted by Editor at 12:48 AM
Lawyer wants state fined millions of dollars over English language programsPHOENIX -- An attorney for parents of English learners wants a federal judge to again begin imposing stiff fines on the state for failing to properly fund teaching programs.
Tim Hogan said Friday that lawmakers ignored an order in March by U.S. District Court Judge Raner Collins to come up with a new plan by the end of the legislative session. Instead, they chose to do nothing and instead appeal.
Hogan said the threat of substantial fines may be what is finally needed to get their attention.
Posted by Editor at 12:42 AM
Arizona faces new penaltiesArizona could again face financial sanctions for failing to provide adequate funding to teach English to an estimated 160,000 schoolchildren struggling to learn the language.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Immigration, Judiciary, Legislature]On Monday, a federal District Court judge refused to put on hold his March order that the state revamp its funding scheme for English-language learner programs by the end of the legislative session. Lawmakers adjourned last week without addressing the issue, instead seeking a stay of the order and holding out hope that a higher court would side with them on appeal.
Monday's ruling means legislative leaders could be held in contempt of court and the state could again face millions of dollars in fines for failing to act to settle the 15-year-old dispute. This fall, yet another class of Arizona schoolchildren will enroll in classrooms, and English-learner programs will be financially strapped as schools struggle to comply with federal law, teachers and school officials say.
Posted by Editor at 08:04 AM
Tribal members receiving an education thanks to gamblingMESA, Ariz. - One of the payoffs of gambling on the Gila River Indian Community is education paid for by the tribe.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Native Americans]For decades, most tribal members stayed on the reservation, living in family groups.
But new money, much of it generated from Indian gaming, has changed that.
Posted by Editor at 07:56 AM
Judge: Contempt process will go onPHOENIX — A federal judge refused Monday to halt contempt proceedings while attorneys for state lawmakers appeal his ruling that the lawmakers are not adequately funding programs to teach English.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Judiciary, Legislature]The ruling by Judge Raner Collins technically means the state is now in contempt of his order earlier this year to adopt a new plan by the end of the legislative session. Lawmakers adjourned Wednesday without acting.
Posted by Editor at 07:44 AM
Judge to rule on whether to proceed with English-learner order against stateA federal judge is expected to decide today whether to put on hold his March order to lawmakers to provide more funding to help nearly 160,000 Arizona schoolchildren struggling to learn the English language.U.S. District Judge Raner Collins had ruled that a funding scheme approved by state lawmakers last year to satisfy a seven-year-old court order violated federal law and did not provide adequate funding to school districts. He ordered lawmakers to address the issue by the end of the legislative session or face sanctions.
Lawmakers, who requested a stay of that order pending their appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, adjourned Wednesday without providing more funding for English instruction. Collins told attorneys this week that it came to his attention that he had not yet ruled on the request for the stay and held a hearing Friday afternoon, said Amy Bjelland, an attorney for Senate Republicans.
Permalink [Filed under: Education, Judiciary, Legislature]
Posted by Editor at 07:54 AM
New law puts U.S. flag, federal documents on display in every classroomSchool officials across the state are hoisting flags and tacking up copies of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights to meet requirements of a new law going into effect on Sunday.Every public classroom in every school, from Grade 7 up to the college and university level, must display an American-made American flag along with the documents.
The law originally said that all flags must be 2 feet by 3 feet, but legislators have since adjusted the law to allow any flag that is visible, easily recognized, and not made of paper, so that schools don't yet have to replace those.
Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature]
Posted by Editor at 07:52 AM
Legislators seek legal shield against ELLPHOENIX - The Arizona Legislature adjourned its annual session without complying with a federal judge's order to revamp programs for students learning the English language, but Republican lawmakers have asked an appellate court to temporarily shield the state from possible sanctions.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature]In an urgent motion filed before the Legislature adjourned its session Wednesday evening, the Republican legislative leaders asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put U.S. District Judge Raner C. Collins' order on hold while the Legislature appeals.
Unless the 9th Circuit issues a stay, Collins "may force the state of Arizona to amend its laws by the threat of onerous fines," the Republican leaders' motion stated.
Posted by Editor at 07:25 AM
Plan to slice textbook costs OK'dFLAGSTAFF - The Arizona Board of Regents Thursday approved a list of 10 measures aimed at lowering textbook prices at the three state universities.Permalink [Filed under: Education]The vote represents the first time the board has taken aggressive action to make textbooks more affordable for students.
The actions range from piloting book-rental programs to having university bookstores offer low-price guarantees.
Posted by Editor at 07:08 AM
Legislature: No money for international schools programThe Arizona Legislature agreed this week to create schools that teach students to compete in the global economy, but it didn’t set aside any money to pay for them.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature]That unfunded action has left supporters of international schools looking for donations from corporations and grants from the federal government to get these schools of the ground.
“It would have been nice to have the money, but we’re going to make this happen anyway,” said Mark Anderson, R-Mesa, chairman of House Education Committee.
