Survey gives Arizona’s public schools low marks over dropout rates, test scores

Despite record funding, Arizona’s public-school systems ranked 48th nationwide over factors such as graduation rates, test scores and school safety, according to a recent analysis.

“The state tied with four others – Idaho, Alaska, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. – for the highest dropout rate,” lamented Arizona Central in discussing the report by WalletHub, a personal finance company.

The report weighted test performance – including SAT, ACT, fourth and eighth grade math and reading scores – along with graduation rates to provide for 80% of each state’s ranking.

“The other 20% of the score is based on metrics related to school safety, including the required number of police officers per school and the presence of violence, drugs and weapons on school grounds,” the news article explained. “Access to technology and training for remote learning also contributed to a state’s safety score.”

In addition to meager academic performance, the Grand Canyon State also received low marks for spending per student at 47th nationwide.

Public-school funding has increased over the years, from $9,124 per student in fiscal year 2015 to $14,673 in fiscal year 2024, the Center Square reported.

“Taxpayers pay both state and local taxes,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. “Combined they contribute about $13,000 per student (some estimates are higher) for every student in public school.”

Issues with transgender identity, parental consent

Arizona public schools had faced criticism in recent years over policies to conceal any students’ transgender statuses from parents, according to The Daily Signal.

“As a parent, I find it deeply appalling and offensive that school administrators are pushing policies specifically designed to hide sensitive information from families,” said Michele Exner, senior adviser at the Parents Defending Education nonprofit. “Parents have a right to direct the upbringing of their children, and schools should not be in the business of arbitrarily deciding what student information to not share with parents.”

The nonprofit shared recorded presentations from several state districts encouraging staffers to withhold information about gender identity from “unsupportive families,” according to the article.

However, this year Arizona took steps to give parents more control over their child’s student information with HB 2514, signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs on April 18.

The Goldwater Institute helped craft the legislation, arguing parents should have the right to ensure their child’s name, email address and telephone number would not be released to third parties without their consent.

“For years, Goldwater has spearheaded the nationwide campaign to put parents in control of the key decisions in their children’s education,” wrote Christopher Thomas, the institute’s director of legal strategy for education policy. “Goldwater developed HB2514 (sponsored by Representative Justin Olson) to do just that: require a parent’s written consent for schools to release their children’s personal information.”