Category: Press Releases

Phoenix (Jan. 9, 2020) – Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO Jake Logan released the following statement in response to Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Budget:

“Governor Ducey’s budget plan for FY2021 proposes thoughtful and worthy investments in K-12 public education that will make a difference for schoolchildren across Arizona. On behalf of the almost 560 public charter schools educating over 200,000 students statewide, the Arizona Charter Schools Association applauds the Governor for his continued efforts to close the achievement gap, reward excellence and improve academic performance across our state.

Non-partisan think-tank supports Association’s efforts to improve educational opportunity, achievement for Arizona students

Phoenix (Jan. 9, 2020) – The Arizona Charter Schools Association is proud to announce the hiring of Matthew Ladner, who will lead the Arizona Center for Student Opportunity – a new non-partisan think tank devoted to provide accurate information about the positive impact charter schools are having on Arizona students. Ladner brings almost 25 years of charter school and education policy experience, with much of his research focusing on how demographic and social shifts affect Arizona’s education system.

“Matt’s extensive knowledge of charter schools, education reform and demographics will prove to be an invaluable resource for the Arizona Charter Schools Association as we continue to work towards ensuring that every child has access to a quality school,” said Jake Logan, president and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association. “We’re honored to have one of the leading voices of the charter school movement joining our team. Combined with our existing world class research team, the Arizona Center for Student Opportunity will be a huge value add for public education in Arizona.”

Arizona public schools educate more than a half-million Latino students, a large and fast-growing segment that is already the state’s largest and will someday soon represent a majority of all K-12 enrollment. The same holds true with increasing Latino enrollment in Arizona public charter schools.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association has released the latest version of its Education Evaluator, which is a public school map that provides an easy, transparent way to research and compare schools across the state. Users can view school enrollment information, student achievement data and school specific information for all of Arizona’s public schools – district and charter.

The Education Evaluator includes the following data on each public school:

More than 2 out of 3 public charter schools in Arizona that received a letter grade has earned an “A” or “B,” according to a preliminary set of new scores for 2018-19 released by the Arizona Department of Education, at the direction of the State Board of Education. The results include the academic performance of traditional, hybrid and alternative charter schools and district schools.

“These letter grades are the latest proof that Arizona public charter schools are raising academic achievement for students from all backgrounds – particularly those from low-income and underserved communities,” said Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO Jake Logan. “These results are a testament not only to the hard work of our teachers, administrators and students, but also to the hundreds of thousands of Arizona families who’ve embraced and promoted parental choice in education over the last 25 years. Their support has allowed public charter schools to grow, thrive, innovate and offer more high-quality education options to families across our state.”

The Arizona Charter Schools Association on Thursday celebrated a quarter-century of charter schools and educational choice with its 25th Anniversary Gala at the Arizona Biltmore.

The Association was honored to welcome as its keynote speaker tennis legend Andre Agassi, a longtime philanthropist and charter champion who has dedicated nearly two decades to expanding educational opportunities for kids and families across the country – particularly in low-income and underserved communities.

Agassi joined Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman to help celebrate the achievements and contributions of Arizona’s public charter schools.

The Arizona Charter Schools Association is proud to commemorate the 25th anniversary of charter schools with a series of blogs examining how charter schools have influenced the state’s education landscape.

Students in Arizona charter schools score higher on state achievement tests than district students. In fact, they score better in pretty much all grade levels and every demographic and programmatic category for which scores are published and have done so for several years.

Charter school critics often dismiss the results by claiming charters skim the “cream of the crop.” These critics imply charter schools somehow choose their students or, alternatively, only attract high-performing students.

This fall, Arizona celebrates its 25th anniversary of public charter schools and a movement built on a simple concept: Parents know best when it comes to choosing the right school for their children.

In 1994, Arizona became just the second state in the nation to enact a charter school law. The following year, in 1995, 67 public charter schools opened with a combined enrollment of fewer than 8,000 students.

A quarter-century later, more than 200,000 Arizona students return to class this fall at one of approximately 550 public charter schools across the state. The students are as unique and diverse as the schools they attend. Arizona charter schools educate a majority-minority enrollment, with 56% of charter students identifying as non-White.

Here is a statement from Jake Logan, President & CEO, Arizona Charter Schools Association:

“We congratulate Governor Ducey, House Speaker Bowers, Senate President Fann and legislators for their completion of the Fiscal 2020 State budget and adjournment of the regular session. The Governor and policymakers prioritized K-12 education, which will benefit Arizona teachers and students. We look forward to continuing to work with our elected officials on behalf of Arizona students and families. Thank you Governor Ducey, all 90 legislators, and their staff for their tireless work for our state!”