Posted by Editor at 07:51 AM
$3M college-fund tax break in budget billPHOENIX — Saving money ahead of time for your child's college tuition will earn you a tax break soon.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature]A $3 million tax-cut package — part of $11 million in tax cuts in the state's $10.6 billion budget deal — would allow Arizonans to invest up to $750 a year, tax-free, into a 529 college savings account. From there, the principal is invested to achieve earnings. Couples could invest up to $1,500 tax-free in the accounts.
Posted by Editor at 07:21 AM
Tougher residency rules hurt classesA Mesa woman who teaches English, math and other basic skills to Hispanics said she lost half of her students after voters approved new rules last year that prohibit illegal immigrants from benefiting from public programs.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Immigration, Legislature]Now, as state lawmakers take steps to bolster the law, Lucie Monell is worried she could lose even more students. After all, they can’t enroll if they can’t show proper identification showing that they are legal residents.
“The problem has already gotten so ugly because of the fear of being asked to show your papers,” said Monell, who teaches teenagers and adults and receives some funding from local school districts. “I think it’s going to get even worse.”
Posted by Editor at 07:19 AM
Cheaper books riding on Regents voteArizona university students could notice lower textbook prices as early as next spring if the Arizona Board of Regents approves a list of 10 measures to curb the prices.The board will vote Thursday on recommendations that range from having university bookstores offer low-price guarantees to piloting book-rental programs. University officials would be required to report their progress to the board each year.
If approved, the vote represents an unprecedented effort on the board's part to get a handle on textbook prices.
Permalink [Filed under: Education]
Posted by Editor at 07:30 AM
Judge upholds state's school voucher programsPHOENIX - A judge on Wednesday upheld two new state voucher programs to provide money to send foster and disabled children to private schools.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Judiciary]Challengers contended that the programs enacted by the Legislature last year violate state constitutional prohibitions against public funding for private and religious schools and undermined the state's public school system by diverting needed money.
However, Judge Bethany Hicks of Maricopa County Superior Court agreed with defenders of the voucher programs, ruling that the grants to parents aren't appropriations of state money for religious worship or instruction and are not for the support of any religious organization.
Posted by Editor at 12:42 AM
Charter-transfer bill OK'd; no effect in TUSDPHOENIX — Lawmakers passed a scaled-down version of a bill Wednesday originally aimed at the Tucson Unified School District and others that operate outside the scope of Arizona's open-enrollment laws.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature, Tucson]While the bill faced mild opposition from school districts, its real impact may be limited if it is signed into law.
HB 2119, sponsored by state Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, says districts under agreements with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to monitor racial discrimination cannot deter students from attending charter schools.
Posted by Editor at 12:36 AM
Most districts’ budgets still mysteriesWith just three weeks to go until the new fiscal year, most taxpayers have yet to hear how much they’ll be paying to support East Valley classrooms. School taxes are typically the largest portion of a homeowner’s tax bill. Public education eats up 46 percent of the state budget.Permalink [Filed under: Budget, Education]Yet most school districts wait until the end of June to make their proposed budgets public — giving residents just two weeks to offer input on how their tax dollars will be spent to educate children.
“Some (districts) are very guarded with that information. Others put it up on Web sites and they encourage public participation,” said Kevin McCarthy, president of the Arizona Tax Research Association. “Every local government is different in terms of how they deliberate the budget — how much of that is public. How much is private.”
Posted by Editor at 12:42 AM
Grants put scrutiny on Congressman PastorAn Arizona congressman steered more than $1 million in federal grants to a Maricopa Community Colleges scholarship program four months after his daughter was hired as one of its directors.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Pastor]Rep. Ed Pastor had secured a similar grant several years earlier for the colleges' program, which gives at-risk high school students a chance to get a college degree. But the amount per year increased substantially after his daughter got the job in 2005.
The lawmaker, who has been credited with making the scholarship program a success, says it is a coincidence that his daughter sought the job at the same time he secured a large federal grant for the program.
His daughter, Laura Pastor, is now touting her leadership of the scholarship program in her bid for a Phoenix City Council seat this year.
Posted by Editor at 07:13 AM
State GOP pushes college savings tax cutRepublican lawmakers in Arizona are pushing for a $10 million tax cut they believe will persuade parents to save money for their children’s education as college tuition continues to soar.Permalink [Filed under: Education, Legislature, Republicans, Taxes]If the plan succeeds, individual taxpayers could invest up to $2,500 and couples up to $5,000 every year in a program in which earnings on education funds are tax free and the investment is tax deductible.
The plan is aimed at helping working parents such as Stacey Hemeyer and her husband, Erik. The Mesa couple can pay the bills and put food on the table, but can’t afford to send their three children to college.
Posted by Editor at 09:26 PM
Arizona ranked second lowest in per-student spendingArizona spends less educating its kids than any other state in the union except for Utah, even falling well behind other Southwest border states, according to new Census Bureau figures.Permalink [Filed under: Education]In 2005, Arizona averaged $6,261 for each K-12 student, $2,400 less than the country's average. Texas spent $7,267 per student while New Mexico spent $7,580. Utah was the lowest, with $5,257.
The comparisons include money spent on schools from state general funds, local property taxes and the federal government.
Posted by Editor at 07:15 AM
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