As reported by AZ Free News, A recent report reveals that Arizona’s eighth-grade students have the lowest reading scores on record, with mathematics scores stagnating at levels seen nearly three decades ago. This alarming data from the Nation’s Report Card underscores why educational freedom and parental choice through programs like Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) and School Tuition Organizations (STOs) remain crucial for Arizona families.
The average eighth grader in Arizona has the lowest reading scores on record, and about the same mathematics scores as nearly 30 years ago.
The Nation’s Report Card (NCR) 2024 Reading State Snapshot Report showed that Arizona’s average scores for eighth grade students declined to 254, the lowest point on record over the past three decades.
These statistics highlight a fundamental problem with a one-size-fits-all approach to education. When traditional systems fail to deliver improved outcomes despite decades of increased funding and reforms, parents need alternatives to ensure their children receive the education that best suits their individual learning needs. ESAs empower parents to direct their children’s education by accessing a variety of educational options including private schools, tutoring, specialized curricula, home schooling, and educational therapies.
Sandra Christensen, board member with the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), claimed the decline in scores was because districts weren’t prioritizing academic excellence or student safety.
“We can no longer afford to govern districts like we did 10 years ago. Our students deserve better! We MUST focus on academic excellence and student safety.”
As reading and math scores continue to stagnate or decline, Arizona’s commitment to educational freedom through ESAs and STOs provides a vital alternative pathway for families seeking better academic outcomes for their children. Supporting and expanding these programs ensures that no child is trapped in an educational environment that fails to help them reach their full potential.
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