Author: fosemckay

Child care is a critical family need, allowing parents to work while keeping childrensafe and supporting their healthy development. But quality child care is expensiveand difficult to find, particularly for low-income parents, who face additionalchallenges affording and finding care while they work.Child care subsidies from the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) can helplow-income families with children younger than age 13 (or older children withspecial needs) pay for child care, yet the current child care system offers subsidiesto only a fraction of eligible families. What if the system were funded so all Arizonafamilies with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG)who meet the other eligibility criteria and want a subsidy receive one?Using the Urban Institute’s Analysis of Transfers, Taxes, and Income Security(ATTIS) microsimulation tool, we estimate that in Arizona, an additional 20,600 families with incomes below 150 percent of FPG whoalready meet the other eligibility rules (e.g., are working or engaged in anotheractivity that qualifies for CCDF help) could receive a subsidy in an averagemonth; approximately 8,100 additional mothers would be able to join the workforcebecause they would get a subsidy; about 51,700 additional children could receive a subsidy in an average month,including those whose parents are already in eligible activities and those whoseparents would join the workforce; and these changes would raise incomes for many affected…

The COVID-19 crisis has been hard on child care providers in Arizona. Child care centers and home-based providers that are currently open have to deal with many health and safety issues. And those who are looking to reopen have many questions about how to do so safely.The AZ Healthy Child Care Helpline is a free service available to child care providers in Arizona to get answers to questions and expert advice on health and safety during COVID-19.602.506.6767, EXT 2 | M-F, 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m.AZ.HealthyChildCare@maricopa.govContact the Helpline by phone or email to talk with a child care health professional about issues like:What to do if a child or staff member tests positive for COVID-19What to do if a child or staff member is showing signs and symptoms of illnessHow to safely conduct daily health checksSetting up classroom space to support physical distancingProper use of cloth face coverings and PPE in child careDeveloping a pandemic planResources to share with staff and familiesFree for Early Care and Education Providers in ArizonaThe AZ Healthy Child Care Helpline is a free service available to all types of licensed or regulated child care providers operating anywhere in Arizona. Home-based providers, group centers, preschools, tribal and military programs that are not already eligible to receive services from Quality First child care health consultants can call…

Voters Share their Priorities for Education, Encourage Candidates & Policymakers to Address Key Education Issues ARIZONA –June 14, 2022 – Arizonans continue to prioritize education and want every school to have great teachers and leaders, according to a recent statewide survey of 500 likely voters.Education Forward Arizona conducted a poll of Arizona voters to better understand voters’ priorities for education. The survey complements and is intended to go deeper on the findings in the Arizona Voters’ Agenda, in coordination with the Center for the Future of Arizona. The survey was conducted May 10-17, 2022 by HighGround Public Affairs on behalf of Education Forward Arizona, a statewide nonprofit and nonpartisan organization.The survey found that, generally, Arizona voters have a sense of pessimism about the state’s overall direction, with 50.6% of Arizona voters saying it is headed in the wrong direction, the highest since the COVID-19 pandemic. When it comes to education specifically, 68% of Arizona voters said it is heading in the wrong direction.“Despite this overall sense of pessimism, voters want something to be done to support education,” said Rich Nickel, President and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “Voters continue to prioritize education and want to see their candidates discussing and taking action on the issues that matter most to improving student outcomes.”As part of the survey, Arizona voters were asked an…

For many years, school funding has been at the forefront of conversations at the state Capitol. Over the past few years, the legislature has added funding to restore cuts from the Great Recession, increased teacher pay and made several one-time investments. Despite these good efforts, a long-term solution that supports early education, K-12 education and postsecondary education and training is still missing. Right now, the legislators are considering multiple proposals that could change how our education system is funded, and some of them could infuse new dollars into our education system. Specifically, they are considering a “grand bargain” that could invest upward of $900 million into the K-12 system, but at the same time may expand school vouchers and leaves out any solution for early education and postsecondary education.   They are also considering a bill (Senate Bill 1269), with little engagement from school leaders, that would change the K-12 funding formula that would result in funding cuts to many school districts, especially those in rural communities like ours.   “Decisions as important as school finance should have stakeholders at the table to get a full 360 view of the situation, problems and possible outcomes,” says Jacqui Clay, Cochise County school superintendent. Rather than focusing on one-time investments, tweaks to the formula and tradeoffs, we need a long-term solution that…

Beginning the Study In my Kindergarten classroom at a local elementary school, the five- and six-year-old children have been investigating rights and responsibilities for over a month using an inquiry-based approach. It started with a social studies unit and an introductory discussion around what it means to be a good leader. Here are some questions the children explored: What is a community? How do you belong to a community? Does every community need a leader? What are characteristics of a good leader? What is participation? Who can participate? Who does this space belong to? Who does our school belong to? Our classroom? How do we use our space? What is a point of view? How many points of view exist? Children came up with a list of ideas of what a good leader should be like and what skills a leader should cultivate and possess. I asked children to name one person that they felt would be a good leader and to explain why they felt this way. The children suggested that the school principal or the United States President were leaders. Children also identified that their close friends were good leaders, too, “because they are always nice to me.” As the discussion continued over the next few days, I decided to guide their thinking from individual to collective. I…

