Category: Press Releases

Governor’s proclamation recognizes contributions of Arizona charters to public education

Phoenix (May 7, 2018) – In a record-breaking year that saw national charter public school enrollment surpass 3.2 million students for the first time, Arizona is proud to join students, families, educators and advocates across the country in celebrating National Charter Schools Week.

Arizona’s public charter schools, which now serve a record 185,900 students across 556 schools, exemplify Arizona’s commitment to providing and expanding high-quality education options for families in every corner of the state.

In accordance with the national event – and in recognition of the vital and growing role of Arizona charter schools in improving public education – Gov. Doug Ducey has proclaimed May 7-11 Arizona Charter Schools Week.

Arizona Charter Schools Association President & CEO Eileen Sigmund released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2019 budget:

“This is a great day for Arizona schools. The Arizona Charter Schools Association applauds this state budget deal that makes vital investments in Arizona’s public schools, students and teachers.

“Specifically, we are grateful for the inclusion of the Governor’s plan to give Arizona’s teachers a 20 percent pay increase by 2020, while making a commitment to fully restore most recession-era K-12 cuts over the next five years. This funding not only will help schools recruit and retain the best teachers – it also will provide hundreds of millions of new dollars to Arizona schools for critical needs like infrastructure, updated curriculum and technology, classroom supplies, school buses and more.

As the Arizona teacher walkout approaches its fourth consecutive day, we wanted to alert you to some interesting news: the overwhelming majority of Arizona charter-school teachers and students were in class Monday!

It’s true – an Association survey of our members revealed 92 percent of charter schools across the state were in session Monday. Informally, we know that many charter schools have remained open throughout the walkout – a stark contrast to district schools, nearly all of which have been closed since Thursday. Why such a disparity between district and charter schools when it comes to the walkout? That’s impossible to know. But we applaud Arizona charter administrators for fostering an environment in which teachers want to be where their students need them most: in the classroom.

Below is a statement in support of Governor Ducey’s teacher pay proposal from Eileen B. Sigmund, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association.

“Governor Ducey’s plan to grant Arizona teachers a 20 percent pay increase by 2020 is a home run. This is exactly the kind of leadership Arizona needs at a time when our schools are telling us about their difficulties recruiting and retaining the best teachers.

“On behalf of the Arizona Charter Schools Association and the more than 550 public charter schools educating 185,000 students across our state, we urge legislators to move quickly in supporting Governor Ducey’s proposal.”

Find out more about the proposal here.

The scores released today from the National Assessment for Educational Progress show charter students significantly outperforming district and private school peers across the state.

The results show significant gains over the last eight years, with public charter students outperforming their district and private school peers in every grade level and on every subject tested. This trend is most evident in the scores for eighth-grade reading and math. When separated and measured as if they were their own state, Arizona charter students rank first in the nation in eighth-grade math, and second for eighth-grade reading.

“These results reinforce what thousands of Arizona parents, families, educators and school choice champions have known for years: when it comes to academic performance, Arizona’s public charter school students are setting the pace,” said Eileen B. Sigmund, Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the Nations Report Card, is the only national look at academic achievement across states.

“While there will always be room for improvement when it comes to educating our students, these NAEP scores are further validation that Arizona charter schools are raising the bar and improving public education statewide,” said Sigmund.

Statement from Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO Eileen Sigmund:

“The Arizona Charter Schools Association commends the legislature for its bipartisan passage of legislation that will extend the Prop. 301 education-funding sales tax passed by Arizona voters in 2000.

“The 20-year extension of Prop 301, which otherwise would have expired in June 2021, cements into statute a vital funding stream that drives more than $640 million into public education every year – with the lion’s share going directly into Arizona K-12 schools to support teachers’ salaries and classroom operations.

“The overwhelming approval of this legislation by both parties is an encouraging example of what’s possible when our state’s leaders work together to find solutions and prioritize what matters. We thank bill sponsors Rep. Coleman and Sen. Brophy-McGee, as well as Speaker Mesnard and President Yarbrough, for championing this important effort in the legislature. We’re also grateful to Gov. Ducey for his support and leadership on this issue, and to all of the lawmakers who voted to protect and secure critical dollars for Arizona schools, teachers and students.”

Statement from Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO Eileen Sigmund:

“Every Arizona student has a right to feel safe in school. That’s why we commend Governor Doug Ducey for his leadership in tackling this difficult but urgent issue.

“The Governor’s school-safety plan would increase investments in mental and behavioral-health resources; create a central tip line for potential threats; improve background checks; increase law enforcement presence on school grounds; and create a new tool to help keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous or disturbed individuals.

“We look forward to learning more details as this package of legislation is introduced, but the Governor’s plan represents a thoughtful, significant step forward to improve school safety.

“On behalf of the approximately 550 public charter schools serving 185,000 students across Arizona, the Arizona Charter Schools Association stands ready to work with Governor Ducey, members of his staff and legislators to address this important issue.”

Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO Eileen B. Sigmund issued the following statement in response to the mid-year closure of Discovery Creemos Academy, formerly Bradley Academy of Excellence:

“On behalf of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, we are aghast at the reprehensible behavior exhibited by the administrator of Discovery Creemos Academy, formerly Bradley Academy of Excellence. It is unthinkable to close a school mid-year with no warning to parents and families. Similarly, it is unacceptable to subject students to the poor academic conditions illustrated by the Academy’s most recent AzMERIT assessment score, released in September 2017.

“The actions of Discovery Creemos Academy are not reflective of the approximately 550 public charter schools across Arizona and the 185,000 students they serve. The teachers, administrators and staff members of these schools are dedicated to providing their students the best possible education every day.

“This fact, of course, is cold comfort to those suddenly locked out of the classroom due to the reckless decisions of a single school operator. The Arizona Charter Schools Association pledges to assist wherever possible so that these teachers and students can find new schools quickly and complete the 2017-18 school year with a minimum of disruption.”

Eileen B. Sigmund, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, released the following statement in response to Governor Ducey’s Executive Budget:

“Today, Governor Ducey released a budget proposal that reflects his commitment to K-12 education and makes crucial investments in Arizona schools, teachers and students.

“As he had promised, public education receives the lion’s share of new dollars in the Governor’s spending plan; K-12 schools would see a welcome infusion of $400 million in the coming year. That includes much needed additional resources for capital, teacher pay and other school needs.

“As Governor Ducey said earlier this week ‘we’ll never check the box on public education.’ We agree – but this spending plan takes a positive, meaningful and sustainable step toward ensuring Arizona schools and teachers have the support they need to succeed for Arizona students.

“On behalf of the Arizona Charter Schools Association, we thank Governor Ducey for his continued attention to K-12 education and building a strong coalition. As the budget process moves forward, we pledge to work with the Governor and legislators to ensure our state delivers a winning plan for Arizona students and families.”

Governor’s State of the State Address Highlights Student Success, Promises to Maintain and Restore Funding

“Governor Ducey is right: Arizona public schools are improving. Students across our state are making significant gains in academic performance, and we are seeing real progress closing the achievement gap among students of color. I’m proud the 185,000 Arizona students attending public charter schools are setting the pace in achievement. Charter students of every racial and ethnic group have outperformed the state average for each of the past three years.

“We commend the Governor for his commitment to restore K-12 education funding and maintain investments in targeted programs, which provide stability to all of our public schools.

“As budget discussions move forward, we stand ready to assist Governor Ducey and legislators in our shared mission to bring a quality education to every Arizona student. Let’s get to work!”

-Eileen B. Sigmund, President and CEO of Arizona Charter Schools Association