Arizona Voters Want Elected Leaders to Take Action to Improve Public Education

Arizona voters remain strongly committed to public education, but few rate the state’s K-12 system highly, and most say elected leaders are not doing enough to improve it. New statewide nonpartisan public opinion survey research shows voters want leaders to be more focused on students’ academic success and their longstanding education priorities.

The findings are the latest addition to Center for the Future of Arizona’s (CFA) 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda , adding insight to the comprehensive education agenda reflected in voters’ priorities announced last month.

“Arizonans understand how important education is to their own lives, as well as to the success of their communities and the state's prosperity,” said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. “Their commitment to public education has been clear throughout the years of our research. They want every child to have strong foundations, opportunities to develop their talents, and pathways to a good future. That shared commitment is a powerful foundation for leaders. Voters expect elected leaders to act on it and deliver the results Arizona’s students deserve.”

Strong Support for Public Education Across Party Lines

Amid Arizona’s political debates over education, the findings make clear that support for public education remains strong across political affiliations and generations.

When asked directly about their support for public education, 83% of voters agree with the statement, “I continue to support public education in Arizona. Public schools play an important role in creating opportunity for students, strengthening our economy, and supporting strong communities.” Fifty-eight percent strongly agree. Agreement includes 71% of Republicans, 84% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 98% of Democrats, as well as majorities in every age group surveyed.

That support builds on earlier 2026 findings showing 91% 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.

Voters Express Concern About K-12 Performance

Voters’ commitment to public education exists alongside concern about how the system is performing.

When asked to rate Arizona’s K-12 public education system, only 10% rate it as excellent or very good, while 49% rate it as poor or failing. Ratings were similar across political affiliations.

“The research shows strong support for the role public schools play, alongside considerable concern about how the overall system is doing in Arizona. Both are important to understanding the expectations of voters,” said Paul Bentz, Senior Vice President of Research and Strategy at HighGround , “They still have faith in our schools and want them to succeed, but they would like to see more done to improve performance.”

The Arizona Education Progress Meter, developed by CFA and Education Forward Arizona, provides additional context for those concerns. Across the education journey, Arizona remains well below its goals for key outcomes, including academic achievement, high school graduation, and education and training beyond high school. Progress has been uneven, with gains in some areas and persistent gaps between the outcomes Arizonans want and the results the state is achieving.

Voters Say Elected Leaders Are Not Doing Enough

The new findings also show where voters place accountability for public education, how they view elected leaders’ efforts, and where they want greater attention.

Seventy-eight percent believe Arizona’s elected leaders are not doing enough to improve K-12 public education for all students, including 75% Republicans, 80% independent and unaffiliated voters, and 79% Democrats.

Seventy-seven percent agree that Arizona’s elected leaders are too focused on issues like Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)/vouchers and not focused enough on improving reading and math outcomes, preparing students for careers, and other priorities that improve student success. That includes 68% Republicans, 77% independent and unaffiliated voters, and 87% Democrats.

In previous research, CFA has not found consensus across political affiliations on the appropriate levels of funding for ESAs/vouchers, but has consistently found that voters want transparency and accountability for all schools receiving public funds. The latest findings make it clear that voters want elected leaders to focus more attention on other education priorities and improve student outcomes.

A Comprehensive Education Agenda for Action

Voters’ education priorities in the 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda span strong academic foundations, preparation for work and life, education beyond high school, and accountability for public dollars.

Across political affiliations and generations, voters support priorities throughout the education journey:

• Early learning - 79% support increasing access to affordable, high-quality early learning for three- and four-year-olds.
• Strong foundations - 98% agree students should develop strong reading, writing, and math skills, as well as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability.
• Preparation for careers - 98% support career exploration before graduation, and 95% support expanding internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning.
• Accountability for public dollars - 90% say all schools receiving public funding should publicly report student outcomes and performance.
• Education and training beyond high school - 96% support helping more Arizonans gain job skills and credentials through community colleges and workforce training, and 87% want more students to pursue and complete education or training beyond high school.
• Investment in college access - 80% support increasing state investment to help more students afford and attend Arizona public universities and community colleges.

These priorities build on more than two decades of CFA research showing education’s longstanding importance to Arizonans and its connection to opportunity, economic prosperity, and the state’s future.

“Arizonans have given leaders a clear and comprehensive education agenda, and action is overdue,” Dr. Francis added. “There are still too many gaps between what Arizonans want and the outcomes we are seeing. Leaders have a responsibility to explain how they will close those gaps and follow through in their actions. Through education, we change lives, strengthen families, communities, and Arizona’s future. That is how we build The Arizona We Want.”

Questions for Candidates and Leaders on Action and Results

The education findings raise clear questions to ask candidates and leaders:

• Most voters say elected leaders are not doing enough to improve public education. What would you do differently, and how would you measure progress?
• Voters want greater attention to student success. What actions would you prioritize to improve academic outcomes and prepare students for life and work?
• Voters agree on priorities spanning early learning, education and training beyond high school, and accountability for public dollars. Where would you work across political differences to turn that agreement into action?

As Election Day approaches, CFA will continue sharing findings from the full 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda and questions for candidates and leaders. The goal is to keep voters’ priorities visible throughout the election and into governing, providing a foundation for assessing whether those priorities translate into action and results.

Explore the research and join the conversation. Find the 2026 Arizona Voters’ Agenda findings, methodology, and resources at ArizonaFuture.org/AVA .