AEA members collaboratively developed a formal agenda for improving our public schools—a 10-point plan to ensure Great Public Schools for Every Arizona Child. We’re sharing this action agenda with parents, community activists, business leaders, educators, and elected officials. Together we will build public support for this agenda and enact it into public policy.

Attract and Retain Quality Teachers
Improve working conditions and compensation. Involve teachers in decision making.

Reduce Class Size
Arizona’s student-teacher ratio is the second worst in the nation. Fund class size reduction.

Provide Early Education
Full-day kindergarten and improvements in the quality of pre-school programs are critical elements in a quality public education.

Give ESPs Rights and Support
Bus drivers, school secretaries, technicians, teacher aides, and other non-teaching school staff deserve basic employment rights, adequate compensation, and respectful treatment.

Support Rural Schools
Funding must be adjusted to allow rural schools to provide the same quality of education to students as metropolitan districts.

Raise Salaries and Reduce Health Care Costs
Arizona teacher salaries still fall about $4,000 below the national average. Rising health care costs have caused a reduction in take-home pay.

Improve Student Behavior and Discipline
Strengthen the authority of teachers and staff to deal with disruptive and troubled students.

Reform Student Testing
Limit the amount of time spent on testing. Develop appropriate alternate forms of student assessment.

Establish Reasonable Time and Workload Demands
Teachers need more time for preparation, collaboration with peers, and planning.

Fund Unfunded Mandates
Fully fund all federal and state mandates on public schools, including the federal No Child Left Behind Act.