Arizona’s P–12 system continues to grapple with challenges such as teacher shortages, declining enrollment, and chronic underfunding amid a decentralized educational landscape. For fiscal year (FY) 2026, Governor Katie Hobbs’s executive budget allocates 8. 1 billion to K–12 and 1. 8 billion to higher education, representing approximately 46% and 6%, respectively, of the state’s 17. 65 billion budget. Lawmakers approved a 2% increase in the per pupil base support level to 5, 113 and modest transportation rate increases, alongside 29. 0 million in onetime additional assistance funds. Governor Hobbs proposed Education Savings Account reforms, potentially saving Arizona 150 million. Arizona’s FY 2026 policy priorities emphasize fiscal restraint, teacher retention, and stronger accountability in its school choice program framework.
G. et al. (Wed,) studied this question.