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John Huppenthal:
A Proven Record of Improving Arizona Schools
When it comes to improving the quality of education for Arizona’s children, Senator John Huppenthal has a record
that is second to none. In fact, by working with Democrats and Republicans, Senator Huppenthal has sponsored and successfully helped pass more bills
than any other legislator in Arizona history.
Below is a partial listing of accomplishments by Senator John Huppenthal that have helped improve the quality of education in Arizona:
Legislation Allowing More Choices for Parents
Senator Huppenthal has been a leader in expanding school choice in Arizona. In 1995, as Senate Education Committee
Chairman, his legislation took the caps off charter school enrollment. This legislation moved Arizona to first in the nation in school choice (ALEC
rankings). Thanks to Senator Huppenthal thousands of students now attend charter schools – schools which did not even exist when Senator
Huppenthal began in the legislature. In addition, Senator Huppenthal was instrumental in passing Arizona’s successful Tuition Tax Credit law.
Performance Pay for Teachers
Senator Huppenthal helped establish performance pay for teachers at Chandler, Kyrene and Tempe schools.
Through the Career Ladder program and Proposition 301, each teacher in the Tempe Union and Kyrene districts receives as much as $8,000 additional pay tied
by measured performance.
Since performance pay began, the percentage of parents rating their child’s school as “excellent” in the
Kyrene district has risen from 32% to 58%. In the Chandler district, the percentage of parents rating their child’s school as “excellent” has risen from
36% to 48%.
Educating Our Deaf and Blind Students
Senator Huppenthal visits our schools for deaf and blind students every year. Because of his legislation,
these schools now have the very best technology for educating deaf and blind students. He also implemented performance pay at these schools, increasing
the percentage of parents that rate their child’s school as “excellent” to 72%.
Legislation Removing Unfunded Mandates
Senator Huppenthal removed 47 unfunded mandates from state law, returning control of the schools to
local school boards.
School Budget Reforms
Senator Huppenthal changed state law to allow schools with money unspent
at the end of the year to move that money to the next year’s budget. Previously, schools had to either spend that money in the last weeks of
the school year or lose the money. This old policy was encouraging unwise and inefficient spending. The new policy helps ensure tax dollars
are put to the best use possible: helping children in the classroom.
Scientific Measurement of School Results
Senator Huppenthal successfully pioneered scientific measurement of school performance. Under his
leadership, schools now measure the percentage of parents and students rating the quality of education “excellent,” the percentage of teachers rating
their school an “excellent place to work,” the percentage of students making a full year’s academic gain and the total academic gain for schools.
School District Accountability
Under Senator Huppenthal’s leadership and legislation, Arizona became the first state in the nation
to measure school district results, not just school by school results. This data is now published on the Arizona Department of Education website for both
academic results and quality as rated by parents.
Vocational Education
Senator Huppenthal was honored as Legislator of the Year by the Arizona Vocational Education Association
for his legislation reducing paperwork and bureaucracy for federal grants.
Education of Children with Autism
Senator Huppenthal helped establish a model summer school for children with autism, helped bring the
best research to Arizona for educating these special children and then helped greatly expand treatment for these children.
Current-Year Funding
Senator Huppenthal successfully passed current-year funding of our schools to enable school districts
to be funded based on total student count.
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Thank you, Senator Huppenthal!
“Almost every Arizonan knows someone with a child with
autism. Senator Huppenthal is a friend and advocate for all
of them! Senator Huppenthal has made a decade-long
commitment to advancing the cause of educating children with
autism. He brought in grants to help start a model summer
school specifically to support children with autism. Senator
Huppenthal provided funding for bringing the best
educational research to Arizona, and most importantly
Senator Huppenthal helped pass legislation greatly expanding
opportunities for my child and all children with autism.
On behalf of many Arizona families: Thank you, Senator
Huppenthal, for believing in my child’s potential. You put
our hopes into action!”
Audra Small
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Audra Small and her daughter, Sophia. |
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