2011
Annual Report to the Arizona State Board of Education on the Arizona Move On When Ready Initiative (December 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) submitted an annual report on the Arizona Move On When Ready initiative to the Arizona State Board of Education in December 2011. Access the report here:
Annual Report to the Arizona State Board of Education (December 2011)
The Arizona Move On When Ready Board Examination Systems Information Sessions Featuring
College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate (October 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) recently hosted Move On When Ready information sessions featuring College Board Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate, two of the four providers that have been approved by the Arizona State Board of Education as “upper division” (grades 11/12) aligned instructional systems under the Arizona Move On When Ready model. The session took place on October 4, 2011 in Phoenix.
The presentations from the October information session are available here:
College Board Advanced Placement Presentation Oct. 4, 2011
International Baccalaureate Presentation Oct. 4, 2011
Cavanagh Selected as NCEE Liaison Serving Arizona Schools (September 2011)
Long-time Arizona educator Katy Cavanagh has been selected for the position of engagement manager by the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), Arizona's national partner in implementing the Move On When Ready (MOWR) initiative. Based in Arizona, Cavanagh will work closely with CFA to identify schools interested in implementing MOWR in 2012 and to provide support to early adopter schools in implementation of the model. With more than 20 years of experience in Arizona education, she will bring local knowledge and perspective along with national support for MOWR.
The Arizona Move On When Ready Board Examination Systems Information Sessions Featuring ACT QualityCore (September 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), in collaboration with the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), recently hosted Move On When Ready information sessions featuring ACT QualityCore. Sessions were held on September 15 and 16 in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson. Access the presentations here:
CFA Presentation Sept. 15 & 16, 2011
NCEE Presentation Sept. 15 & 16, 2011
ACT QualityCore Presentation Sept. 15 & 16, 2011
The Arizona Move On When Ready Board Examination Systems Information Sessions Featuring Cambridge International Examinations (August 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA), in collaboration with the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), hosted the Cambridge International Examinations Board Examination System information sessions on Aug. 29 and 30, 2011 in 3 locations across the state, highlighting the performance-based education model designed to graduate every student college- and career-ready through the use of proven, curriculum-driven systems of aligned instruction and examinations coupled with a performance-based diploma. Learn more about the program and access the presentations here:
CFA Presentation Aug. 29 & 30, 2011
NCEE Presentation Aug. 29 & 30, 2011
Cambridge Presentation Aug 29 & 30, 2011
Arizona Community Foundation's John & Delys Ellis Fund Announces MOWR Grant (August 2011)
The Arizona Community Foundation is providing $50,000 from its John & Delys Ellis Fund to support the 17-school Move On When Ready Learning Collaborative, which CFA recently formed. Examples of how the funds may be used include bringing in experts to work collaboratively with the schools in areas of critical importance such as remediation, intervention, rigor and acceleration; hosting an early fall workshop with the 17 schools and other schools considering adopting Move On When Ready in fall 2012; and planning and developing communications to parents and students about Move On When Ready.
The Arizona Move On When Ready Board Examination Systems Information Sessions (August 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona, in collaboration with the National Center on Education and the Economy, is pleased to invite you to the Arizona Move On When Ready Board Examination System information sessions. Move On When Ready is a performance-based education model designed to graduate every student college- and career-ready through the use of proven, curriculum-driven systems of aligned instruction and examinations coupled with a performance-based diploma.
We encourage any schools interested in Move On When Ready to attend the sessions, which will feature the board examination providers. There is no cost to participate and schools are welcome to bring teams of education leaders, instructional specialists, teachers and counselors. The center also welcomes anyone interested in learning more about the Move On When Ready initiative and the related board examination systems to attend. LEARN MORE
17 Arizona Schools to Adopt New "Move On When Ready" Education Model for Graduating Students College- and Career-Ready (August 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona has announced the names of 17 Arizona schools, which will be the first to adopt Move On When Ready, a new performance-based model for high school education designed to increase student academic achievement to national and international levels, and prepare all students for college and careers. Fourteen schools will begin implementing the Move On When Ready initiative this fall. Three schools will begin implementation in fall 2012. The 17 schools are located in the cities of Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tucson, Oro Valley, Yuma, Wickenburg, Glendale, Surprise and El Mirage. The Arizona Community Foundation is providing $50,000 from its John & Delys Ellis Fund to support the 17-school Move On When Ready Learning Collaborative, which CFA recently formed. The Arizona State Board of Education previously selected the Center for the Future of Arizona to work directly with schools to manage and oversee the state's Move On When Ready effort.
