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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Report: AZ Makes Degree Attainment Progress; More Work Needed

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Thursday, February 16, 2023   

Arizona is one of the states seeing a significant increase in degree attainment from 2019 to 2021, according to a new report.

The Lumina Foundation Stronger Nation Report found about 54% of Arizona adults have a postsecondary degree or workforce certification, coming in slightly above the national average.

The report states Arizona will not only have to maintain current rates of attainment, but also significantly increase the number of people who enroll in postsecondary programs.

Tom Horne, Arizona's newly reelected superintendent of public instruction, said he is focused on ensuring Arizona high school students have the tools and knowledge they need to continue their education or find well-paying jobs after graduation.

"The academic performance in elementary and high school is the determining factor, really, about how well students will be prepared for higher education or for jobs," Horne explained. "Our goal is students be either college or career ready."

The report states Arizona's overall rate of education attainment has increased almost 20 percentage points since 2009. Despite the progress made, Horne noted two-thirds of Arizona students are not proficient in math and about 60% lack proficiency in reading. He called the situation a "disaster and an emergency," ultimately affecting higher degree attainment.

Courtney Brown, vice president of strategic impact at the Lumina Foundation for Education, said while it is good news attainment among adults of all races and ethnicities increased across the country, the data showed attainment rates for people of color persistently lag national averages.

In Arizona, almost 50% attainment is seen in white Arizonans. Hispanics, African Americans and American Indian and Alaska Natives in the state also saw percentage increases in attainment from 2019 to 2021, but Brown contended those figures need to be higher.

"So, while we are making good progress, it is not sufficient enough," Brown asserted. "We really need to focus on ensuring that they have equitable opportunities so that we see these increase at a much higher rate."

The Arizona counties with the highest levels of attainment in working-age adults are Pima, Maricopa and Coconino.

Disclosure: The Lumina Foundation for Education contributes to our fund for reporting on Education. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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