Latest news with #ArizonaStateBoardofEducation
Business Wire
4 days ago
- General
- Business Wire
Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 Outlines Key Strategies to Boost Third Grade Reading Scores
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To help more of Arizona's youngest students develop the literacy skills they need to be proficient readers and successful in school, partners in Read On Arizona, our state's early literacy initiative, have come together to launch Arizona Literacy Plan 2030. 'Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 is a rallying cry for committing to what works," Sean Ross, Executive Director, Arizona State Board of Education Share Literacy impacts every aspect of academic achievement. Research shows that students who don't learn to read well by the end of third grade are likely to fall behind in all subject areas and much more likely to drop out. But less than half of Arizona's third graders passed the state's most recent English Language Arts assessment, which encompasses reading, language, and writing. Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 outlines the proven strategies and actions required to improve literacy outcomes for Arizona students. Read On Arizona gathered input and commitments from state and local partners to align efforts and collaborate over the next five years toward the goal of 72% of third graders at reading proficiency. 'With the right instruction and support, almost all children can learn to read proficiently,' said Read On Arizona's Terri Clark. 'Our educators are working hard to teach students to read every day, but they need support. This plan is a framework for Arizona to scale up evidence-based strategies so that all of our young learners can develop the literacy skills they need.' Scaling Up Successful Strategies Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 highlights several 'scale-to-succeed' strategies and goals, including expanding the number of literacy coaches to support educators in early grades and sustaining Arizona's K-5 Literacy Endorsement so that all new and certified early grades teachers are supported with training in the most effective literacy instructional practices. 'Evidence-based reading instruction and interventions work for all students, including English learners and students exhibiting characteristics of dyslexia,' said Sean Ross, executive director of the Arizona State Board of Education. 'Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 is a rallying cry for committing to what works. We know the direction to head, and we're all heading in that direction together.' Other key strategies outlined in the plan include increasing access to quality early learning for preschool-age children and reducing chronic absence to pre-pandemic levels. 'Attendance is critical,' said Janice Palmer, senior vice president of government affairs and public policy at Helios Education Foundation. 'We need our students in the classroom, especially in the early grades, when they're learning foundational literacy skills.' Partner Action Commitments Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 also includes commitments from a wide range of partners across the state, including state agencies, philanthropy, community partners, and more, to take specific, measurable actions over the next five years aligned with its key priorities. As part of the roll-out and implementation of the plan, Read On Arizona will look to connect with and collaborate with additional public and private sector partners in the coming months. 'The plan is the framework,' Clark said. 'Everyone has a role to play.' Arizona Literacy Plan 2030 is available on LitHubAZ, a free online resource for educators, administrators, community partners, and families to find effective ways to help students learn to read at grade level and be successful in school. About Read On Arizona Launched in 2013, Read On Arizona is our state's early literacy initiative. Partners in Read On Arizona are committed to working together to improve language and literacy outcomes for Arizona's children from birth to age 8, with strategic focus on school readiness and third grade reading proficiency. The Read On Arizona collaboration provides leadership at the state level through an advisory board consisting of representatives of founding partners — Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Community Foundation, First Things First, Helios Education Foundation, and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust — as well as the Arizona State Board of Education, the Governor's Office and several other key education stakeholders and philanthropic organizations. Read On Arizona also supports local literacy efforts through a network of Read On Communities. Learn more at
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
53 Arizona schools get A+ School of Excellence Award
Fifty-three Arizona schools have been named A+ School of Excellence Award recipients by the group that names Arizona's teacher of the year. The Arizona Educational Foundation developed the recognition 42 years ago to combat negative stereotypes surrounding public schools by spotlighting their successes. The A+ designation can lead to broader recognition, such as the U.S. Department of Education's National Blue Ribbon Award. While the award is different from the Arizona State Board of Education's A-F letter grade system, only schools with an A or B rating from the state can qualify for the A+ status. Hundreds of schools apply every year for the award, according to the foundation. The award is given to schools with qualities such as strong leadership, high-quality teachers and a rigorous curriculum that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving. Schools submit applications for the award each August. Staff and a panel of judges then determine which schools warrant an interview and, finally, a site visit. Schools then hold the award for four years, with this year's batch of schools earning the designation for 2025-29. Over the four-year period, principals of the A+ schools will mentor and develop participants in the foundation's Principals Leadership Academy of Arizona. They'll also assist with training and workshops as part of the Arizona Educational Foundation Academy. Gilbert Public Schools was the district with the most schools to make the list this year, with six being named an A+ School of Excellence. Kyrene School District had four schools make the cut. These are the 2025-29 A+ Schools of Excellence: Canyon del Oro High School The Innovation Academy Lawrence W. Cross Middle School Youngker High School Black Mountain Elementary Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology Bogle Junior High School Chandler Traditional Academy — Freedom Campus T. Dale Hancock Elementary Highland Lakes School Stetson Hill School Terramar Academy of the Arts Ashland Ranch Elementary Augusta Ranch Elementary Boulder Creek Elementary Carol Rae Ranch Elementary Gilbert Elementary Quartz Hill Elementary Greenway High School Sossaman Middle School Kyrene de la Mirada Leadership Academy Kyrene de la Brisas Elementary Kyrene de las Lomas Elementary Kyrene Monte Vista Elementary Nautilus Elementary Starline Elementary Vista del Sur Accelerated Academy Belen Soto Elementary Verrado Middle School Rattlesnake Ridge Elementary Booker T. Washington Elementary Porter Elementary Camp Mohave Elementary Desert Shadows Middle School Robert M. Bracker Elementary Clarendon Elementary Osborn Middle School Paradise Honors High School Rim Country Middle School Zuni Hills Elementary Wrightson Ridge School Hohokam Elementary Navajo Elementary Pueblo Elementary Village Meadows Elementary Sonoran Science Academy East Aguilar Elementary Desert Vista High School Marcos de la Niza High School Mountain Pointe High School Andrada Polytechnic High School Mira Mountain High School Desert View Elementary This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 53 Arizona schools get A+ School of Excellence Award