“Ready Now Yuma” Whole-School Education Reform Effort Announced (June 2011)
Helios Education Foundation, CFA and Yuma Union High School District have announced "Ready Now Yuma," a collaborative partnership to develop an actionable plan for graduating high school students college- and career-ready. This innovative partnership is framed around the Arizona whole-school Move On When Ready initiative and takes a comprehensive, school-wide approach to ensure all students master a rigorous program of study preparing them for college and careers. Helios is investing $450,000 toward this initiative through a planning grant, enabling CFA and Yuma Union High School District to develop strategies that will require all ninth and 10th grade students to enroll in the Cambridge International Examination instructional system; offer multiple educational pathways for 11th and 12th grade students; provide student academic advising and support; create opportunities for teacher professional development; and provide a thorough research and evaluation component.
Cambridge Board Examination System Training Completed (April 2011)
More than 200 Arizona teachers recently received Cambridge training in preparation for implementing the new Move On When Ready high school education model during the 2011-2012 school year. The three-day professional development training, which focused on mathematics, English, science and world history, was held in Yuma and Phoenix.
MOWR Learning Collaborative Formed (April 2011)
The Center for the Future of Arizona has established the Move On When Ready Learning Collaborative, a network of 15 schools participating in Move On When Ready beginning in fall 2011 and fall 2012. The Learning Collaborative will facilitate communication and collaboration across schools, leading to increased capacity building at the school level. In addition, the Learning Collaborative will enable CFA to document activities, innovations, and alternate processes taking place in various school sites. This, in turn, will expand the knowledge base regarding what promotes or hinders the planning and implementation process, strengthening the effort across all early adopter schools. The first meeting of the collaborative was held in early April.
MOWR Trailer Bill Signed Into Law (April 2011)
Governor Brewer signed into law SB 1451 on April 28, 2011. SB 1451 clarifies aspects of the 2010 Move On When Ready legislation. It states that students in schools implementing Move On When Ready who become eligible for the new, performance-based Grand Canyon High School Diploma are not required to graduate early, nor are they automatically issued a diploma. SB 1451 does not make any changes to the concept or intent of Move On When Ready, which is to significantly enhance the proportion of Arizona students who graduate from high school college- and career-ready.
Wickenburg School District Awarded $500,000 Grant for MOWR (March 2011)
The Wellik Foundation awarded a five-year, $500,000 grant to the Wickenburg Unified School District to plan and implement a school-wide Move On When Ready strategy utilizing ACT QualityCore, and a summer bridge program for students who need academic improvement. Planning will take place during the 2011-2012 school year, with implementation of MOWR to begin in fall 2012.
School Site Visits Provide Insights, Information (March 2011)
CFA and Cambridge International Examinations representatives from the United States and the United Kingdom recently participated in a three-day site visit of Greater Phoenix and Yuma schools planning to implement the board examination system in fall 2011. The group observed a variety of classroom instruction, met with school leadership and teachers, and discussed teacher needs relative to professional development and support materials.
Implementation Planning Underway (February 2011)
CFA representatives have conducted an initial needs assessment of schools and districts interested in offering the Grand Canyon High School Diploma, approved last year as a provision of the Move On When Ready legislation. The 2012-2013 school year is the first year students will be eligible to receive the diploma.
Legislative Action (February 2011)
The Senate Education Committee approved SB 1451, which provides clarifying language regarding last year's Move On When Ready legislation. No changes to the overall concept are being sought.
CFA Receives $450,000 Helios Planning Grant (January 2011)
CFA has received a $450,000 planning grant from Helios Education Foundation to develop an actionable implementation plan to assist schools wishing to implement the Move On When Ready education reform model school-wide. CFA will develop the plan over the next 18 months.
State Board of Education Actions (January 2011)
Several meetings and presentations were held in January, including a public meeting to review the rules for the Grand Canyon High School Diploma, and other aspects of the Move On When Ready Initiative. The State Board approved a list of board examination system providers and the minimum requirements for a Grand Canyon Diploma.
2010
Collaborative Work Sessions Underway (December 2010)
CFA in November and December held work sessions with education stakeholders across the state to identify areas of the Move On When Ready initiative to be worked on in the coming months. CFA also continued to work with the State Board of Education to put in place the Grand Canyon High School Diploma and board examination systems, key components of Move On When Ready.
October
CFA Selected by State Board of Education (October 2010)
The Arizona State Board of Education has selected the Center for the Future of Arizona to work directly with all Arizona schools interested in implementing Move On When Ready on their campuses. Among other duties, CFA will work through 2015 on a no-fee basis to provide technical support and general supervision over the board examination system that is a component of the Grand Canyon High School Diploma.
