The greatest honor of my life has been to serve as your Superintendent.  I am very proud of the work we've done together, the great partnerships and relationships we've built, and the innovative and effective education you have provided to students.

During my term as the Superintendent of Public Instruction, it became evident to me that Arizona's educators are among the finest, the brightest, the most resourceful, and above all, determined to provide students with the very best education. In the face of challenging times, Arizona's education community has made enormous strides in providing high quality education to its students. As I have travelled around the state visiting your schools, I saw the enormity and power your work has on each child's life. It is true - the work you are doing is truly remarkable and inspiring.

Although there will be changes coming to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), I want you to understand that nothing has changed in terms of meeting the needs of the students, schools, teachers, administrators, adult learners and the many others that are the focus of ADE's programs and services.  ADE personnel and I will continue to focus on the work that needs to be done and will continue to provide the highest level of service. It is my commitment to the education community that we continue to make a greater difference in the education opportunities for all students for the duration of my term.

In the next months ADE will be talking about how we can continue our work with the same commitment and dedication we have always shown, while smoothly and effectively transitioning into the visions of the next administration.

Sincerely,

John Huppenthal

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ADE Establishes New Community Engagement Initiative

On August 29, 2014, the Arizona Department of Education began its Community Engagement Initiative. The program highlights partnerships within the community that will encourage academic achievement and also create a safe and comfortable environment for students while decreasing juvenile crime.

For the first year of the initiative, the ADE will focus its efforts on the Phoenix metropolitan zip codes 85040, 85042, 85033 and the area immediately surrounding Grand Canyon University. The Community Engagement Initiative will provide pilot schools with resources that offer solutions concerning the reduction of crime among juveniles, give the schools the opportunity to network with community leaders, and encourage higher academic achievement in students. Research shows that the partnerships and community participation will give students the opportunity for greater success by removing obstacles that may hinder academic achievement.

"This is an opportunity for us to all come together, utilize each other as resources, and tap into networks in our own neighborhood for the betterment of our students and community," said Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal.

Presently, Grand Canyon University, the Phoenix Police Department, the City of Prosecutor's Office, the Maryvale Revitalization Corporation, and Shared Hope International are in partnership with the initiative. It is overseen by a committee of 19 diverse individuals with an array of professional backgrounds.

If you are interested in learning more about these partnerships, please contact Christopher Dickinson at Christopher.Dickinson@azed.gov.

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The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. Each year, up to 141 students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.

ADE is pleased to announce that it is now accepting student applications for this year's U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship. This program will provide two outstanding Arizona high school juniors or seniors with a $5,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet their nation's leaders. Winners will be chosen by a panel of prominent government representatives following a detailed civics exam and an interview with the panel.

School coordinators will be asked to administer the qualifying exam within a tight window of time, not only to ensure the integrity of the exam, but also to prevent the necessity of students' travel to the Arizona Department of Education's office in Phoenix.

All applications are due to ADE by Monday, October 20, 2014.

The following time-line will be observed: 

For more information and to access the program application, please visit our web site at www.azed.gov/constituent-services/us-youth/.

Thank you for your support of this unique program. Please do not hesitate to e-mail your questions to Karla.Bravo@azed.gov. 

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Thank you to everyone who participated in last month's survey! In case you missed it, we are asking you to participate in a brief, three question survey about the implementation of Arizona's College and Career Ready Standards (AZCCRS) in order to help us design future correspondence and professional development.

 

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