Expect More Arizona In The News

Check back frequently for the latest News Releases related to education and the Expect More Arizona movement across the state.  If you have questions about the News Releases posted, call us 602.682.2093 (Maricopa County) or 1.866.972.6447 (Statewide) or email us at media@ExpectMoreArizona.org.

NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Pati Urias, Expect More Arizona, (602) 568.9763, pati@expectmorearizona.org
EXPECT MORE ARIZONA SETS GOAL TO REACH 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS WITH “VOTE 4 EDUCATION” MESSAGE BEFORE PRIMARY ELECTIONS
50 organizations, 1,000 volunteers challenged to join effort

(Phoenix, AZ) Are your candidates “4 Education”? That is the question nonprofit group Expect More Arizona wants voters across the state to consider this upcoming weekend, August 21st and 22nd, the last before the state’s primary elections. Expect More Arizona is challenging 50 other nonprofit groups and companies statewide to recruit 20 volunteers each to distribute “Vote 4 Education” campaign materials in their own neighborhoods. Individuals who are not affiliated with any particular organization are also welcomed and encouraged to take part in the “50,000 Households” weekend walk.

Activating 1,000 volunteers on August 21st and 22nd means each person will only have 50 households to visit to distribute literature, about five blocks for neighborhoods with ten homes. The goal of the 50,000 household challenge is to get education top-of-mind as voters complete their mail in ballots and head to the polls, as well as to focus candidates on its importance as we move toward the November general election.
“Vote 4 Education” is Expect More Arizona’s voter outreach initiative, launched in April of this year to rally the state’s electorate about the urgency in making education the priority in the 2010 election cycle. Along with online voter resources, “Vote 4 Education” urges Arizonans to cast ballots in both the primary and general elections, use their votes to support education (such as voting “no” on November’s Proposition 302), and ensure the candidates they choose are unwavering advocates for education.

Volunteers will assemble at a variety of locations across the state and spread out to have the most impact. They will be equipped with “Vote 4 Education” campaign door hangers (much like political candidates or local merchants advertise their messages), information cards and other collateral that promote the importance of making education a priority. The materials also list the steps voters can take to ensure their votes are “4 Education.”

“Our polling shows people are concerned about education in our state and are frustrated with their elected leaders when it comes to delivering on the promises they make about education,” said Paul J. Luna, board chairman of Expect More Arizona. “The elections are the perfect opportunity for voters to ask tough questions to gauge their candidates’ commitment to education and to make it known that it’s critically important to them.”

Before Arizonans vote - whether early, by mail or at the polls, “Vote 4 Education” encourages voters to ask themselves about their candidates:

1. Is education one of their top two priorities?
2. Do they have a clear plan with specific strategies for how they will address the biggest issues affecting education in our state?
3. Are they willing to invest resources in education to support Arizona’s long-term success?
4. How will they challenge Arizonans to expect more and do more for education?

To join the effort to reach 50,000 households on August 21st and 22nd, contact Donna Davis, Outreach and Mobilization Coordinator, at Donna@ExpectMoreArizona.org. By phone, call 602.682.2093 in the Valley or 1.866.972.6447 statewide. Volunteers will be provided with “Vote 4 Education” t-shirts, materials and instructions the morning of the “50,000 Households” walk.

Expect More Arizona is a statewide, nonpartisan partnership dedicated to making education Arizona’s top priority. The Partnership is creating a movement of Arizonans who are better informed about the issues affecting education, and thus, are more actively engaged in strengthening the entire continuum – from birth through career. For more information, visit our voter resource page at www.ExpectMoreArizona.org.

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Expect More Arizona is a statewide public-private partnership dedicated to creating a movement of Arizonans who value education as our state’s top priority and are actively engaged in strengthening the entire continuum from birth through career. To learn more, visit www.ExpectMoreArizona.org.
Paid for by Expect More Arizona – Vote 4 Education. Major funding by Expect More Arizona, a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.

NEWS RELEASE
June 17, 2010
Contact: Pati Urias, Expect More Arizona, 602.568.9763, pati@expectmorearizona.org
EXPECT MORE ARIZONA POLL FINDS EDUCATION REMAINS HOT ISSUE WITH ARIZONANS
Voters “concerned,” appear ready to take action to improve education
(Phoenix, AZ) Even as the Arizona economy, immigration and other election-related issues dominate public attention this election cycle, a recent statewide poll finds Arizonans have not lost sight of education as a major priority. The survey, conducted on behalf of Expect More Arizona, shows that voters are concerned about the current state of education, disappointed in elected leaders and worried that the quality of the entire system costs Arizona economic and growth opportunities.

