A new report assessed the needs of Arizona’s schools and concluded that the state must spend an additional $2 Billion to upgrade its schools.
Arizona ranks 49th in the nation for teachers’ salariesand dead last for per-pupil spending.
“The Grand Canyon Institute (GCI), an independent, nonpartisan think tank, conducted its analysis based on educational goals defined in the Arizona Education Progress Meter. The goals were established by Expect More Arizona and The Center for the Future of Arizona….
“It’s been nearly 30 years since Arizona’s state legislature approved a tax increase. Individual tax rates have tumbled downward, and exemptions have increased. Meanwhile, corporate tax cuts have drastically reduced the revenue collected from businesses.”
Sadly, the Republican leadership is deeply indebted to ALEC and the Koch brothers, whose gospel is low taxes and low spending on public services. Last year, the rightwing bill mill ALEC rated Arizona the top-performing state in the nation, despite its abysmal teachers’ salaries and high poverty. On its annual report card, Arizona received a B-, the highest score awarded by ALEC, mainly because of its many school choice programs.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
There are schools with no running water and dirt floors who are out performing US schools.
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Out performing is a phrase loaded with score on test. I reject any attempt to characterize one school as better than another other than the attempt by teachers to self diagnosis and change culture.
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What?! Do you have a citation for this ridiculous claim?
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Citation you mean we have to back up claims with some sought of source .
There are schools with no walls floors or roofs and no teachers or students who are world class .
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Joel, my comment/question was addressed to Q.
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Joe
I was being sarcastic . I agree .
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Joel, whoops. I figured it out an hour later when I was shopping.
Tout le monde peut se tromper.
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Where? Not in Europe or Asia.
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I think you are onto something.
“The real way to improve schools”
Rip out all the floors
Shut the water off
Rip off all the doors
That should be enough
Schools with floors of dirt
Outperforming us
Thus, for what it’s worth
Flatten tires on bus
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Arizona has become a dystopian nightmare under the influence of extremist libertarians running the state. Arizona has cut taxes to the point that they cannot provide adequate public services, and they have passed laws such as the super-majority vote to raise taxes in order to make it difficult raise revenue for public services. ALEC may view Arizona as a model, but they are failing their residents, especially their young people. ALEC sees Arizona as a B-, but in 2016 NPE gave Arizona an F for education.https://networkforpubliceducation.org/2016/01/valuing-public-education-a-50-state-report-card/
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The ALEC report card on education gave Arizona the highest mark, signifying that by its warped standards, AZ was #1.
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I used to work for an engineering firm, called Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern. The firm merged with AECOM. see
https://www.aecom.com/
One division of the firm would go to public schools, that had physical plant problems, and survey the buildings, and recommend solutions for rehabilitation. The firm surveyed a building in Jackson Tenn, and estimated that it would cost $18 million dollars to renovate the building. Madison County public schools accepted the report, and did nothing. The county did not have the funds to effect the repairs.
The problem of obsolete and decrepit school buildings is national. Arizona is just one of the worst cases.
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Get out of Arizona if you can. It is a state that is not good for your health or for a lifestyle that provides one happiness. I feel for those teachers except they keep voting these spineless GOP into office.
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I lived and taught in Arizona in the 90s — and got out after just two years.
It was already clear to me back then that Arizona’s main problem is it’s corrupt politicians (both state and federal)
Fife Symington was just a symptom of Arizona Disease.
Until that is cured, nothing else will improve.
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The Grand Canyon Institute (GCI) also has several reports on the self-dealing allowed by charter laws in Arizona.
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😩 Fraud. And ALEC gives AZ a B….What a joke. I give ALEC … FFFFF.
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