A new public opinion poll of Arizona voters highlights voter desire for increased support for public schools and working families.
(PHOENIX) – Every year Stand for Children Arizona conducts a poll of Arizona voters asking them to weigh in on key issues facing education and families in the state. As key school funding decisions loom at the state legislature – such as whether to renew additional distributions for schools from the state land trust, and whether to remove archaic school spending limits – voters want to see public schools supported. They also want support for working families.
Arizonans think schools need more funding, a trend that has been steadily increasing since 2021.
When asked how much of a need there is for additional funding for Arizona’s public schools, 77% feel there is “great” (57%) or “some” (20%) need. Only 15% feel there isn’t much of a need, if any at all. This represents the third year in a row of a steady increase since 2021, when voter sentiment was at 71% after the passage of Proposition 208 (it had been at 88% prior to the ballot initiative, during the height of the Red for Ed movement). When asked about the biggest problems facing public schools, the top response was “Lack of adequate funding” (16%) while “teacher shortages and lack of staff” was the third highest response, at 12%.
A ballot measure to increase education funding by renewing Proposition 123 could be successfully passed.
Voters were presented with the options to renew the 6.9% annual distribution from the state land trust, or to return to the prior 2.5% distribution formula when it expires this June. 63% said they would vote “yes” with a full 43% saying they would “definitely vote yes.” Only 22% said they would vote “no” (7%) or “definitely no” (15%). The remaining 16% either didn’t know (10%), leaned yes (5%) or leaned no (1%).
A ballot measure to resolve the AEL issue could be successfully passed.
Many leaders and organizations have pointed to the outdated Aggregate Expenditure Limit (AEL) as a major obstacle to Arizona’s public schools providing a high-quality education that they can be proud of. When asked if there were a statewide ballot measure that would reform the expenditure limit, 56% of Arizonans said they would vote “yes” on it. When asked the same question, but for a ballot measure that would remove the limit altogether, 54% said they would vote “yes.”
Arizonans support additional funding for programs to increase High School Success.
“Ninth Grade on Track” programs focus resources to support high school freshman success based on research regarding the importance of ninth graders finishing their “make or break” year on track to graduate. Students who finish ninth grade with 25% of credits needed to graduate and no more than one semester course failure are more than 3 times more likely to graduate high school. Ninth grade success is a more accurate predictor of high school graduation than poverty or ethnicity. The Arizona Legislature funded $1 million for a one-year grant that schools can apply for to support “Ninth Grade on Track.” When asked about the future of the program, 63% of voters believe it should be continued at the current level (23%), increased to $2 million (15%) or permanently increased to $15 million per year so that every 9th grader can benefit (25%).
Arizonans want to permanently reinstate the Child Tax Rebate.
In 2023, Governor Hobbs and the state legislature passed a one-time child tax rebate of $350 per child, with a total cost to the state of $250 million. This year, 63% of voters want to permanently reinstate it, up from 60% last year.
Arizonans support childcare subsidies for working families.
Finding affordable high-quality childcare is a large issue for parents. Without suitable childcare options, Arizona loses $1.77 billion per year in revenue. Lawmakers could address this by expanding access to childcare and eliminating the current waitlist for childcare subsidies. This would require funding $100 million to the Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Child Care to expand access to quality and affordable care for children and families. 63% of voters support this funding.
Rebecca Gau, Executive Director of Stand for Children Arizona, is not surprised by these results. “Arizonans are feeling the pinch of high prices and lack of resources all around. They clearly see opportunities for state leaders to step up and fund key issues such as schools, childcare, and graduation rates – and put money back in their pockets.”
The survey was conducted December 12-18, 2024, by Tulchin Research.