The bipartisan, statewide voter survey was conducted by national polling firms, Lake Research Partners and American Viewpoint, Inc. When questioned about the quality of the state‟s education offerings, most Arizona voters expressed pessimistic feelings, with a plurality saying they are “concerned” (43%), followed by “frustrated” (15%) and “unhappy” (12%). Only 13 percent chose positive words, such as “satisfied,” “optimistic” or “happy.”

Lake Research pollster, Joshua Ulibarri, says the Expect More Arizona survey also found a notable trend in voters‟ sentiments about how the quality of education has changed over the past five years. “In similar polls in other states, when people want to express frustration, they generally say the education system is „staying the same.‟ In Arizona, voters have tipped all the way to the more critical description of viewing Arizona education as getting worse.”

Specifically, the Arizona poll found: Forty-four percent believe the quality of education is „declining‟ and 38 percent say they believe education has not changed. Along the same line of questioning, a majority – 70 percent – described the quality of the statewide system as just fair or poor, but believe their regions are doing marginally better, with 43 percent ranking their local education system as excellent/good, and half rating it just fair/poor.

Respondents are also fully aware of the link between a solid education system and the success of the state‟s economic future: Forty-three percent ranked the economy and education as the most important issues facing Arizona. In fact, nine-tenths indicate they agree economic development and job growth rely heavily on improving education across the entire continuum, and especially at the K-12 and higher education levels. Further, fewer than half (48%) said they believe Arizona is a good place for young people to start a career, a troubling statistic, given that Arizona‟s college graduates are the critical workforce pipeline for a variety of the state‟s current and future knowledge-based industries.
“Arizonans have for years said they want a high-quality education system, even before it became as critical as it is now to compete in the 21st century economy,” said Paul J. Luna, Chairman of the Board of Expect More Arizona. “We are finding that across the board, people are ready to take action; they realize the quality of education impacts their quality of life.”

When asked to rate elected officials on the job they have done in improving education, respondents overwhelmingly expressed dissatisfaction with their state (85%) and local (79%) elected leaders, saying they have done “just fair” or “poor.” Nearly three-quarters saying they don‟t believe their elected officials are held accountable for their actions on education. However, there is an indication that voters are willing to make education a priority when casting ballots: Some 62 percent of those questioned say education will be one of their most or very important issue this election year.

When it comes to taking responsibility for improving education, more than three-quarters of those questioned (79%) said teachers have a great deal of responsibility, followed by parents (72%). Additionally, voters say others in government play a significant role: the Arizona Department of Education (73%), the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (70%), state lawmakers (62%) as a whole, the governor (56%) and their own state legislative representatives (55%). Nearly all of the survey‟s participants (92%) said they believe they, too, assume at least some responsibility for improving education in the state.

The collective findings indicate that Arizonans are not satisfied with the state‟s failure to prioritize education and may be more easily mobilized to demand more of themselves and their leaders.

“Arizonans are telling us they want a higher bar, and we are urging them to help effect change, get involved and be a voice for education – through community action and at the ballot box,” said Nicole Magnuson, Expect More Arizona Executive Director. “Arizonans have made it clear they know education is everyone‟s business, and they are ready to make a change for the better.”

The poll results come as Expect More Arizona elevates its “Vote 4 Education” campaign, an election year effort to promote education as a hot-button issue with voters. “Vote 4 Education” was inspired by Arizonans‟ desire to create an education-first culture statewide – promoting the importance of higher expectations and motivating widespread community engagement in improving education. The campaign encourages the state‟s electorate to equip themselves with questions and information to determine whether candidates at all levels of government are truly pro-education. “Vote 4 Education” is statewide and will support education-related ballot measures, but is nonpartisan and will NOT endorse candidates. To learn more, visit www.ExpectMoreArizona.org and click on the “Vote 4 Education” resource page.

The Expect More Arizona poll was conducted in late April 2010 by telephone, using a statewide sample of 750 Arizona voters. The margin of error is +/- 4.9%.

