Category: Press Releases

Eileen B. Sigmund, Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO, released a statement today in response to the Senate’s confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education:

“With the Senate’s confirmation of Betsy DeVos as U.S. Secretary of Education, we are sending to Washington a true champion for quality educational options available to every student and family.

“Ms. DeVos is a proven leader who will fight for education reform that works – just as she has done for nearly three decades. That means putting students over special interests, expanding access to high-performing schools, empowering parents and loosening the federal government’s grip on education policy decisions that are better left to local officials.

“The Arizona Charter Schools Association congratulates Betsy DeVos on her confirmation, and looks forward to working with her to ensure every child in this country has access to a quality education.”

Charter schools are public schools that are innovative while still being held accountable for improved student achievement. Charter schools are funded by the state and free to all Arizona students. They vary in mission and model, serving a wide range of students. In the 2016-17 school year, a record 180,000 students attend 547 Arizona charter schools, an increase of nearly 10,000 students – or 5.8 percent – over the 2015-16 school year. That’s about 16 percent of students and 30 percent of public schools. By comparison, year-over-year enrollment in Arizona district schools grew by just 4,000 students – an uptick of less than half a percentage point.

Charter schools were authorized by the Arizona Legislature in 1994, and the first charters opened in 1995. Charter schools were established to give parents academic choices for their children and provide a learning environment to improve student achievement. Read our 20th Anniversary Report here.

The Arizona Republic produced a video explaining the differences between public charter schools and district schools. To view, click here or on the video below.

New data demonstrates Arizona families are choosing charters in greater numbers

Public charter schools are increasingly the preferred choice among Arizona families, according to new 2016-17 student enrollment data.

A record 180,000 students currently attend 547 Arizona charter schools, an increase of nearly 10,000 students – or 5.8 percent – over the 2015-16 school year. By comparison, year-over-year enrollment in Arizona district schools grew by just 4,000 students – an uptick of less than half a percentage point.

“Public charter schools are fundamental to Arizona’s K-12 landscape,” said Eileen Sigmund, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association. “For the last two decades, charters have been changing lives for the better and become a preferred choice for families and students seeking a high-quality public education. The reason is clear: charter schools serve a diverse student population and generate better student outcomes across all demographics.”

Arizona charter school students registered substantial gains on the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress science assessment, and results show charter students significantly outperforming district peers across the state.

For the fourth-grade NAEP exam, scores for Arizona charter students increased an astounding 21 points since the last time the test was given in 2009; scores among eighth-grade charter students increased 18 points.

“Arizona’s charter model continues to set a national example of excellence,” said Eileen B. Sigmund, Arizona Charter Schools Association President and CEO. “Strong science education is vitally important for the future of our country and our economy. These results are a direct response to the excellent teachers and leaders supporting Arizona’s charter students.”

For the sake of comparison, if Arizona charter students were isolated and measured as their own state, their scores on the 2015 NAEP science test would rank among the top states in the country. On the eighth-grade science test, Arizona charter students would rank as the fourth highest-scoring state nationally, trailing only Utah, New Hampshire and Vermont. For fourth-grade science, Arizona charter students would rank eighth in the country.

As a national leader in the charter movement, Arizona has numerous examples of charter success. The Arizona Charter Schools Association is pleased to honor exemplary educators with our 2016 Charter Awards, which annually recognizes the top charter teacher, leader, business manager and school in Arizona. The award winners highlight some of the best of what Arizona’s charter movement has to offer.

“I’m thrilled to recognize these outstanding recipients of the 2016 Charter Awards, which honor the very best of Arizona’s public charter schools,” said Eileen B. Sigmund, President and CEO of the Arizona Charter Schools Association. “What these winners have in common is their innovative approach to education and committed focus to the success of their students.”

Winners and finalists will be honored at a ceremony on November 2 at the Hotel Palomar.