Advocacy leader says education is polarized, dividing Arizona voters

Oct. 1

The majority of Arizona voters want to see public education funded, according to the Center for the Future of Arizona.

Rich Nickel is the CEO of Education Forward, a nonprofit focused on improving education in the state by providing resources, research and data.

Public opinion data overwhelmingly found Arizonans consider an investment in public education a top priority, Nickel said.

The fact remains that Arizona is ranked close to dead last in the nation when it comes to funding K-12 education.

“We have what then amounts to this aspiration gap between what voters clearly say they expect and want from their elected officials, and then what their elected officials are actually giving them. I think the opportunity is for our elected officials to represent the will of the voters,” Nickel said.

“And also for voters to understand when they are choosing their elected officials… what those elected officials actually believed in,” he added.

Nickel says Arizona voters need to ask legislators for actual solutions around funding for education. While campaigning, candidates may say things that are appealing to voters, he added. Asking specific questions such as how a candidate plans to improve student math and reading scores and not just cover talking points would go a long way, according to Nickel.

How has education in Arizona become a hot topic?

“Today, what we see, because education has become somewhat of a divisive topic in our state and around the country and certainly a partisan issue in some ways, is that political signs, campaign rhetoric (are) really all about super populist issues,” Nickel said.

“It’s about political biases and about what information and curriculum should be in the classroom and what rights parents have. I think that’s a sign of the times and also a sign that unfortunately education continues to be used as a divider instead of as a unifier in Arizona and across the country,” he added.

It’s a combination of a lot of different issues as to why Arizona continues to fall behind when it comes to education, and it’s more than just lack of funding, Nickel said. A teacher shortage, a wide-open universal voucher program or a school not getting enough votes for a much needed bond or override are all contributing factors to Arizona’s rankings in education.

Nickel’s advice to Arizonans who want to improve education across the state:

“I would say for parents is… to make sure and understand not just what is going on in your specific school but the policies that make that happen,” Nickel said.

“And then use your voice if you’re not satisfied with those policies to advocate for those policies by talking to your legislators, by talking to your school board members, by voting for those folks that you think have your best interest at heart. If you don’t like this system, the way to change it is through that type of process,” he added.

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Reporting by “Arizona Horizon” Education Solutions Reporter Roxanne De La Rosa. Her role is made possible through grant funding from the Arizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund and Report for America.