‘Arizona Horizon’ features education stories in Arizona
Education in Arizona is at a critical crossroads, and our public affairs program “Arizona Horizon” is showcasing all the issues, diving into what’s working, what’s failing and what’s next. Learn more below to stay informed and be part of the conversation shaping the future of education in our state.
Watch “Arizona Horizon” weeknights at 5 or 10 p.m. on air, or on our YouTube news channel, AZPBS Now, or catch full episodes online later or on the PBS app.
Proposition 320 states school districts must spend on instructional expenses
Proposition 320 will require school districts to spend at least 60% of their budget on direct instructional expenses if it passes this November.
Schools with more than 7,500 students, or in counties with a population greater than 500,000, would be subject to this requirement.
Matt Beienburg, Director of Education Policy at the Goldwater Institute, and Jimmy Arwood, Director of Governmental Relations for the Arizona School Boards Association, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the pros and cons of Proposition 320.
Arizona students graduate despite struggling on state proficiency tests
A majority of students in some Arizona school districts are struggling to meet state proficiency standards in math and English language arts.
The latest project from The BEAM, an investigative newsroom at ASU’s Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, analyzes why graduation rates do not reflect state standardized test results.
Katie Wilcox and Evan Wyloge, both professors of practice at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the findings of the BEAM project.
ASU Prep Tempe’s Levitt Lab shows promising success rates
ASU Preparatory Academy in Tempe, powered by The Levitt Lab, recently charted results of an academic assessment. The assessment showed students significantly outperforming national scores in core academic areas, including Math, English Language Arts and Reading.
ASU Prep’s hybrid learning model utilizes a mastery-based approach, allowing students to accelerate and personalize their learning.
Betsy Fowler, ASU Preparatory Academy Chief of Staff, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how The Levitt Lab is reshaping education.
Arizona Attorney General settles lawsuit over school voucher reimbursement rules
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes settled a lawsuit that will erase a school voucher oversight requirement. Parents will no longer need to link school supplies to a specific curriculum for reimbursement.
Instead of having to upload curriculum documents, parents will only need to select a subject area from a dropdown menu, which will include options such as history, math and art.
Jon Riches, Vice President for Litigation and General Counsel at the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss how the settlement was reached with the Goldwater Institute to avoid a lengthy trial.
Arizona education data shows drop in postsecondary enrollment
Arizona education leaders set a goal in 2016 for 70% of high school graduates to pursue further schooling by 2030, but new data shows the state moving in the opposite direction.
Only about half of graduates continue their education within a year, a decline seen across most counties and demographic groups.
Molly Bohannon, Higher Education Reporter for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the state’s declining college‑going rates.
Life lessons take center field in ‘Coach Shirley’s Soccer Team’
Cherry Praileau is the author of the book “Coach Shirley’s Soccer Team: Winning the Game of Life,” which introduces young readers to core values such as teamwork, confidence and self‑belief.
The book highlights Shirley’s Laws, a set of clear principles that guide children in how to show up and work together.
Prailleau and Coach Shirley herself joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the values at the center of this new children’s book.
‘Wallace & Ladmo’ featured on new Phoenix Public Library cards
The Phoenix Public Library is honoring two familiar Arizona faces, unveiling a new special edition “The Wallace & Ladmo Show” library card.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at Burton Barr Central Library, the library is hosting a celebration honoring the Arizona television program.
The show brought generations together for more than 35 years, airing on KPHO-TV.
Watch the story online as Lee Franklin, Community Relations Director of Phoenix Public Library, and Pat McMahon, discussed the celebration.
The Arizona Cardinals empower students off the field
The Arizona Cardinals are empowering young leaders on and off the field. Their Civics Matter program cultivates year-round civic education for Title I high school students.
The program connects civil knowledge to real-world decision-making and leadership, aimed at shaping future leaders.
Watch the story online where Shaun Mayo, Arizona Cardinals Chief People Officer, discussed how the initiative is shaping the state’s next generation of leaders.
Meet Mychal Threets, new host of ‘Reading Rainbow’
Launched in July 1983, the popular children’s show is returning nearly two decades after ending its original run on PBS, hosted previously by actor LeVar Burton. “Reading Rainbow” was created to motivate children to find joy in reading during summer recess from school, according to ReadingRainbow.org.
