AZ Dept. of Education announces equitable & effective school funding task force

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has invited leaders from across the state to join two upcoming Effective and Equitable School Funding Task Force meetings.

The task force will provide input on how Arizona can best use the American Rescue Plan (ARP) discretionary funds dedicated to K-12 education.

These funds will support statewide activities and interventions that respond to students’ academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups.

The purpose of these task force meetings is to solicit input regarding student needs and recommend how ADE should allocate ARP discretionary funds appropriated by Congress.

“Bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders from our education community is critical to ensuring these funds support equitable and strategic investments in our public schools, educators, and the students they serve,” said Superintendent Kathy Hoffman. “To that end, over eighty education, philanthropic, and community-based organization leaders and educators have been invited to participate in this work.”

The Effective and Equitable School Funding Task Force will complete this work by mid-July and provide recommendations to the Arizona Department of Education to support students in the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years.