The Arizona Charter Schools Association urges the legislature to support Gov. Doug Ducey’s proposed education plan for 2020 as members like what they saw in the proposal, said CEO Jake Logan.
“Education in Arizona does need more resources. We think the governor’s plan is a very thoughtful program and we are encouraging the legislature to support it,” Logan said.
Among the specifics in the plan, Logan pointed to four.
“This is the last year of the teacher pay raise effort –– the governor’s 20 by 20 plan –– which will be very helpful,” Logan said. “We were also glad to see that the governor wants to restore the additional assistance funding, which can be used for a variety of things for both District and Charter schools."
He said the continuation of the results-based funding effort will help all Arizona students.
“The governor’s results-based funding program has had some very positive results for Arizona students. We were excited to see that the governor wants to continue funding for that,” Logan said. “If a school is doing well, they can get additional funding to help them grow and improve."
The governor’s 2020 education plan also includes a new program, known as Project Rocket. The program is aimed at low income, struggling schools. Logan says the additional aid to struggling schools will be tied to a plan to help the schools improve. Logan did not want to discuss specifics of how the program could work at any specific charter school––only that he was happy to see the focus on new resources for them.
“Giving them resources tied to a plan of how they are going to get better makes sense,” Logan said. “Last year Arizona did a demonstration program with some district schools and we were encouraged by the success there. The governor wants to build on that success. I’m optimistic that Project Rocket will be helpful to our students."
He emphasized that a healthy charter school system gives all parents in Arizona, not just wealthy parents, choice when it comes to education.
“At the end of the day, parents have got to find the right fit for how their student is going to learn. By having school choice where parents can send their child to a different district school or to a charter school provides parents those opportunities,” Logan said. “I commend the governor for putting forth a really thoughtful proposal."
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