For more detailed poll information, please see click here for the results in PDF.
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About Expect More Arizona: Expect More Arizona is a statewide public-private partnership dedicated to creating a movement of Arizonans who value education as our state’s top priority and are actively engaged in strengthening the entire continuum from birth through career. To learn more, visit www.ExpectMoreArizona.org.
Paid for by Expect More Arizona - Vote 4 Education Yes on 100 & Protect Early Childhood Health/Development Funds. Major funding by Expect More Arizona, a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2010
Contact:  Pati Urias, Expect More Arizona, 602.568.9763, pati@expectmorearizona.org

EXPECT MORE ARIZONA, COMMUNITY PARTNERS LAUNCH  “VOTE 4 EDUCATION” CAMPAIGN
Effort geared toward elevating education into top election priority

(PHOENIX, AZ)  As candidates at all levels of government announce their election campaigns for public office, Expect More Arizona and its community and business partners today launched a grassroots “Vote 4 Education” campaign, geared toward motivating voters to make education their “hot button issue” throughout this election season.  The business and community leaders representing a variety of Arizona industries present at the public announcement voiced their commitment to heavily championing education over the next six months, leading up to the general election.

The “Vote 4 Education” campaign is prompted by growing concern among community leaders and citizens that education is not valued as highly as it should by our elected officials.  The sentiment is supported by the results of a statewide voter poll commissioned by Expect More Arizona and conducted by Lake Research, a national polling firm.    

The survey found a plurality of Arizonans are “greatly concerned” about education in Arizona and view its quality as declining, not improving.  In fact, most felt Arizona’s education system is worse than others across the nation and the globe, that expectations for academic success are too low, and that elected officials are not doing enough to make the situation better.  Comprehensive results of the poll will be released within the next several weeks.

 “As business leaders, we view a high quality education system as the key to an economically prosperous Arizona,” commented Phil Francis, president/CEO of PetSmart.  “Our ability to grow and diversify business in across our state as well as attract new high-wage jobs depends on a better educated workforce.”  

The Maricopa County event is one of four taking place across Arizona over the next week.  At all events, business and community leaders, acting as Expect More Arizona’s candidates, are speaking out about the importance of education as a priority for all Arizonans, particularly when casting ballots for propositions, school-related special elections or candidates for public office.

“As key policy and budget decisions continue to be made at a state level that impact education, it is more important than ever before to make education a key factor in every vote,” said Michael Bidwill, president of the Arizona Cardinals.  “Arizona’s economic future depends on a quality education system and we must elect leaders who will make it their priority.”

Mimicking a political campaign, the grassroots “Vote 4 Education” effort will engage community leaders promoting the importance of education as a hot button issue throughout the election season.  Additionally, public awareness materials such as social media buttons, door hangers, posters, flyers and campaign signs touting “Are They 4 Education?” and “Vote 4 Education” will be displayed alongside campaign sign farms statewide.  A special voter section on ExpectMoreArizona.org will be the central portal to information about the election year, resources to stay informed this election season and “Vote 4 Education” materials.  

Expect More Arizona will NOT endorse candidates for office through its “Vote 4 Education” effort; rather, it will urge Arizonans to ask themselves following 4 key questions when selecting candidates:

•    Is education one of their top two priorities?

•    Do they have a clear plan with specific strategies for how they will address the biggest issues affecting education in our state?

•    Are they willing to invest resources in education to support Arizona’s long-term success?

•    How will they challenge Arizonans to expect more and do more for education?

“Raising the bar and prioritizing education in our state cannot wait any longer,” said Cathleen A. Barton, SW/US Education Manager, Intel Corporation.  “We have to start viewing education as an investment, not an expense in order to ensure our students are prepared to compete and succeed in today’s global economy.”

For too long, Arizona has ranked near the bottom in terms of student achievement and student investment, most recently scoring a C- on the latest Quality Counts 2010 report, an annual and highly-respected analysis of the state of education across the country.  Overall, the report ranked Arizona #46 out of the 50 states and District of Columbia.  Quality Counts is compiled and released each year by the nonprofit group, Editorial Projects in Education.  

 “There is no question - how you vote matters when it comes to education,” said Paul J. Luna, Chairman of Expect More Arizona.  “For the past year, we have engaged thousands of citizens in taking action to make a difference in raising the bar for education – from birth through career; now we urge voters to make education a priority at election time.”

Expect More Arizona is making all “Vote 4 Education” campaign materials available to community volunteers and organizations online at www.ExpectMoreArizona.org.  

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Expect More Arizona is a statewide public-private partnership dedicated to creating a movement of Arizonans who value education as our state’s top priority and are actively engaged in strengthening the entire continuum from birth through career.  To learn more, visit www.ExpectMoreArizona.org.

Paid for by Expect More Arizona – Vote 4 Education.  Major funding by Expect More Arizona, a fund of the Arizona Community Foundation.