PHOENIX , Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Education Forward Arizona is a leader in its ongoing study of post-high school education and training attainment as part of its “Everything to Gain” campaign. announced a new opinion poll. The results show that Arizonans overwhelmingly support specific policy actions by leaders and legislators to increase support and resources to help people earn degrees and certificates. The poll also showed that voters want the candidates they are considering voting for this November to support these policies.
Key findings from respondents include:
Six in 10 voters support “doing more” to increase the percentage of Arizonans who have access to education and training beyond high school. Support for this idea crosses all major demographic groups, including political affiliation, gender, age, race/ethnicity, and income level. 4 Arizonans are more likely to vote for candidates who support Arizona’s achievement goals. Voters strongly support policies that make career/technical education programs and college more accessible and affordable, and there is broad support for increasing the number of Arizona high school students. Complete the FAFSA. Highlights: 95% support expanding access to career training and preparation programs, including apprenticeships, internships, and professional certification training programs 93% support expanding access to advanced placement and dual enrollment courses that allow high school students to earn college credit Support expanding access (64% strongly support)81% support waiving tuition and automatically enrolling eligible students in programs that earn college credit before they graduate from high school
“As we said after the legislative session, this data bears repeating: The state budget missed the mark,” said Rich Nickell, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona. “This data shockingly reveals a fundamental disconnect between policymakers and what Arizonans want from them when it comes to helping advance post-high school education and training attainment. This data should be a wake-up call.”
A recent study, “Billions to Gain,” from Education Forward Arizona and Helios found that if Arizona addressed barriers to postsecondary education, communities could benefit from $5 billion worth of new revenue. It shows. However, for Arizona to achieve new revenue, it is important to meet the Achieve60AZ goal of having 60% of working-age adults receive some form of postsecondary education by 2030. Polling data also showed that more than 60% of Arizona voters support the state “doing more to achieve” this goal.
This is the third in a series of polls designed to better understand the desire for and value of post-high school education and training in Arizona. Initial polls found that Arizona voters across the ideological spectrum overwhelmingly support increasing the percentage of Arizonans with high school degrees or certifications. The second study found that regardless of socioeconomic status, most Arizonans who have not completed a degree or program outside of high school see additional education as valuable, with cost being the only barrier to completion. It turned out that.
This follows multiple editorials and magazine publications calling for more investment in post-high school education by elected business and education leaders in Maricopa, Yuma, Coconino and Pima counties. This follows the joint editorial. Arizona Republic by Diné University President and Navajo Business Leader. Enthusiastic Arizonans have echoed the call, writing multiple letters to local news sources.
This new data is also supported by a recent study, 2024 Arizona Voter Agenda, released by the Arizona Future Center, which is affiliated with Education Forward Arizona, the state education progress meter. Combined with Education Forward Arizona’s research, this study’s findings serve as an irrefutable call to action for elected officials to prioritize education as a key driver of Arizona’s long-term success. It shows. The findings, supported by multiple samples of Arizona voters across two organizations, urge Arizona policymakers to expand educational opportunities and foster economic growth through a highly educated and skilled population. We urge them to quickly present a focused plan to
Read a note summarizing the poll here.
View a slide deck summarizing some of the survey data here.
About Education Forward Arizona
Education Forward Arizona is a statewide education advocacy organization dedicated to championing education as a key driver for improving Arizona’s economy and quality of life. Education Forward Arizona plays a leading role in advancing a shared action plan to advance the state’s Educational Attainment Goal 60AZ and the goals of the Arizona Education Progress Meter. The organization’s work includes mobilizing people and communities to advocate for policies and funding that improve the continuum of educational outcomes from preschool to postsecondary and to serve Arizona’s diverse student population. It also includes providing scholarships and programs that improve post-secondary attainment. For more information, visit EducationForwardArizona.org.
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SOURCE Education Forward Arizona
