Two advocacy groups update goals for Ariz. education

Third-grade reading and eighth-grade math at top of list

Increasing third-graders’ reading scores and eighth-graders’ math marks should be Arizona’s top education priorities in the coming years, say two education advocacy groups.

Expect More Arizona and the Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) recently released updated goals for Arizona’s educational attainment with reading and math scores at the top of the list.

“When the (goals) were chosen they were based on which (data) are the most indicative of future success,” said Shannon Sowby, public relations for Expect More Arizona, one of the groups supporting the charge.

Expect More Arizona and the CFA issued an online, searchable information database called the Arizona Progress Meter in early 2016 that allows the public to see where the state stands on eight different areas and how far progress needs to be made to attain certain goals, resulting in a supported, shared vision for education in Arizona, Expect More Arizona said in a news release.

The eight indicators are teacher pay, third-grade reading, high school graduation, opportunity youth (those not attending school or working), degree attainment, post-high school enrollment (often referred to in the education world as the “college-going rate”), eighth-grade math scores; and increasing quality early learning for children five and younger.

Reading and math top the list because they are the most used fundamental skills used in nearly every career field, Expect More Arizona and the CFA said in the release.

“Reading is the foundational skill for all future learning,” the education research experts at Expect More Arizona have found, according to the group’s website. “Research shows that a child’s third grade reading level is a pretty strong predictor of how well a student performs in high school, whether or not they graduate, and if they go on to college.”

The ultimate goal is that every child receives an excellent, world-class educa-

tion, every step of the way, Sowby said, no matter their social status, poverty level or ZIP code.

“Our organizations partnered to create this tool because Arizonans believe that education is one of the most important issues facing our state,” said Erin Hart, interim president and CEO of Expect More Arizona. “We must close the achievement gap that leaves so many children behind, while increasing educational attainment overall and preparing Arizona with a highly-skilled workforce.”

“Through many efforts in the region of Yuma County we have come to appreciate the need for the business community’s involvement

with education and progress indicators,” said Julie Engel, president and CEO of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp.

The updated goals for the Education Progress Meter are the result of broad collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, school districts and business groups from around the state. The goal-setting process alone involved the participation of nearly 200 organizations.

“Arizona is primed for change in how we meet the needs of our students and employers,” Engel said. “We can be leaders in this space if we work collaboratively to achieve thoughtful measures that are in the best interest for the future of Arizona.”

“Our organizations partnered to create this tool because Arizonans believe that education is one of the most important issues facing our state.” — Erin Hart, interim president and CEO of Expect More Arizona