Category: Association Blog

Arizona is the largest recipient of Impact Aid, which is federal money available for charter schools on or near federal or tribal lands, as well as schools that have parents employed by the federal government.

With a looming government shutdown, Impact Aid could be affected. Arizona has an Arizona State Impact Aid Association nonprofit to provide leadership, advocacy and a united voice. Based on information from the Arizona State Impact Aid Association, 79 district and charter schools receive the federal money, totaling $221,031,427 in 2012.

In a few weeks, Governor Doug Ducey’s Classrooms First Initiative Council will take the first, small step towards creating an equitable, efficient state school finance system that benefits all of our students.

The Council will reveal its preliminary recommendations for overhauling Arizona’s K-12 finance system on Sept. 22 after spending this summer exploring various aspects of school finance and meeting with consultants and advisors, including the Arizona Charter Schools Association and Center for Student Achievement.

Our 2015 Charter Awards will recognize the accomplishments of our exceptionally skilled and dedicated K-12 charter teachers, leaders and schools.

These educators and schools are responsible for overseeing substantial academic improvement at their schools, establishing sustainable business practices, designing highly ambitious goals for their schools, and showing valid achievement and growth data.

The awards are divided into four categories: School of the Year, Transformational Leader of the Year, Business Leader of the Year and Teacher of the Year.

We will honor award winners on Oct. 28 at our Charter Awards Celebration at the Hotel Palomar in downtown Phoenix.

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Association President Says it’s Time to Move Past Outdated Anti-Charter School Arguments

Twenty years ago, Microsoft released Windows ‘95, “The Rachel” haircut was hugely popular and Clueless sparked the youth fashion trend of tall socks and plaid skirts. Clearly, a lot has changed in the world of pop culture over the last two decades. Similarly outdated are the anti-charter school arguments from Apache Junction Superintendent Chad Wilson in his May 31 column in The Arizona Republic.

Superintendent Wilson’s argument is a baseless, tired one made countless times in the 21 years since Arizona introduced charter schools. It also fosters an unproductive debate when it comes to meeting the true needs of Arizona schools, student and families today. In a nutshell, I’ll simply say this: Arizona charter schools are tuition-free and open to all. Our schools serve nearly 160,000 students from every ethnic and socio-economic category and with a multitude of needs, including special education.

Simply put, charter-school teachers and administrators are making minor miracles every day in this state and opening doors to a better future for countless Arizona children. We will never apologize for that, nor stand silent in the face of unwarranted, inaccurate allegations.