8 Jan 2007
Another Study Ranks Arizona at the Bottom in Education
Phoenix, AZ - In the recently released 2007 Quality Counts, "Chance for Success Index," Arizona ranked 49th out of 50 states when it comes to the success of its children. The assessment measures how well states prepare students based on 13 indicators: including family income and enrollment in pre school and college, which highlight whether children get off to a good start, succeed in elementary and secondary school and reach key educational and income benchmarks.In addition, last year another study by Morgan Quitno Press ranked Arizona 50th in the “Smartest State Award” for the second year in a row.In Arizona, 28 percent of the state's total population is Hispanic. However, only 8 percent complete college and hold a Bachelor’s degree. An even more alarming statistic is that a whopping 63 percent of Hispanic 4th grade students have below “Basic” reading skills. These statistics prove that “school choice” matters. “All parents should be able to decide what is best for their children not just parents with means. School choice is matter of justice for the poor-a step toward equal access to educational options,” said Rebeca Nieves Huffman, President and CEO of Hispanic CREO.
In May of 2006, a tax credit plan was approved to provide up $4,500 for a means tested school voucher.“Arizona is a prime example of a state that is being proactive to educate its children - that’s why last year Arizona enacted three school choice programs. Now, we can only hope to expand the programs to make sure every child has an opportunity to access a quality education,” said Rebeca Nieves Huffman.
While many believe that school choice and vouchers won't work CREO cites seven scientifically valid random-assignment analyses that have been conducted on school vouchers. All seven studies find that school choice works. When parents have a choice and use that choice to send their children to better schools, research shows those children succeed. This choice allows parents to break the cycle of mediocrity in their families and steer their children toward success.
Hispanic CREO's mission is to improve educational outcomes for Hispanic children by empowering families through parental choice in education. We achieve this by providing parents with free information and resources, which help them become self-advocates for their children. CREO is a non-profit, non-partisan organization. "CREO" is Spanish for "I believe."
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