We want the best future for our students. In today’s world, that means that our students must be able to compete with the best across the nation and around the world. We need to raise the bar for Arizona’s educational rigor and attainment. We know that 85% of quality jobs in Arizona will require some form of post-secondary education (advanced professional training, associate’s or bachelor’s degree), yet only 38% of our young adults have attained this. High school can no longer be the finish line if we want our students to have the greatest options and opportunities in life. Let’s set a new goal together: All Arizona’s students will graduate high school ready and able to attain a post-secondary education.
While there are many bright spots, we haven’t made enough progress at a systemic level. Today, Arizona’s students are falling behind their national and international peers in academic achievement, high school graduation rates and postsecondary degree attainment:
16 Out of 100
The number of 9th graders who graduate from high school
on time, go to college, and graduate within 6 years.
Currently in Arizona:
- 74% of 4th graders are below proficient in reading
- 69% of 8th graders are below proficient in math
- 30% of high school students don’t graduate
- 50% of graduates don’t qualify to enroll in Arizona’s public universities
- 30% of Arizona graduates require remediation upon entry into college
(Sources)
We know that we can do better.
Ensuring every Arizona student has access to the highest quality education – from birth through career – will take all of us. We must expect more of Arizona’s parents, to make sure our students are learning in the home, from the earliest years on. We must expect more of our students, so they understand their education and future success is in their hands. We must expect more of our schools, where educators must constantly strive to improve their practice. We must expect more of our community and business leaders, our elected leaders, and our communities across the state, understanding that higher expectations for education will lead to a stronger Arizona and quality of life for us all.
It’s up to all of us to raise the bar, expecting more from ourselves and taking ownership for the role we can each play. It begins with understanding where we are, so we can envision where we need to go. Sign up at the top of this page to join Expect More Arizona in the movement to make Arizona education the best in the nation.