Teachers Participate in Tucson Focus Group (August 2010)
Twenty-six teachers representing six Tucson-area districts attended an August 25 focus group at the Vail School District Education Center. The session provided an opportunity for teachers to learn about the Move On When Ready model and related board examination systems. They provided feedback that will be used by the Center for the Future of Arizona to further develop the initiative.
CFA Launches Focus Groups for Feedback on Move On When Ready (June 2010)
The first focus group to provide feedback on the Move On When Ready model and board examination systems was held June 30 in the metro Phoenix area.
Planning Year Kicks Off with Day-long Summit (May 2010)
CFA hosted a day-long Move On When Ready summit on May 7, which was attended by more than 130 representatives from preK-12, community colleges, universities, career and technical education, business, philanthropy, and elected officials.
Move On When Ready Bill (HB 2731) Ready for Governor’s Signature (April 2010)
The Move On When Ready bill was approved by the Senate and received final concurrence in the House on April 28. It provides Arizona high school students the opportunity to perform at national and internationally benchmarked academic standards and to move on to full-time college, or career and technical study, when they demonstrate they are capable of performing at this level. CFA, under the leadership of Executive Director Sybil Francis, played a major role in bringing the idea of "move on when ready" and the related board examination systems to Arizona.
Arizona Educators Continue to Show Strong Interest (March 2010)
House Education Committee Chair Rich Crandall met in early March with approximately 20 district superintendents and school principals to answer questions regarding legislation to advance the Move On When Ready concept. The event was hosted by the Center for the Future of Arizona.
Move On When Ready Bill Clears House (March 2010)
The Move On When Ready Bill (HB 2731) on March 22 was unanimously approved by the House members present. It seeks to raise academic achievement for all students, allowing them to advance based on demonstrated academic achievement and, when ready, pursue one of several optional education pathways.
House Education Committee Passes Move On When Ready Bill (HB 2731) (February 2010)
The bill was heard by the House Education Committee on February 15 and passed by a unanimous vote of those present. It was introduced by House Education Committee Chairman Rich Crandall.
CFA Executive Director Testifies on Move On When Ready Approach (February 2010)
Dr. Sybil Francis testified before the Arizona House and Senate Education Committees in support of the Move On When Ready approach in which students advance at their own pace through high school and pursue various college and career options once they have demonstrated mastery of academic material through their performance on board examination systems.
2009
CFA Symposium Explores How to Help Students Reach Higher Academic Standards (November 2009)
The Center for the Future of Arizona in November and December hosted a three-part series of informational sessions to explore how board examination systems can help students reach higher levels of academic performance and "move on when ready" from high school to postsecondary study. The featured board examination providers included ACT QualityCore, Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson/Edexcel. Education stakeholders from across the state participated in the meetings to learn more about these complete instructional systems. The center is actively identifying schools interested in piloting these systems.
CFA Recommends Board Examination Systems to Improve Student Academic Performance (November 2009)
Dr. Sybil Francis at a November presentation to the Task Force on Standards and Assessments of the P-20 Coordinating Council recommended that Arizona schools adopt a board examination system to dramatically improve student academic performance. CFA has identified a number of Arizona school districts that are interested in participating in a demonstration of board examination systems that would hold students to national and international standards.
Marc Tucker, Education Leaders Discuss Establishing a New Educational Model (October 2009)
Marc Tucker, president of the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), in October met with Arizona education leaders from K-12, community colleges and universities, as well as government and business representatives. The group discussed establishing a new educational model that provides support to teachers and students in reaching higher academic standards by utilizing internationally benchmarked instructional systems and assessments (tests). Options include ACT Quality Core, Cambridge International Examinations and Pearson/Edexcel.
“Tough Choices or Tough Times” Summit (June 2009)
Joined by a small Arizona delegation, CFA Executive Director Sybil Francis and Director Amanda Burke participated in a two-day summit in Washington, D.C. It was offered by the National Center on Education and the Economy, Arizona’s national partner for this initiative. The meetings focused on internationally benchmarked student board examinations and related curriculum that states such as Arizona can consider implementing. The Arizona delegation included Arizona Department of Education partners Dr. Karen Butterfield, Cheryl Lebo and Roberta Alley, and Representative Rich Crandall.
Arizona Takes Major Step Towards Education Reform (March 2009)
Arizona has joined a national consortium of six states committed to significantly improving student achievement through changes to the state education system. The primary goal of the reform agenda is to better prepare all students for college and career by the time they leave high school.
The Center for the Future of Arizona is leading Arizona's group of private education stakeholders participating in the consortium. It will work in partnership with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) to incorporate elements of the world’s most successful education systems in Arizona schools. The initiative is based on the key recommendations of the “Tough Choices or Tough Times” research study released in 2006 by the New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce.