Arizona Voters’ Longstanding Priorities Add Up to a Comprehensive Education Agenda

Arizona voters have shown remarkable and consistent strong agreement on what they want for education in the state, and new statewide research shows the breadth of that shared agenda for the state’s future. Across political affiliations and age groups, voters strongly support priorities spanning academic foundations, preparation for work and life, education and training after high school, greater opportunity, and accountability for public dollars.

The 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda from Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) builds on years of statewide research showing education as a shared public value and a longstanding priority, central to the future Arizonans want for themselves, their communities, and the state. The new findings bring those priorities together in a comprehensive picture of what voters want Arizona’s education system to deliver.

Ninety-one percent of voters agree Arizona’s future depends on a strong public education system that prepares students for success in life and work, including 86% of Republicans, 92% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 96% of Democrats.

“The breadth and consistency of agreement on education are significant,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. “Arizonans may not agree on every policy or solution, but they have been remarkably clear about what matters — strong foundations, multiple pathways to learning and work, opportunity throughout life, and preparation for a changing economy. They have given leaders a clear set of priorities. Now candidates and leaders need to explain how they will make progress on them.”

Public Dollars Come with an Expectation of Accountability
One of the most active education policy debates in Arizona centers on the growth of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)/vouchers, and views differ. But even within those debates, voters strongly agree on the foundational principle that public dollars should require transparency and accountability.

Ninety percent of voters say all schools receiving public funding should publicly report information about student outcomes and performance, including 93% of Republicans, 91% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats. Wherever public education dollars are spent, voters expect transparency to understand where dollars are being invested and with what results.

A Comprehensive Agenda for Arizona Education
The education conversation in Arizona has become increasingly centered on ESAs. But the education agenda voters want leaders to address is much broader. Across years of CFA research, Arizonans have consistently supported priorities that reach across the education journey and connect education to opportunity and the state’s future. The 2026 Voters’ Agenda shows the breadth of that shared education agenda.

Voters strongly support priorities that build foundational skills, connect learning to work and opportunity, and expand access to education and training. Every one of these priorities receives majority support across political affiliations.

Strong foundations and preparation

• 98% agree students should develop strong reading, writing, and math skills.
• 98% agree students should develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability.
• 98% agree students should have opportunities to explore careers before graduation.

Connections to work and opportunity

• 96% support helping more Arizonans gain job skills and credentials through community colleges and workforce training.
• 95% support expanding internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning.
• 94% support ensuring every student has access to dual enrollment, early college, or other opportunities to earn college credit while in high school

Access across the education journey

• 79% support increasing access to affordable, high-quality early learning for three- and four-year-olds.
• 87% agree Arizona needs to increase the number of students who pursue and complete education or training beyond high school.
• 80% support increasing state investment to help more students afford and attend Arizona public universities and community colleges.

“These may sound like straightforward priorities, but that should not make us overlook how consequential they are,” said Paul Bentz, Sr. Vice President of Research and Strategy at HighGround, which conducted the survey. “Voters across the political spectrum want answers to these issues. The numbers are exceptionally clear. Candidates and leaders should be prepared to explain their plans for making progress on them.”

From Agreement to Measurable Progress
The longstanding agreement on education priorities stands in stark contrast to Arizona’s results. The Arizona Education Progress Meter, developed by CFA and Education Forward Arizona, tracks where the state stands on education outcomes. Current statewide data show Arizona has experienced year-over-year declines and remains well below its long-term goals across key measures from early learning and academic achievement to post-secondary attainment.

The opportunity is clear. Many of the areas where Arizona needs to improve are also areas where voters agree on the direction they want the state to go.

“Education debates often focus on the issues where disagreement is greatest, but our research sheds light and provides insights into what is of greatest importance and matters most to Arizonans,” Dr. Francis added. “We see strong agreement on these priorities, and we see clear gaps between Arizonans’ aspirations and the results we’re getting. That gives Arizona a real opportunity to make progress. Leaders now need to show how they will close those gaps and deliver better results for our state.”

The Question for Arizona: Will Leaders Respond to Voters’ Priorities?
The education findings put clear questions before candidates and leaders:

• Arizonans overwhelmingly agree that the state’s future depends on a strong public education system. What is your plan for public education in Arizona and how will you measure progress?
• Voters strongly support early learning and strong academic foundations. How would you expand access to high-quality early learning and improve student outcomes in reading, writing, math, and other core skills?
• Voters support multiple pathways to education, training, and work. How would you help more Arizonans access and complete education or training beyond high school and prepare for a changing economy?
• Voters expect accountability for public education dollars. How would you ensure transparency and accountability for all schools receiving public funding, including those receiving ESA or voucher funding?

Arizona voters have provided a comprehensive education agenda. After years of agreement on many of these priorities, candidates and leaders should be pressed on how they will turn that agreement into measurable progress.

Explore the research and join the conversation. Find the Arizona Voters' Agenda findings, methodology, and resources at arizonafuture.org/ava

CFA is conducting a second Arizona Voters’ Agenda survey later this month, with new findings and additional questions for candidates and leaders expected in September.

CFA also coordinated with Education Forward Arizona, which conducted additional polling to gain deeper insight into the education priorities of likely Arizona voters, recognizing education’s longstanding importance to Arizonans. Those findings will be released in early September. Learn more at educationforwardarizona.org.

About the Arizona Voters’ Agenda Survey

The first of two statewide 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda surveys was conducted on June 15-18, 2026. The poll surveyed 500 likely Arizona General Election voters with a history of electoral participation and was balanced to reflect expected turnout across party, age, region, and gender. Live interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by HighGround, Inc., among landline and cell phone users. The partisan advantage was set at +8% GOP based on previous election trends. The margin of error is ±4.3%.

To be included in the Arizona Voters' Agenda, each priority must receive support from at least 50% of all likely voters, as well as at least 50% of Republicans, Democrats, independents/unaffiliated voters, and every age group. The survey also includes broader questions that provide context about Arizona voters' experiences, concerns, and perspectives. Additional methodology is available at arizonafuture.org/ava.

Survey Demographics:

The 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative is supported in part by Arizona State University, Helios Education Foundation, Pivotal Foundation, and Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation. Center for the Future of Arizona is grateful for their investment in trusted, nonpartisan research that helps inform leadership and public dialogue around Arizona's future.

About Center for the Future of Arizona

Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "do-tank" that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state. Through its survey research & communications, Arizona Progress Meters, and impact initiatives & programs in education, workforce, and civic health, CFA listens to Arizonans to learn what matters most to them, shares trusted data about how Arizona is doing in those priority areas, brings critical issues to public attention, and works with communities and leaders to solve public problems. CFA’s work is focused on building The Arizona We Want –a research-informed vision of success for the state, where all Arizonans, now and in the future, thrive and enjoy sustained prosperity, unmatched quality of life, and real opportunity.

CFA develops the Arizona Voters’ Agenda initiative to put the voices of Arizona voters at the forefront of election dialogue, encourage candidates and media to focus on what Arizonans agree on and care about for our state, and increase voter engagement by building a positive agenda that focuses on outcomes that voters across age and political affiliation want. Visit arizonafuture.org/ava for more details on the initiative and comprehensive survey information.