Superintendent releases 2018 AZ Kids Can’t Wait! education plan

Arizona department of education

PHOENIX – Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas today released her 2018 AZ Kids Can’t Wait! education plan, which presents a comprehensive vision for improving education in Arizona.

“I am very excited to share this updated version of my AZ Kids Can’t Wait! plan with Arizonans,” Superintendent Douglas said. “The plan represents and reflects how the people of Arizona believe we can make our schools the best in the nation. I am extremely proud of everyone throughout the state who contributed to making this plan a reality.”

Based on feedback gathered during the Superintendent’s 2017 We Are Listening Tour, the 2017 plan includes new proposals, accomplishments from last year’s plan and progress updates for several ongoing initiatives.

In order to provide teacher raises and funds for repairs and improvement to school facilities, one of the highlights of the plan includes the proposal to extend and expand Prop 301 to a full one cent. In addition, the plan outlines the continued roll out of the Arizona Broadband for Education Initiative and Zip Code Project, as well as the addition of the Read20 initiative to encourage early literacy.

Feedback provided by attendees of the We Are Listening Tour, as well as through other methods at the department, were collected and analyzed throughout the duration of the tour. The predominant concern on the minds of Arizona citizens was to increase the amount of education funding, especially for teacher salaries and capital improvement.

“It is apparent that Arizona needs new and bolstered revenue streams to help support and sustain our education system,” Superintendent Douglas stated. “If we intend to fulfill our promise to Arizona children and give them the best education in the nation, we must all band together and make that a reality. I will partner with education stakeholders, Governor Ducey and the Legislature to make sure that the people of Arizona’s voices are heard.”

The 2018 AZ Kids Can’t Wait! plan is online and available at http://www.azed.gov/beheardaz