The Voice - Student Newspaper

Destined to stay the nation's stupidest state, AZ cuts more education funding

The education system in the state of Arizona is already recognized as being one of the worst in the nation.

Statistically, the state is ranked 35 in spending on higher education and is ranked 49 in spending on k-12 education, according to the newly developed website, www.speakupnowaz.org.

Things apparently do not seem to be getting any better as the Arizona legislature is trying to pass a bill that could potentially cut up to 1.5 billion dollars from the education budget over the next 18 months.

Both the K-12 education system and the universities will feel the effects if the new plan follows through.

According to www.speakupnowaz.org, "the plan would cut state aid for K-12 education by about 900 million dollars." Also, according to www.azcentral.com, "…the proposal would cut about 500 million dollars from university budgets…"

Arizona's education system is already severely struggling as it is. School districts are being forced to make several cutbacks to their institutions as a result of their financial woes.

For example, several school districts in Arizona have threatened to lower the amount of nurses and guidance counselors they have on staff.

Some reports have indicated that schools have had to stop providing students with writing journals and other basic school supplies to assist students in their academics.

As with anything concerning politics, there has been mixed emotions regarding the proposal to make more cutbacks in education.

Most people have made it clear that education funding should be towards the bottom of the list of things to cut. Those against the proposal have also pointed out that such a plan would be detrimental to the state of Arizona and its future, since the leaders of tomorrow are in today's classrooms.

Many of those in favor of the budget cuts have made it clear that during these troubling economic times, the legislature has no choice but to make these cutbacks. To some, this is a step that must be taken to help bring Arizona out its current debt.

When asked of his opinion on the idea of possible budget cuts, Glendale Community College student and business major, John De La O stated, "If they are going to cut funding for the education, they should also cut funding on all the useless projects going on around the state."

Many students from Arizona schools held a protest in front of the state capital building on Jan. 28, to display their opinions on the issue.