Big Idea
- January 24-30, 2021 is Arizona School Choice Week
- Governor Ducey’s Executive Budget invests $10 million to expand transportation solutions
- Arizona has celebrated charter school success for nearly three decades
- Arizona is the only state in the nation to receive an ‘A’ grade for charter school law
- Read more...
It's the Annual Arizona School Choice Week
PHOENIX — Governor Doug Ducey declared this week, January 24-30, 2021, Arizona School Choice Week to recognize the importance of ensuring families and students have access to learning options that best fit their unique needs.
"Parents, teachers and education champions across the state have worked hard to make Arizona a leader in school choice," said Governor Ducey. "Parents and families know the learning opportunities that will best fit their kids' needs, and there are a wide range of options throughout the state. My thanks to all the education professionals, community leaders and families putting kids first and ensuring they have access to an education that will put them on the path to success."
Governor Ducey’s Executive Budget, released earlier this month, invests $10 million to expand transportation solutions so students can access schools that are right for them, and to provide resources that inform families about alternative education options.
The state has celebrated charter school success for nearly three decades. According to the Arizona Charter Schools Association, more than 213,000 Arizona students are enrolled in charter schools, making up nearly 20 percent of the state’s public school enrollment. Arizona’s more than 550 public charter schools make up approximately 28 percent of the state’s total schools.
Arizona was the only state in the nation to receive an ‘A’ grade for charter school law in the Center For Education Reform’s 2020 report. Arizona was recognized for charter authorization, growth, and operations policy in the report.
Arizona also offers Open Enrollment for its public school districts. Open Enrollment allows students to apply for admission to any public school depending on available classroom space. Additionally, Education Scholarship Accounts offers students a wide range of educational services outside home-based education, tutoring and educational therapies. Students eligible for these services include students living on tribal lands, those with special needs, children of military families and those in failing schools.
View a PDF of the Arizona School Choice Week proclamation HERE.
WHEREAS, every student in Arizona should have access to an effective education; and
WHEREAS, citizens across Arizona agree that continuing to improve the quality of education is an issue of importance to our state’s leaders; and
WHEREAS, Arizona recognizes the essential role that an effective and accountable system of education plays in preparing all children to be successful adults; and
WHEREAS, Arizona has been a national leader in fostering education options for families, including implementing open enrollment, Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), or School Tuition Organization (STO) scholarships; and
WHEREAS, Arizona’s charter schools, educational choice programs, innovations in digital learning and policy environment have the state ranked number 1 in the latest “Parent Power” Index; and
WHEREAS, Arizona has celebrated over 25 years of success through public charter school education, with over 500 public charter schools and more than 200,000 students enrolled, which make up approximately 18 percent of Arizona’s public school enrollment; and
WHEREAS, research demonstrates that providing children with multiple education options improves academic performance; and
WHEREAS, School Choice Week is a national celebration recognized by millions of students, parents, educators, schools, and community leaders to raise public awareness of the importance of effective education options for children.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim January 24 - 30, 2021, as
ARIZONA SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK
and call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona
GOVERNOR
DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this fifth day of December in the year Two Thousand and Twenty and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Forty-Fifth
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
