Question 1

WHAT IS A PUBLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL?

Accepted Answer

Public district schools are funded by local, state and federal funds, and free to any every student. They offer education from Pre-K through 12th grade, and provide general education (Reading, Math, Science etc) and extra-curricular activities like sports. The United States has a large public school system that collectively educates the vast majority of students.

Question 2

CAN MY CHILD ATTEND ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL?

Accepted Answer

In Arizona, the Public School system is open-enrollment, which means that any child can attend any public school, regardless of where they live and where the school is located, as long the school has room them (cf. A.R.S. § 15-816.01).  Part of Arizona’s expansive school choice laws allow parents to pick and find the school that works best for them.

Question 3

HOW IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDED?

Accepted Answer

Public schools are funded by local, state, and federal taxes. The vast majority of funding in Arizona come from state budget and local property taxes. About 12% comes from the Federal government.

Question 4

AM I REQUIRED TO ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL?

Accepted Answer

Most states have compulsory attendance laws, meaning that students of certain ages must attend “school” during the day. In Arizona children 6-16 must be attending a school, whether its public, charter, private, or homeschool. (cf. A.R.S. § 15-803).

Question 5

ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS CERTIFIED?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Public schools require all teachers to be certified by the state. They achieve certification by attending and completing traditional college Educational program, or an alternative educator program while they are teaching full-time.

In addition to completing these programs they may also need to pass a grade specific and subject knowledge test. All teachers are also required to take and pass the United States and Arizona Constitutions Exam. All teachers, administrators and staff must have fingerprint clearance cards.

Question 6

HOW ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS EVALUATED?

Accepted Answer

Arizona Public district schools are graded based on the qualifications of their staff as well their students achieve on certain standardized tests. AZ School Report Cards provides an excellent snapshot to understand how a school is performing compared to others.

Question 7

CAN MY CHILD ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as you live within Arizona and can verify students identity and age. “While a district may restrict attendance to district residents based on available classroom space, inquiring into students’ citizenship or immigration status, or that of their parents or guardians, is not relevant to establishing residency within the district. A school district or charter school may not bar a student from enrolling because he or she lacks a birth certificate or has records indicating a foreign place of birth, such as a foreign birth certificate.”

Question 8

HOW MUCH DOES HOMESCHOOLING COST?

Accepted Answer

Parents and their child’s needs determine what their home education will cost. Some families pay very little for homeschooling relying on available books and programs from Libraries and free online resources. Other families pay for books, curriculum, education and extra-curricular opportunities.

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