2017 Legislative Priorities
The Arizona Education Progress Meter identifies key benchmarks needed to fuel student success
- Teacher pay
- Preschool students in quality child care and preschool
- 3rd Grade reading proficiency
- 8th Grade math proficiency
- Young adults in school or employed
- College going
- Post-secondary attainment of degrees or credentials
Arizona needs improvement on every single benchmark to reach our shared goals. In 2017, AZ Schools Now calls on Governor Ducey and the state legislature to invest additional state resources in public schools to help move the needle on these benchmarks.
To stop draining resources out of public schools, AZ Schools Now expects the following investments in 2017
Preserve
Preserve existing revenue streams by rejecting new or expanded tax cuts or credits to enable future funding availability for public education.
Reform
Reform the private school tax credits so scholarships are targeted only to the low-income students who need them the most.
Progress
Take concrete steps toward a long-term plan for increased school funding that includes an update of Proposition 301 with targeted revenue sources and dedicated new funding to address teacher retention.