Unlocking Arizona’s Future: How to Achieve Our Education Attainment Goals Together

In 2016, Arizona set an ambitious goal to boost education levels. The aim was to have 60% of adults aged 25 to 64 hold a certificate or degree by 2030. This initiative, called Achieve60AZ, reflects the state’s drive for economic growth and competitiveness.

Fast forward to today, Arizona has achieved a 6% increase, bringing the total to 48%. With around 4.3 million adults in this age group, the state now needs an additional 500,000 degrees or certificates in just five years to meet its target.

This challenge should be a priority for both Arizona’s government leaders and business community. There’s a strong case for action. Research from Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona shows that:

• If Arizona boosts postsecondary enrollment by 20%, the state could see over $5 billion in yearly economic gains.
• Closing the education gap for underrepresented groups could bring in nearly $8.7 billion.
• Higher education levels lead to increased revenue and lower public spending.
• Individuals benefit personally through better earnings, healthier lives, and greater community engagement.

It’s clear that increasing degrees and certifications is vital for the state’s economy and quality of life. Public support is strong, as shown by the Everything to Gain campaign. Polling indicates that:

• 95% of voters want more career training programs.
• 93% back expanding advanced placement and dual enrollment courses.
• 89% favor increasing online education for working adults and those in rural areas.

Despite this evidence, leaders in Arizona aren’t doing enough to reach the Achieve60AZ goal. In her State of the State Address, Governor Katie Hobbs expressed her vision for “Arizona’s Promise,” a future where families can thrive and children have better opportunities. However, the current budget proposal falls short of what’s needed to create the degrees and skills Arizona requires for economic growth.

The budget does restore some funding to programs that were cut, but it doesn’t do enough to push the attainment goal forward. Significant investments in dual enrollment and financial aid are overdue. For instance, funding for dual enrollment is only 30% of what it was two years ago. This program helps high school students earn college credits, making college more attainable.

Arizona’s only statewide financial aid program, also named Arizona Promise, has a budget of $40 million. While that seems substantial, the state needs to invest much more to truly make higher education affordable and accessible. In fact, many other states invest hundreds of millions to support their financial aid programs.

Restoring previous funding is not enough. Arizona needs bold leadership that thinks beyond past cuts. We require a commitment to provide high-quality education for every student, no matter where they live. This means holding the education system accountable and creating pathways to success for all students.

Fulfill Arizona’s promise and unlock economic potential through education. With the right leadership, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to earn the credentials that lead to a brighter future.

Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, and John Fees, co-founder and CEO of NextGen Insurance Group, are advocates for improving educational access in Arizona.

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