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Charter Schools
Score
92%
Grade: A
Rank: #2
Close second to Florida, and home to Arizona Autism Charter Schools, the 2022 Yass Prize winner, this state's charter schools have flourished for years thanks to an incredibly strong law, resulting in exceptional performance over traditional public schools and unbridled learning approaches and options for students. But a hostile Governor looms large and activism is a necessity, particularly because funding gaps need to close.
Fast Facts:
Law passed: 1994
Most recently amended: 2022
Number of charter schools: 635
Number of charter students: 232,000
Cap on the number of schools allowed: No
Virtual charters allowed: Yes
Charter Law Analysis:
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 11 schools.
GROWTH: Arizona does not cap the number of charter schools but authorizers do self-regulate approvals. Continued efforts to stall growth have been unsuccessful in the legislature. Charter growth has increased since 2020, with nearly 21% of all students in the state enrolled in charter schools.
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 about $2,100 less per student than traditional public schools. Facilities funds are not available, but the state strengthened the ability for charters to use available public school facilities and purchase directly from districts.
Choice Programs (Scholarships, Vouchers, Tax Credits, etc.)
Score
95%
Grade: A
Rank: #2
There are five private school choice programs here, providing roughly 170,000 families with the ability to send their children to private schools. Participation in these programs continues to grow, and increasing numbers of Arizona's families – with children with special needs or from low-income households leading the way – are utilizing the opportunity to choose the best school for their children!
Fast Facts:
Law enacted: 1997-2012
Most recently amended: 2022
Number of programs: 5
Statewide participation: 170,000
Types of programs: Education savings account, tax-credit scholarship, parent-taxpayer refundable tax-credits
Choice Laws & Analysis:
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. With its universal eligibility, every family has access if they choose to an ESA. Tax-Credit Scholarship Original Individual Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program The Arizona legislature passed this program in 1997, and it launched in the same year. This tax-credit scholarship program 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. Tax payers 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 school tuition organizations, nonprofits 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 23-24 is $158 million. Education Savings Account
Teacher Quality
USE OF STUDENT DATA IN EVALUATING TEACHER PREP
"Arizona does not mandate the reporting of achievement and growth data for teacher quality, but it encourages programs to provide this information."
This is just one indicator from The National Council on Teacher Quality, which collects and analyzes states on how well their policies and practices lead to well-prepared teachers. They collect data on state laws and regulations concerning the preparation of teachers, the policies that govern their oversight and the contracts that guide their employment. Learn more about your state here.
National Council on Teacher Quality
https://www.nctq.org/yearbook/stateHome/AZ
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