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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.”