Proposition 208 is dead. While a slim majority of voters wanted to tax high-income earners to increase funding for education, a Superior Court judge ruled the initiative ran afoul of the state’s spending limit for education.Opponents rejoiced. Supporters fumed.Left scratching their heads were the majority of Arizonans who want a better K-12 education system.Arizonans have told us repeatedly that they support more funding for education. For instance, Gallup surveyed about 3,600 Arizonans for the Center for the Future of Arizona in 2020. Respondents ranked education and affordable health care as Arizona’s top priorities.And 73% said we need to spend more money on K-12 public education. That includes majorities of Democrats, independents and Republicans.This tracks with elections in 2000, 2010 and 2016, when voters approved tax increases or an increased distribution from the state land trust fund to support education. Neither idea has a broad coalition behind itThose election proposals shared another trait. They were backed by broad coalitions of teachers, parents and businesses.Proposition 208 did not have such a broad coalition behind it. Neither does Senate Bill 1269, a proposal to drastically change Arizona’s school funding formula that was written behind closed doors, introduced in the Legislature at the last minute and has received little public input. Legislators are neither “deliberating carefully (nor) listening to the public,” as the Helios Foundation’s Paul Luna noted in a recent op-ed.Why does this matter? When Arizonans do not come together to solve…

Expanding Access to Preschool is the Game Changer Arizona Needs Benjamin Franklin is purported to have said that “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” That applies in spades to early childhood educational experiences, when children are building key skills that will set the foundation for their future success.These earliest years might be filled with blocks and paints rather than calculators and notebooks, but they are no less important to a child’s future. These are the years that solidify a child’s love of learning and also lay the groundwork for what they will learn in the coming years. It is also when kids learn to work together, how to follow directions and practice managing their own emotions. Quality Early Learning Matters When children have access to quality preschool, it not only prepares them to be ready to learn in kindergarten and more likely to read on grade level by 3rd grade but pays off in the long run too; children who participate in preschool are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college. Parents and communities benefit as well. When a community has quality early learning opportunities available, parents and caregivers can work or pursue postsecondary education. And by giving children the best possible start to their education, they are more likely to succeed in school…

Recently updates to five of the eight indicators were made to the Arizona Education Progress Meter, the state’s widely accepted framework for P-20 education. The Pandemic’s Effects on P-20 Education The data show that the COVID pandemic has had significant effects on every part of the education continuum, from early education to K-12 and postsecondary education.Notably, new data show a decline in access to quality early learning for Arizona 3- and 4-year-olds from 19% last year to 17% this year, contributing to a three-year downward trend from a high of 24%. The decrease is largely a result of the pandemic when many providers closed or limited capacity and the loss of the federal Preschool Development Grant. Early learning opportunities, such as PreK are important because they give children the opportunity to build their cognitive, social and emotional skills so they are ready to learn in kindergarten and able to read at grade level by the end of third grade. Arizona Education Progress Meter Updates The data also show significant drops in 3rd grade reading (11 percentage points) and 8th grade math (14 percentage points), high school graduation rates (1 percentage point), and post high school enrollment (7 percentage points) because of the pandemic. PreviousNew2030 GoalQuality Early Learning19%17%45%3rd Grade Reading46%35%72%8th Grade Math41%27%69%High School Graduation79%78%90%Post High School Enrollment53%46%70%Data are available for most of the indicators at the state,…

Education Forward Arizona is using its voice to advocate for the funding and policy changes needed to meet the goals in the Arizona Education Progress Meter. Recently, Education Forward Arizona has been supporting federal proposals for universal Pre-K, free community college and to increase the Pell Grant. If implemented, these strategies would drive significant progress towards multiple goals in the Arizona Education Progress Meter.The Pre-K initiative will increase access to quality early learning for Arizona’s 3- and 4-year-olds from families who want it. When children have access to quality early learning, they are better prepared for kindergarten and are more likely to be successful in the early grades. However, quality early learning often costs as much as going to college, which makes it impossible for many families to participate. This proposal would remove financial barriers and increase the number of children in quality settings.On the postsecondary education side, Education Forward Arizona is supporting a proposal for free community college that would open the door to Arizona students who did not think that affording a college degree was possible. Likewise, increasing the Pell Grant would make it possible for more low-income students to afford a postsecondary education. Both of these proposals have the potential to significantly increase the number of Arizonans to complete a postsecondary degree or certificate, which would greatly accelerate progress…

by AzECA, Arizona Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, Expect More Arizonaeducation at all levels has been impacted; in some ways, it’s forever changed. And the students who are most likely to face the longest-term effects are also the youngest.In recently updated data, the Arizona Education Progress Meter showed a decline of 3% in Quality Early Learning over the past two years. Enrollment in quality early learning among Arizona 3- and 4-year-olds now stands at 19%, down from 22% two years ago. Arizona must take quick action to reverse this decrease and ensure all children have a strong start to their education, which is foundational to their future success and Arizona’s ability to meet the goals in the Education Progress Meter.The recent decline in Quality Early Learning is based on two major factors:1. COVID-19 has decimated the childcare industryThree- and 4-year-old children thrive on interpersonal learning and relationships with caring adults who are key to their development. Having both teachers and peers together in a face-to-face setting is a large part of the academic, physical and social-emotional growth that sets these children on their paths to success.When the pandemic struck Arizona last year, early learning programs in communities, homes and churches were shuttered. In fact, within the first two weeks of the pandemic, Arizona’s Quality First program led by First Things First lost more than half of its…