Arizona Education Network

On Tuesday, March 29 the Arizona Commerce Authority held a board meeting open to the public where members expressed concerns that the state of public education in Arizona is compromising Arizona’s ability to attract new businesses that bring high-paying jobs to the state.

. . On Tuesday, March 22, 2011, the Arizona Republic published a statement from Governor Brewer regarding the Senate budget proposal now moving through the House.  See “Budget cuts shouldn’t devastate state priorities“. Governor Brewer asserted her budget proposal submitted in January was a restrained and reasonable approach to balancing the state’s finances, while holding as closely as  Continue Reading >

. . On Wednesday, March 23, university students will rally at campuses across the state to protest the proposed $235 million cut to higher education in the proposed Senate budget now moving through the Arizona House.  For more details or to learn how to get involved, visit the Arizona Students’ Association website. . Campus schedule for rallies: .  Continue Reading >

Each year the Arizona Auditor General releases a report on classroom spending. “Classroom spending” is defined by the Auditor General’s Report as: Classroom personnel—Salaries and benefits for teachers, teachers’ aides, substitute teachers, graders, and guest lecturers. General instructional supplies—Paper, pencils, crayons, instructional aids, etc. Textbooks, workbooks, software, films, etc. Activities—Field trips, athletics, and co-curricular activities  Continue Reading >

ASU President Michael M. Crow released a statement today detailing how the extensive cuts passed by the Senate would weaken Arizona State University.   The information in the statement shows exactly how dire these cuts will be to higher education in Arizona.  There is little doubt that cuts of this magnitude will have an adverse impact on the economic recovery  Continue Reading >

. . Overview of Events at the Arizona Senate Shortly after 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, the Arizona Senate voted to suspend rules and consider a budget proposed by the Senate majority party. Bypassing established rules, all thirteen budget related bills that impact education, vital health and human service agencies, as well as  Continue Reading >

It is time to take education funding out of the hands of ideologues in the Arizona Legislature. . These ideologues wrap themselves in the flag of anti-government rhetoric while systemically shredding the values symbolized by our great flag of the United States of America:  A democracy dedicated to educating its people and thereby promising equal  Continue Reading >

On Tuesday, March 15, 2011, the Arizona Senate voted to suspend rules for the consideration of the Senate’s budget package.

he Arizona Auditor General released its annual report on Arizona School District Spending Fiscal Year 2010 to the public on March 1, 2011. The major conclusions of the report are:

* Arizona’s per-pupil spending continues to trail the national average by nearly $2,500 (using AZ & US 2008 fiscal years for exact comparison).
* Arizona districts spent 55.9 percent of their available operating dollars on classroom instruction – a record low and about 5 percent less than the 60.8 percent national average.
* Arizona spent a higher percentage on student support than the national average.
* Arizona spent a lower percentage on administration – 9.5 percent (AZ) vs. 10.8 percent (US).