E-NEWSLETTER | MARCH 2023

A new landmark report conducted by Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona examines the benefits of college enrollment and completion from three distinct perspectives: the individual, the social perspective of communities and the state, and the fiscal perspective of tax consequences. Join us to learn more about the needed investments and strategies that will bring billions into our state with our panelists:
 
  • Paul J. Luna, President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation
  • Rich Nickel, President and CEO, Education Forward Arizona
  • Dr. Paul Perrault, SVP for Community Impact and Learning, Helios Education Foundation
  • Marla Franco, Vice President for Hispanic Serving Institutions, University of Arizona
The Freeport-McMoRan Native American and Navajo Code Talker Scholarships are now open to another 150 students. Recipients will receive up to $6,000 annually in addition to mentoring services from Education Forward Arizona.

Applications are due June 1.

Dual enrollment has been shown to help improve postsecondary preparedness and participation, yet the majority of Arizona students aren't able to take part.
 
In our latest Education Explainer, we cover the state of dual enrollment in Arizona and what can help improve access for students statewide, including SB 1717, one promising option being considered by state lawmakers.

By voting to temporarily lift the Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL) in February, the state Legislature prevented an approximate $1 billion in cuts to school funding. But they only put duct tape on the problem. Arizona needs a long-term solution that streamlines school funding decisions and eliminates the political gamesmanship that no one likes.

In a recent op-ed in the Phoenix Business Journal, Education Forward Arizona President and CEO, Rich Nickel shares strategies that lawmakers could consider to fix the outdated AEL.

In 2022, education experts and stakeholders convened with us to identify concrete steps the state must take for Arizona to reach the Achieve60AZ attainment goal and other Arizona Education Progress Meter goals, creating the Achieve60AZ Action Plan.

Arizona high school seniors were recently incentivized to finish their FAFSA for the chance to receive Spring Training tickets, thanks to the Arizona Cactus League, the Arizona Board of Regents, Education Forward Arizona and Ask Benji.
 
Super Bowl and Education Forward Arizona team up for STEM education event
In January, Education Forward Arizona partnered with the Super Bowl Host Committee and Freeport McMoRan for 100 Yards of Education: A STEM Playbook for Youth. More than 1,000 local middle school students explored 30 STEM-related exhibits and learned about the importance of education from former Arizona Cardinal, Larry Fitzgerald!

Families with children entering kindergarten next school year should already be thinking about getting their child ready for their first day of school.

First Things First shares 10 tips for parents on getting children ready to start Kindergarten this fall with our Moving Forward Blog.
 
The Education Forward Alumni Scholarship Fund was created in 2022 to give our scholarship alumni and community the opportunity to give back to current scholars.

Your generous donation will directly help a scholar with educational expenses not covered by other scholarships.
 
Education Forward Arizona is seeking a Digital Communications Manager and Americorps AdviseAZ Members to help move education forward.

EDUCATION FORWARD ARIZONA
Our mission is to advocate for and act on education improvements that advance the quality of life for all Arizonans.