The success of Arizona’s students, in competing in a knowledge-based global economy, is dependent upon the quality of education in our state.   Although there are many successes to be celebrated, our students are falling behind their national and international peers in academic performance, high school graduation rates and postsecondary completion.

As an educator, you play a critical role in ensuring that Arizona’s children are receiving the highest quality education from birth to career and ensuring that they are ready for success in each stage of the education continuum. And in today’s global economy, this commitment to strengthen education is more important than ever.   

Regardless of where you stand on Arizona’s rankings and performance, there’s no question that we need to do everything possible to ensure our students are graduating with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete, contribute and succeed in the 21st Century.

Here are seven ways you can support the success of Arizona’s students:

 

Understand Your Student’s Place in the Education Continuum - Educators at each stage of the education continuum - Ealry Learning, K-12 and Postsecondary - are critical to every student's academic success. Ensure that you are preparing your students for each stage of the education experience by focusing on the academics, knowledge and skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.  

 

Expect More - Studies show that students rise to the occasion when we expect more. Educators who set high standards for their students while providing them with encouragement and support have the ability to influence academic performance as well as college-going attitudes.

 

Focus on Curriculum Rigor - In order to help prepare students for the challenges of the 21^st century, we need to be bold in our expectations.  As an educator, your commitment to strong, challenging curriculum will provide the knowledge base that Arizona students will need to succeed in the future. 

 

Help Your Students Plan for the Future - As an educator, you play an important role in each child’s life. You have the opportunity to challenge, encourage and inspire. Help your students think about their future – from career aspirations to qualities that define a successful life. Encourage them to make decisions that will help them achieve their end goals. 

 

Advocate for Education - Every student deserves to be challenged, supported and inspired at every stage of the education continuum. Be a voice for your students within the community-at-large by encouraging increased investment and support of quality education.

 

Invest in Your Own Professional Growth and Development - Take advantage of every opportunity to learn more, refine your skills or advance in your profession.  Whether participating in workshops, pursuing an advanced degree or earning National Board Certification, there are a variety of training and development programs available to help you continue to grow and thrive as an educator.  In the end, it's a win-win for you and your students! 

 

Stay Informed - Being aware of what is happening in the field of education is critical for educators in our state. Monitoring issues, trends, data and most importantly, student achievement will help you make the best decisions for your classroom and your student’s academic success.