The Arizona Department of Education says nearly a quarter of Arizona schools with School Improvement status have advanced their performance over the past year.
A school is considered under School Improvement status when it needs to raise its academic performance based on federal requirements.
State Superintendent Tom Horne says an initiative that educates teachers called Project Momentum has helped these schools leave improvement status.
“We also have literacy coaches and math coaches that go out to help the schools, and when they do that, the success rate goes up substantially,” he said.
He says one reason why some schools are underperforming is because there is a shortage of skilled teachers.
“We also have a teacher shortage, so you have classes with permanent substitutes who don't have any of the training that's needed,” he said.
He says he has been working with some Arizona universities to help give future teachers the skills they need to be effective in the classroom.
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In 2006, Arizona voters approved a new tax this one on cigarettes. 80-cents per pack, to be exact. Voters passed the initiative and created First Things First, Arizona’s early childhood agency. -
In an effort to remove financial barriers and expand access to mental health care, the University of Arizona says it will provide free counseling for its students beginning July 1. -
A student event featuring Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk that was planned at a Phoenix high school next week has been moved off campus. -
Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, the widow of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is planning a visit in the Paradise Valley Unified School District next week. -
The Peoria Unified School District will cut all of its social workers at the end of this year, as funds from the state’s school safety grant program will run out.
