Arizona's Governor on Monday, Jan. 11 expressed the need for students to head back into classrooms in his State of the State address. Great Leaders Strong Schools President and Founder Emily Anne Gullickson applauded his leadership.
"We are grateful to the Senate Education Committee for putting Arizona children first today. The package of education bills sponsored by Senator Paul Boyer will provide families with a real choice by ensuring fair and equal access to a high-quality education for all children. Some families see a perfect match with their neighborhood public school, - which is great. but for a growing number of families, the best fit for their child is in another public school. Modernizing our open enrollment process and public education transportation system is long overdue. These bills aims to make real the opportunities families are seeking through open enrollment and public charter schools. The status quo is not acceptable.
“Every child in our state has felt the resounding impact of the COVID-19 crisis as it has upended our education system throughout the state. The inequities that existed prior to the pandemic have been exacerbated and we must do everything we can to help our students accelerate forward. Innovation is no longer optional; it is the only way we can face the challenges before us. We applaud Governor Doug Ducey for his leadership in prioritizing K-12 education, empowering families, and ensuring public policy keeps pace with proven community-driven models and new ways of learning that are creating meaningful change. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature on policies that put Arizona students first.”