Katie is a Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action. In this role, she works with leaders and policymakers from the western states to promote student-centered solutions focused on educational quality, innovation and opportunity.
This week, Governor Doug Ducey released an ambitious plan to close the widening achievement gap brought on by the pandemic. He pledged to make significant investments in early literacy, education opportunities and rural broadband.
Preparing Arizona’s youngest learners with the skills to read by third grade is critical now more than ever so they do not fall further behind when they transition from learning to read, to reading to learn. Reading coaches and training teachers in the science of reading and effective instruction methods are both critically important to closing the gap.
Many parents throughout Arizona sought new options for their kids during the pandemic that would better fit their needs. Governor Ducey shared the story of Fiona, a mother who had to find a new school with a special-needs virtual option for her three sons on the autism spectrum that could meet all their needs. After enrolling them in the Arizona Autism Charter School this past fall, she was impressed with the teachers’ ability to understand her boys’ individual needs and their unique gifts, even over a screen. Fiona was also thankful to have both a virtual and in-person option to choose from. This opportunity would not be possible without the flexibility of Arizona’s school choice system.
Prioritizing early literacy, closing the achievement gap and removing barriers to educational choice will help our students achieve more in their academic career. I look forward to working with Governor Ducey, the Arizona Legislature and our partner organizations to ensure every Arizona student has a bright future.
Highlights of Governor Ducey’s Arizona Resilient Plan and budget
