As Arizonans, we want our state to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. As parents, we want our children to have every option and opportunity and be self sufficient when they reach adulthood. This requires a strong education system that effectively prepares our students for success in postsecondary education and entry into the workforce.
However, too many of our students are falling behind their national and international peers in academic performance, high school graduation rates and postsecondary degree attainment.
Consider This, Currently in Arizona:
- 75% of 3rd graders are below proficient in reading
- 71% 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 Graduates require remedial education upon entry to college
And the gap is only widening between the preparedness of our graduates, and the skills and knowledge employers require. Although incremental change in student preparedness will deliver powerful results for our students and our state, we need transformational change that opens the door to opportunities and ensures a highly skilled workforce far into the future.
Whether your child is in a cradle or a classroom, now is the time for you to get involved in ensuring your child is receiving the highest quality education. Now, it’s more critical than ever to expect more of our own education system and the results it delivers.