Watch the story online where Mychal Threets, the new host of “Reading Rainbow” discussed the next chapter of the show.
Judge orders overhaul of Arizona school capital funding – March 16, 2026
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Dewain Fox issued a final judgment and permanent injunction requiring the state to establish a constitutional system for funding school facilities. State lawmakers have eight months to fix the capital funding system for the schools.
Fox also issued a 90-day pause on his judgment so Arizona Republican lawmakers, who control both legislative chambers and have been defending the funding system, can appeal his findings.
Watch the story online where Jimmy Arwood, director of governmental relations at Arizona School Boards Association, discussed what this ruling means for the school system.
‘Super Why’ inspires Arizona summer camp curriculums – March 9, 2026
Last summer, 12 literacy camps served about three hundred students across Arizona. The camp curriculums were based on Arizona PBS’ animated children’s series called “Super Why”. The show is dedicated to teaching children how to read.
Watch the story online where Denise Landberg, the principal of Litchfield Elementary School discussed how the program is helping children build reading skills while having fun.
Fraud found in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program – Feb. 18, 2026
For a few years, Arizona’s Republican leaders, including Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, have long insisted that fraud in Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program is minimal. However, public records obtained through a lawsuit by 12 News show a different story.
The lawsuit investigates unallowable purchases, which are defined as spending that is explicitly banned under ESA program rules. Among the purchases discovered are diamond rings, gift cards and luxury clothing. ESA spending from December 2024 through September 2025 found that out of 385,000 ESA purchases the department reviewed, nearly 84,000 were deemed unallowable. That’s more than 20%.
Watch the story online where 12 News Investigative Reporter Craig Harris discussed the investigation and subsequent lawsuit.
Arizona Teacher of the Year 2026 – Feb. 12, 2026
The Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF) announced Tiffani Jaseph from Copper View Elementary School in the Sahuarita Unified School District as the 2026 Arizona Teacher of the Year. She began her career in general education before discovering her true passion in special education.
Watch Joseph discuss the award and the inspiration behind her work as a teacher.
ESA program required to create risk-based auditing procedures – Aug. 28, 2025
As part of the state budget approved in 2024, the Arizona Legislature required the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program to work with the state’s Auditor General to create risk-based auditing procedures. The goal of that law, which went into effect in September 2024, is to ensure students and parents who use the program comply with rules on how the money is used.
Watch the story online where Caitlin Sievers, a reporter for Arizona Mirror, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the latest developments.
Elevate Phoenix: Arizona youth organization helps at-risk students – Aug. 27, 2025
Across hard-to-serve urban areas, at-risk students drop out of school in alarming numbers. Elevate Phoenix provides full-time salaried teacher-mentors, year-round programming, cross-age mentoring and a long-term relational approach.
Their areas of focus are: Accredited classes, mentoring, reading and literacy, graduation and post-secondary plans. Jazmine Hall, Development Director at Elevate Phoenix, and Amanda Covarrubias, Education Director at Elevate Phoenix, joined “Arizona Horizon” to provide more details on their youth organization.
Watch the story online for an in-depth look at how Elevate Phoenix is transforming the futures of Arizona’s students.
Court rules Arizona K-12 funding violates the state constitution – Aug. 25, 2025
The Maricopa County Superior Court has ruled on the constitutionality of Arizona’s system for funding the capital needs of K-12 public schools.
After reviewing the record and considering the arguments, the Court concluded the current public school capital finance system does not meet the constitutional minimum standards established by the Arizona Supreme Court. Danny Adelman, Executive Director at the Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, joined “Arizona Horizon” to speak about the ruling.
Watch the story online for a closer look at what this decision means for Arizona’s schools and students.
Head Start federal program faces citizenship rule pause – Aug. 11, 2025
Head Start is a federally funded program serving children and their families who are at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The program provides early education for 3- to 5-year-old children, parent involvement and family support as well as comprehensive health and nutrition education. And Early Head Start serves pregnant women and children from birth to 3 years old.
Eve Del Real, Director of Early Head Start and Head Start, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent directive requiring children to be U.S. citizens to enroll in Head Start.
Watch the story online to learn more about how this change could impact families and communities.
