FAQs

Expect More Arizona is a statewide movement dedicated to making Arizona education the best in the nation.  We are working to create a culture that values education as our state’s top priority.  We champion high expectations and high quality education for all Arizona children and students, from birth through career.

Expect More Arizona is a movement for everyone including parents, teachers, students, business leaders, policymakers and concerned citizens because a strong education system increases the options and opportunities available to our students and our state.  Expect More Arizona is led by a statewide, nonpartisan collaboration of individuals and organization that believe expectations must be higher for education in our state in order to ensure all Arizona students graduate prepared to succeed in college and career.  In addition to our Board and Advisory Board, we also have a Statewide Advisory Council and Other Partners who share our commitment to making Arizona education the best in the nation – from birth through career.

Expect More Arizona’s goal is to create a culture across Arizona that fully embraces the critical importance of high expectations and high quality education for all Arizona children and students. By inspiring a high expectations movement we believe that education will become Arizona’s top priority, opening the door to opportunities for our state as well as improve the overall quality of life for all Arizonans. As a result, we strive to:

• Promote a shared vision for what education can and should be in our state;
• Increase public awareness about the importance of higher expectations and improving our education system;
• Deepen public understanding about the issues and opportunities affecting education and their impact on our economy and quality of life; and
• Inspire shared ownership and engagement in making Arizona education the best in the nation.

Arizona’s students are falling behind their national and international peers in academic achievement, high school graduation rates and postsecondary degree attainment.  Currently, half of Arizona students don’t qualify to enroll in our state’s universities and of those who do, more than 30% require remedial courses.  The quality of Arizona’s education system and the preparedness of our students for college and career impact our economic prosperity and overall quality of life.  Arizona risks closing the door on opportunities for our state and our students if we don’t all make education our top priority.

Expect More Arizona’s vision is that all Arizona students graduate prepared to succeed in college and career.  Our movement will have succeeded when Arizona’s education system is recognized as a national model of excellence because expectations are high and the following has been achieved:

• Children are entering kindergarten prepared to succeed
• Teachers and Administrators are of the highest quality
• Curriculum taught at all levels is rigorous and relevant
• Students are self-motivated and high performing
• Parents and communities are highly engaged
• Funding is invested strategically and aligned with expectations
• Standards are high with great accountability
• A postsecondary-promoting culture for all students is prevalent
• Community leaders and policymakers are unwavering advocates for education

Expect More Arizona doesn’t have a specific agenda it is trying to influence other than to create a high expectations culture where every Arizona student receives the highest quality education and graduates college and career ready.  We will be vocal champions for higher expectations and support the following bar-raising principles:

• A post-secondary going culture
• Higher academic standards
• Greater rigor and relevance in curriculum
• College and career-ready assessments
• Multiple pathways to postsecondary education

As a statewide, nonpartisan collaborative of philanthropic, education, business and nonprofit organizations, Expect More Arizona has an Oversight Board which provides strategic and fiscal oversight to our movement activities.    The Arizona Community Foundation is the fiscal agent for the partnership. The current Board Chair is Paul Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation.

Expect More Arizona’s ability to build a powerful high expectations movement across Arizona depends on people like you.  There are many ways to help improve education, but the first and most important step is to join the Expect More Arizona movement.  Once you have signed up, then visit our DO MORE section for a variety of ways that you can help advance the movement and improve education in our state including volunteering, investing, advocating and voting.

For busy people, sometimes a financial investment is the best way to make a difference.  Through our web site, you can support Expect More Arizona or through our partnership with Donors Choose, you can help a teacher and students in Arizona classrooms.  Click here to learn more.

If you are interested in partnering in the Expect More Arizona movement, please contact:  Donna Davis at 602.682.2093 or Donna@ExpectMoreArizona.org.

If you are a member of the media and would like additional information or schedule an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:  Jeff@ExpectMoreArizona.org.