My Turn: Raise expectations for schools

As a leader of a large Arizona-based, employee-owned company and father of three, I have a vested interest in our state’s K-12 public education.

I want our schools to be held as a standard to which other states aspire. If we target our efforts around high expectations for ourselves, just as I have high expectations for my own kids, Arizona residents will reap the benefit of economic growth and prosperity.

Given the national attention we have received and the resources we have available, some might consider our goals around educational excellence to be a lofty, pipe dream.

I disagree. Given the great thought leaders we have in education in this state, I know we can all work together on a better K-12 system.

Time is not on our side. The longer we wait the farther behind we will slip.

Our council is evaluating how to ensure the existing, limited dollars allocated to educate our state’s children are invested where the best outcomes can be achieved, and create an equitable funding structure that builds a foundation for excellence in all our schools.

To that end we are simplifying the funding formula to make it easier to understand, looking at ways to track and measure dollars by student, and incent achievement. Three words guide our effort: clarity, transparency and results.

While we are not charged with looking at ways to increase funding, we are mindful of the limited resources in education.

As a business and residential taxpayer, I am open to new ideas, which is why I support Gov. Ducey’s enhanced funding for education proposal. This solution, to increase the allocation received from the Permanent Land Endowment Trust Fund from 2.5 percent to 10 percent, will provide a much-needed boost to K-12 education and increase every student’s funding by approximately $300 without raising taxes.

It’s a step that helps us increase student spending, and in conjunction with the work of our council, can help us improve educational outcomes. The proposal is not a permanent fix, nor has any education initiative been over the past several decades. But this proposal can make a universal, significant difference.

At our last council meeting, the state Board of Regents shared some staggering, if not motivating, statistics that put our situation in perspective:

• Nearly half (45.7 percent) of Arizona high schools send five or fewer graduates to a postsecondary education institution.

• Half of our graduates going to a postsecondary education were generated by just 52 high schools (out of a total of 488).

• Only 19.4 percent of Arizona students earn a postsecondary degree within six years of graduation.

If these numbers can’t light a fire under us, then what will? This path will not support the economic future that Arizona leaders anticipate, but I’m confident that our council can effect positive change.

We have the engagement of exceptional leaders representing high-performing public and charter schools, along with the Arizona Department of Education and the state Board of Education. We are evaluating best practices in student-centered learning, formulas for success and taking on the challenge of equitable funding.

We have heard from schools and districts that are beating the odds by aligning behind a common purpose shared by inspirational leaders and engaged staff, and we are considering how this culture can be replicated, all within the available per-student budget.

While the task ahead is daunting, we have the commitment of smart, engaged and eager participants. Those of us on the council, educators, parents and concerned residents who take time to write thoughtful letters and editorials want to see change.

We have a real opportunity to improve educational equity and move the needle on outcomes. It is time for Arizona to raise expectations and strive for excellence.

Kitchell CEO Jim Swanson co-chairs Gov. Doug Ducey’s Classrooms First Initiative Council.