Demographic changes will continue in Arizona

Arizona State University painted a picture of Arizona's evolving demographics and how it relates to the role education plays in advancing opportunities for Arizona's residents. Currently, one-fifth of Arizona's population is living in poverty and experiencing declining household income.

Access ASU partners with local high school districts to increase the number of Arizona's students prepared to enroll and succeed at ASU. Students and families participate in campus visits and programs that teach families how to navigate the educational process and take an active role in their children's educational success. 

Understanding the labyrinth of Arizona school funding

Brian Mee, Pendergast Elementary School District chief financial officer, helps new board members understand school funding and the laws associated with them. Board members learned how to help districts maintain accountability. Mee shared that Arizona's base formula is one of the most equitable in the country. Additionally they became familiar with the state budget, and learned that education funding had been reduced by $1 billion since 2008.

No way! Arizona education funding among lowest in the nation

ASBA members weren't surprised to hear that Arizona's funding for education continues to be near the lowest in the nation, though they DID chuckle to learn that it was one of the fairest in existence. "We have a very equitable system," said Chris Thomas, ASBA General Counsel and Director of Legal and Policy Services. "They're not adequately funded, but they're equitable."

Education = innovation

Extraordinary education starts with innovation! The teachers your kids talk about, remember and learn the most from are the ones that let their students innovate! This session was all about what it takes to create that type of classroom.

JTEDs at a crossroad

Tina Norton, of the Pima County JTED and the Association for Career Technical Education of Arizona, said Career & Technical Education in Arizona is at a crossroads due to planned $30 million in cuts next school year.
CTE in Arizona provides skills and training to help students move into future career paths in fields that need skilled workers.

JTED is the funding mechanism for CTE in Arizona, she said. Ten percent of CTE students attend on central campuses, with the remainder at satellite programs.

The planned cuts for 16-17 would put CTE funding at its lowest since the 1990s, though enrollment in CTE classes is at its highest, she said. The planned cuts came about due to the myth that JTED students receive double funding, Norton said.
But in fact, programs do not receive  funding for freshmen taking classes and though some students take more than one CTE class, funding is only provided for one class. Overall, though there are 138k students in CTE, funding is only provided for half of those.

Good CTE programs require additional funds for equipment and training for skills needed for certification.

Supporters can learn more at iamcte.org.

It takes a village to support new teachers

Teri Thomsen of Tolleson Union High School District shares how the New Hire Academy support new teachers. New Hire Academy sessions are designed to address where am I and who are you, where do I fit in, how will I succeed, and how will I be supported. 

Understanding 'Gen Z'

Generation Z, (born 1995-2012), is the first to grow up with social media and technology, engaging in platforms that cater to their short attention span, and sharing in the entrepreneurial spirit of millennial innovators. 

Rod Ambrose, Prevention Education Coordinator for Roosevelt Elementary District said Gen Z has different beliefs, learns differently, and thinks more globally than other generations, so educators need to create avenues to support student learning, understanding these kids learn by experience and involvement, rather then being told or shown what to learn.