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August 21, 2008

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Report Card

Is your legislator on the honor roll or did they earn a C, D or worse?

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K-12 Funding Index

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Spending Watch

The Arizona Spending Watch shows the state government spends its fiscal year 2008 budget of $27 billion at a rate of $855 per second.

Basis v. Horne was settled out of court on October 15th, 2007.  The merits of the case were never decided. The question of the Superintendent's authority to impose curriculum alignment remains unresolved. 

Settlement Highlights:

  • Settlement preserves the right of the plaintiff charter schools to teach their curriculum.
  • The state will create alternate Social Studies standards based on the plaintiff schools' proven curricula.
  • Settlement allows all charter schools in the state to choose the alternate Social Studies standards.
  • Settlement allows all charter schools to teach subject matter in grades ahead of the state standards.
  • The question of the Superintendent's authority to impose curriculum alignment is unresolved

The Goldwater Institute will continue to stand up for parental choice and charter school autonomy.

Case background:

On June 22, 2007 the Goldwater Institute filed suit against the Arizona Department of Education on behalf of five charter schools.  The Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constititutional Litigation will represent BASIS Tucson, BASIS Scottsdale, and the Great Hearts Academies: Veritas Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Chandler Preparatory Academy and Mesa Preparatory Academy. These schools include four of the ten highest-performing public schools in the state based on AIMS test scores. The Arizona Department of Education wants these charter schools to conform to state-wide education curriculum which jeopardizes the independence granted to the charter schools by the state legislature.

View press releases below:

The Stakes:

  • Independence of charter school curriculum from the Arizona Department of Education bureaucracy.
  • More educational opportunity for Arizona schoolchildren through charter schools.

Case Timeline:

  • June 22, 2007.  Case filed with Maricopa Superior County Court.
  • August 6, 2007.  Preliminary hearing at Maricopa Superior County Court at 11 am.
  • August 7, 2007.  Judge Miles denies request for injunction on procedural grounds. Merits of case to be decided at a later date.
  • August 22, 2007.  Amended complaint adds the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools as defendant.
  • October 15, 2007.  ADE agrees to settle lawsuit with charter schools.

Case Documents: 

Media Coverage:

How can I help?

  • The stakes are high, help build positive press. Write letters to the editor for your local newspaper and let them know how you feel.
  • The Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Constitutional Litigation Center is able to defend your constitutional freedom because of the generous donations of private individuals.  R. Evan Scharf and John R. Norton III have arranged for a $1 million challenge grant to establish and fund the Goldwater Institute Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.  To donate to the litigation center or become a member of the Goldwater Institute, please call Jenn Bryson at (602) 462-5000.

Learn more about the Goldwater Institute’s Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.