ICYMI: Democratic Candidates Hear from Teachers and Parents at “The State of Education in Arizona” Roundtable
Phoenix, Ariz. – Yesterday, Arizona Democrats hosted a roundtable alongside the Arizona Education Association and Save Our Schools to discuss how Arizona’s Republican controlled legislature is failing students and teachers.
The assembled panel shared how teachers are spending their own dollars to buy school supplies for their classrooms. They shared how they have watched as teachers left the classroom due to low pay, further ballooning classroom sizes. And they shared how underfunding is leading to worse outcomes for students.
Democratic legislative candidates then shared their priorities for public schools if they achieve a Democratic majority. Priorities for the next legislative session include increasing per-pupil funding, lowering class sizes, and restoring access to full day kindergarten for all students.
“I've taught for 40 years in Arizona, and I've seen it from every angle as a student myself, as a teacher, a principal, a superintendent, and school board member,” said Representative Keith Seaman. (House, LD16). “And as a parent, with my daughter Stacey, I've seen firsthand what happens when Republicans are in power and they underfund public schools and they attack teachers. Kids miss out on opportunities. Teachers leave the profession and we can't hire enough- it hits rural towns the hardest.”
“When we elect a pro-public education majority this November, public schools will once again become a priority,” said Representative Judy Schwiebert (House, LD2). “We will work to increase per-pupil education funding so that our students are no longer funded at two-thirds of the national average.”
“If we change things in November, we will be in a better situation because Democrats do believe that education is a priority,” said Senator Christine Marsh (Senate, LD4). “And that every student in our public schools deserves the absolute best opportunity to thrive and succeed.”
This November, Democrats have the opportunity to flip two seats in each chamber and take control of the legislature for the first time in nearly 60 years.