Superintendent Horne toured the campus of Los Amigos Elementary School and sat down to read to first graders.
Students and volunteers (with assistance and donations from ADE) join together to stuff school supplies, backpacks, and other classroom essentials to be delivered to schools all over the valley. The event is co-sponsored by CW-61 television on a yearly basis.
Teachers and students received in-person training from ADE staff to help inner-city students raise academic outcomes and scored tremendously higher in standardized testing
Aakash O'odham students bring traditional culture and dance to the Youth Arts Month celebration at Wesley Bolin Plaza
Legacy Elementary Charter School in West Phoenix revels in students (and their families) having the option to choose the school environment that suits them best.
Cesar Chavez Elementary in South Phoenix triumphs in raising testing scores in reading, writing, and math in a culturally diverse, dual-language environment.
Chinle Elementary receives National Blue Ribbon Achievement award for most improved progress in reading and math. Chinle's outstanding efforts from tests in reading, writing, and math were up 40% in reading, writing and comprehension and 32% up in math--one of the highest gains in the state.
PHOENIX – Governor Hobbs’ veto of legislation that would give parents access to a new federal school tax credit that is usable in public and private schools is drawing disappointment from state schools chief Tom Horne.
Horne said, “I am disappointed that this legislation was vetoed. I wish the governor had followed the example of her Democrat colleague, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who approved his state for participation in this very favorable tax credit. It benefits the state at federal expense and helps all schools, whether public or private.”
The federal program is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that taxpayers can donate up to $1,700 annually to Scholarship Granting Organizations that give money to cover school expenses.
PHOENIX – State school superintendent Tom Horne is urging Governor Hobbs to sign legislation currently on her desk that would add more money to the classroom for students in public district, charter and other school settings. The bill would include Arizona in a new federal school tax credit opportunity.
Horne stated, “This bill benefits students in public district schools, charters, and every other school setting. Therefore, I urge Governor Hobbs to sign it. She should join fellow Democrat Governor Jared Polis of Colorado in supporting this program.”
He added, “It is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit that taxpayers can donate up to $1,700 annually to Scholarship Granting Organizations as allowed by the law that give money to cover school expenses. Any school could establish such a scholarship organization to accept contributions and bring more money to the classroom. It does not cost the state any money and would increase funding for education.”
Eligible expenses include books, supplies, tutoring, special needs services, computers, tuition, fees, room and board and transportation covered by the federal Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, which requires enrollment at an eligible school.
PHOENIX – State schools chief Tom Horne says the governor’s veto of a bi-partisan bill to allow the public to see the salaries of district superintendents and other executive staff is outrageous and a slap against accountability for tax dollars.
Horne said, “The governor’s veto is outrageous and makes no sense. We have a lot of great superintendents, but as an example there is one who makes $400,000 plus benefits and is allowed to run side businesses. Taxpayers have the right to know that. District superintendents, their various assistants and chief financial officers should be accountable to the taxpayers who pay their salaries. The problem right now is that some districts make it difficult or impossible for the public to know how much those public employees are getting paid. H.B. 2075 would have easily fixed that problem. This had support of both Republicans and Democrats, but the governor used her veto pen to make sure taxpayers are kept in the dark.”
He added, “The vast majority of district superintendents and many other executive staff make six-figure salaries because the size and scope of their job is very large. But it is reasonable for the public to know exactly what those salaries are and whether they are appropriate or potentially excessive. The governor’s veto is both disappointing and wrong.”