TRYING TO CHANGE LEGISLATIVE MINDS

posted by Michael Chihak

Arizona's public education community is taking a new look at how it approaches the state Legislature for school budgeting.

The Arizona Capitol Times this week reported that the Arizona Education Association plans to tie job creation and the economy to education funding.

The tie won't be tenuous. The two go hand in hand and have for a long time. The Arizona Board of Regents, among others, have pushed that approach consistently over the years.

But for the education association, it's a new message, one with pragmatism. ut will it resonate?

Capitol Times reporter Caitlin Coakley Beckner quotes association President Andrew Morrill as saying, "We're trying to send the message, which is true, that a properly funded school system can be and has been shown to be an economic driver for the state."

Beckner will appear on the journalists' panel of Friday's Arizona Week to discuss the story and the legislative issues with educational funding.