Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman issued a series of posts last week that highlight how the recently passed bipartisan state budget will help children, educators, and schools.
These include provisions that:
- Funding, for the first time, the Office of Indian Education.
- Provide $50 million to the School Safety Grant Program that can help further reduce the counselor to student ratio.
- Increase the school base support level by $526 million.
- Give $100 million more to Special Education.
Since taking office, my team advocated lawmakers to fund top priorities for @azedschools and the thousands of teachers and students we serve. Our Office of Indian Education received state funding for the first time this year. We’re thrilled this funding will advance our work! pic.twitter.com/k0ciNnMeIb
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) July 5, 2022
.@azedschools is home to hundreds of expert specialists who serve our 1.1 million public school students, their families, and educators. Many long-standing employees haven't received a raise in years, and I'm thrilled lawmakers provided a more-livable wage for our workers. pic.twitter.com/JMibfuAYQt
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) July 6, 2022
Since 2019, @azedschools has reduced the student-to-school counselor ratio by nearly 20%. With the ongoing funding in this year’s budget, we’ll be able to provide even more students and families with the resources to support school safety, academic, social, and emotional support. pic.twitter.com/riWDNwSd3U
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) July 6, 2022
This year, all 15 county superintendents signed a letter asking lawmakers to increase the base level funding substantially – and I’m thrilled that this year's fiscal budget reflects that request. This funding will go a long way to support student academic success! pic.twitter.com/SreKdXjIxY
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) July 7, 2022
As a teacher, I saw firsthand how limited funding for students in special education downgraded their experience. I’m thrilled that after years of advocacy, Arizona’s students in special education will see a substantial increase in funding. pic.twitter.com/hFsbr3Ll6P
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) July 8, 2022
The Superintendent also recently posted that, as Superintendent, she has visited over 150 schools across Arizona. That experience resulted in her instituting forward-progressive policies like the Final Mile Project that has started to connect qualifying schools like the Paloma Elementary School District to broadband internet.
During my 1st year in office, I visited 150+ schools across AZ in all 15 counties & 7 of our tribal nations. I've continued these school visits throughout my term as they are a necessity for my administration so we can implement policies & programs that best support our students
— Kathy Hoffman (@kathyhoffman_az) June 29, 2022
The Superintendent also celebrated Northern Arizona University’s partnership with the Department of Education to create the state’s first Arizona Teacher Residency Program.
Thank you @NAU for partnering with us to create Arizona's first ever teacher residency program!
It was an honor to welcome the first class of teacher residents yesterday. I looking forward to seeing what these amazing future educators accomplish. https://t.co/quuKZF2H4e— Kathy Hoffman (@kathyhoffman_az) July 11, 2022
