Successful students ensure Yuma’s success
As our elected legislators make their way to the capitol to manage the state’s budget, public safety, business regulations and so many more issues, the Yuma Education Advocacy Council is looking forward to working with them — and members of our community — to improve education for each of our students.
We know that how well our schools perform links directly to everyone’s quality of life, through increased business development, lower crime rates, less reliance on public assistance, and more, which is why we’re committed to helping our educators succeed.
Since last summer, the Council has been participating in discussions with more than 80 organizations from every corner of the state. As a result, Arizona now has a Roadmap for P-20 Education Funding. The recently released report outlines short, mid and long-term priorities for education funding, to help guide our local school leaders and lawmakers.
Chosen by what areas of improvement would best move the needle for student learning and accomplishment, there are seven short-term priorities which closely align with the 2019 focus areas for the Yuma Education Advocacy Council. Our target priorities include:
• Raising teacher pay and funding professional development opportunities
• Improving access to quality child care
• Increasing investments in community colleges and universities
• Restoring funding for ninthgrade CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs
• Securing more funds for K-12 school building construction and maintenance
• Supporting ways to put more counselors in schools
None of these priorities will be possible without new, dedicated sources of funding for education. Members of the Yuma Education Advocacy Council will be working with lawmakers, city and school leaders, as well as local business heads, to ensure that our educational priorities are on track.
After all, it’s our schools that are preparing the future workforce. For instance, it’s estimated that spending on quality early learning programs can generate a return on investment of seven (7) to ten (10) dollars for every dollar invested. Further along the education pipeline, we know that youth who participate in CTE programs graduate at higher rates, and often graduate from high school with the professional credentials they need to begin work in their chosen field. By helping more youth access quality learning, Yuma residents would benefit — we would see less need for remedial education, better prepared workers, and more.
To accomplish all of the goals in the Arizona Education Progress Meter, we’ll need more than money. We’re encouraging every parent, community member, business owner, and civic leader to question how they can help. Perhaps through volunteering in a classroom, mentoring a young person or donating supplies, everyone can make a difference.
The Yuma Education Advocacy Council is a local collaboration between community leaders and Expect More Arizona to advance a shared vision for education in Yuma and the state. We all believe that every child deserves an excellent education — every step of the way. Together, we will elevate priority education issues to support educators, schools and students in our community and beyond. Find the Council on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YEACAZ/.