On September 23, 2024, 12News published a story informing its viewers that the state of Arizona ranked 51st in a survey regarding the quality of its public schools. Though the U.S. is comprised of 50 states, it included Washington D.C., thus ranking Arizona 51st on its list of good schools.
This survey, titled “Best States for Public Education in 2024”, was conducted by Consumer Affairs. The report stated, “Arizona ranked dead last because of low test scores across the board and the highest pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country — 23:1”.
Key Findings of the Survey
The most recently available NAEP reading scores for the nation were taken in 2022, with the National Assessment for Education Progress reporting test scores every two years. In Arizona, the NAEP reported that only 31% of its scholars could read at a proficient level, and only 24% were proficient in mathematics for 2022.
The causes of these poor scores can be attributed to a lack of funding, crowded classrooms, and a high teacher turnover rate. Detrimentally impacting scholar achievement and the well-being of their communities are top concerns of parents. Why are Arizona’s public schools underfunded?
Why Arizona’s Public Schools are Underfunded
A trend called the “doctrine of shrinking state budgets” is a result of economic downturns, reducing states’ revenue. According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, (NASBO), total state funding is expected to shrink by $1.22 trillion this year (2025), a drop of 6% from last year.
Arizona’s budget deficit has led the state to redistribute funds by cutting $1.4 billion on education, as well as most state agencies.
Such cutbacks are blamed for the poor performances of public schools and their scholars. There is hope that Governor Katie Hobbs will pass Proposition 123, in which Arizona will raise compensation for every educator and support staff in the state. By acquiring 8.9% funding from the State Land Trust Permanent Fund and distributing it over a 10-year period, the funds would be administered as follows:
- 2.5% to a general school fund amounting to $257 million
- 4.4% for educator compensation — $347 million
- 1.5% for school staff — $118 million
- 0.5% for schools and scholars’ safety
As of this writing, in January 2025, the deadline for calling a special election to pass Prop 123 is in mid-February of this year. With hope, the challenges traditional public schools face will be addressed for a better future.
Why These Challenges Matter
Underfunded schools deal with overcrowded classrooms, low teacher compensation, and high teacher turnover. Negative impacts include scholars’ disengagement with the learning process, lack of motivation, and frequent truancy. Fewer scholars graduate from these schools. In addition, underfunded schools have more scholars with learning gaps that need to be addressed. Due to stress, low pay, and being overburdened by the many needs of their scholars, teacher turnover is high in schools that lack appropriate funds.
According to a study in the American Journal of Education, (2017), children up through 5th grade have a higher level of achievement in reading when their teachers enjoy teaching. It also discovered that when scholars attend schools with a strong professional community as a foundation, it helps them to succeed even if the schools employ a few dissatisfied teachers. A strong professional community supports teacher collaboration and a culture aimed at success.
If underfunded schools are left to struggle without financial assistance, they will give rise to a generation of people who will not be in a position to adequately support their own children. The cycle of poverty can best be broken by providing scholars with an excellent education, coupled with the confidence that they can succeed in life, and visions of their future endeavors.
How The Leman Academy of Excellence Addresses These Challenges
The Leman Academy of Excellence, a classical education academy with schools in Arizona and Colorado, addresses education challenges in Arizona by establishing these pillars:
- Teacher support and retention
- A well-funded curriculum
- Positive scholar outcomes
- Parental involvement
Teacher support leads to the retention of good teachers by offering them competitive compensation and ongoing professional development. As a classical education academy, Leman supports its professional staff with training in the classical model to deliver a rigorous curriculum, utilize Socratic questioning, deliver structured discovery learning, and provide excellent character development for their scholars.
As a public charter school, Leman also receives state money like traditional schools. In addition, it receives money from the government to compensate for its inability to utilize property taxes, as well as donations from foundations and corporations. Leman Academy’s use of these funds provides scholars with qualified teachers, core curriculum texts in both print and digital formats, and the resources needed to master its curriculum.
Teaching grades K-8, Leman Academy provides a rigorous curriculum that prepares its scholars to engage with the rhetoric stage of the trivium, which coincides with high school grades in traditional schools. Scholars demonstrate a strong academic foundation with critical thinking skills and the confidence to think independently. They focus on the virtues of caring, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Parents are considered to be partners by Leman Academy in the support and education of their scholars. They’re invited to volunteer on campuses and assist with classroom activities. Using regular communication, parents are kept informed about their children’s progress, and they form strong ties with their children’s teachers.
Maintaining these pillars of support is what makes the Leman Academy a much sought-after school choice for parents.
Conclusion: Why Choose Leman Academy?
While many challenges face traditional schools, the Leman Academy of Excellence is able to prevent these issues. They provide a smaller scholar-to-teacher ratio, offer a curriculum that teaches their scholars to think, and engage their scholars with collaborative activities such as discussions, debates, and projects that validate scholars’ self-worth. This, in turn, provides interest and curiosity in the minds of scholars who then find inspiration in learning. Leman likewise ensures their scholars develop teamwork, compassion, and wholesome virtues.
Parents of children enrolled in Leman attest to its success:
“We absolutely love this school. Character development integrated into a classical approach to education is a rare find these days.”
“This is our second year at Leman — I have 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th grade children. They have advanced academically much more than ever, and they feel loved by the staff.”
As traditional schools struggle to empower their scholars with a good education, Leman Academy curtails most of those issues, which makes Leman an exceptional alternative school choice.
Visit Leman Academy’s website and the Leman Virtual Academy to discover what opportunities they present for your children.