Mixed Results for Arizona in Education Week’s Annual Rankings
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Education Week has recently released its annual Report Card on American public education, and it shows mixed results for Arizona. While Arizona scored at the top for Standards, Assessments and Accountablity [A- (89.8)], it finished near the bottom for school financing [D+ (66.8)]. Looking at the breakouts for school financing it is interesting to note that Arizona’s Equity score is 85.9 (B) while it’s Spending score is a dismal 47.8 (F).
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It’s important to note that this report was drafted before the recent economic downturn. The report notes that, “…most of the indicators on which this year’s school finance and Chance for Success grades were based lag behind the current state of the economy, both nationally and regionally…”
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Here is a breakdown of Arizona scores in the six categories examined by Education Week.
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Arizona Overall Score: C- (70.8)
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Chance for Success: C- (70.9)
- Early foundations: C (74.0)
- School years: D (65.7)
- Adult outcomes: C+ (76.9)
K-12 Achievement: D (62.6)
- Status: F (49.8)
- Changes: D+ (67.0)
- Equity: C+ (77.6)
School Finance: D+ (66.8)
- Equity B (85.9)
- Spending F (47.8)
Standards, Assessments & Accountability: A- (89.8)
- Standards: B+ (89.3)
- Assessments: B- (80.0)
- School Accountability A (100.0)
Transitions & Alignment: C- (71.4)
- Early Childhood education: C- (70.0)
- College readiness: D- (60.0)
- Economy & workforce: B+ (87.5)
The Teaching Profession: D (63.4)
- Accountability for Quality: D (64.7)
- Incentive & allocation: D (65.4)
- Building & supporting capacity: D- (60.0)
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For the full report and explanation of the methods used in compiling this report, see the link below.
State of the States: Holding All States to High Standards: Fifty-State Report Card Finds Progress, Challenges, Education Week, January 14, 2010
State Report Cards, Education Week, January 14, 2010
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