Ducey Champions Arizona’s Education as a National Leader

By Daniel Stefanski |

Governor Doug Ducey proudly announced Arizona’s strong performance in a recent education ranking. The Reason Foundation’s latest report assessed the K-12 open enrollment laws across all 50 states, placing Arizona third nationally. Ducey emphasized the importance of these policies, stating they offer families access to high-quality education options.

On Twitter, Ducey shared, “Another new report shows that Arizona’s education system is one of the best in the nation.” This endorsement aligns with a broader trend, as public support for open enrollment is evident. A recent poll by yes. every kid. and YouGov showed that 84% of school parents back this policy. Additionally, EdChoice’s survey earlier this year indicated that 73% of parents support open enrollment options.

Jude Schwalbach, a Senior Policy Analyst for the Reason Foundation, highlighted the impact of open enrollment. It allows students to transfer to different public schools, provided space is available. Research indicates that students often move to higher-ranked districts when participating in open enrollment programs. In the 2021-22 school year alone, over 450,000 students in Arizona, Florida, and Wisconsin utilized this option, with nearly 177,000 transferring to other districts.

A deep dive into Arizona’s policies reveals requirements for schools to regularly update their enrollment capacity and report data on participation rates. This transparency helps policymakers and the public understand how the open enrollment system is functioning.

The report also recommended enhancements to Arizona’s open enrollment framework. Suggestions included publishing the number of rejected applicants with justifications, clarifying that transfers cannot be denied based on student abilities, and ensuring that parents receive formal written explanations for any denials.

Past reports have addressed concerns surrounding open enrollment, particularly about potential impacts on local property values. However, evidence from affluent districts like Scottsdale suggests otherwise; home values there have remained stable or even increased alongside robust education choices within the area.

As the educational landscape in Arizona evolves, the state continues to position itself as a leader in school choice and educational access.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.