Arizona school leaders often say state policy limits how much they can change schedules, staffing models or early college access programs.
A new program is aiming to highlight changes schools and districts can make to everything from the school day to early college readiness in a push to get educators to engage in better solutions for students.
The initiative, called “Permission Granted,” was unveiled at Goodyear High School by the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy at Northern Arizona University, with support from KnowledgeWorks. The effort includes two public tools, a policy primer and aninnovation guide.
Organizers say the goal is to help officials at places such as the Agua Fria Union High School District identify what is permitted under Arizona law and to see how other school systems are applying those flexibilities.
What the tools include
The policy primer translates Arizona education statutes into plain language and identifies five key areas where schools have flexibility. Those areas include:
Rethinking instructional time models
Redesigning how the school day is structured
Expanding early college access
Leveraging technology, including artificial intelligence
Supporting new approaches to staffing and postsecondary readiness
The document is intended to clarify where districts have discretion to redesign learning, staffing and schedules without waiting for new legislation.
The guide provides case studies from 11 Arizona school systems that are tackling those areas in different ways under current state law. The selected districts and charter networks represent different regions, school models and student populations.
According to organizers, the examples were identified through stakeholder interviews and prior work with systems across the state. Each spotlight was reviewed by the district involved.
The Agua Fria district is among those featured.
“Sometimes we get so caught up in meetings and adult conversations that we forget why we’re here,” Superintendent Mark Yslas said during the launch event in Goodyear. “Seeing our students reminds us of the urgency of this work. That’s what this is about.”
The guide documents how some schools and districts are restructuring the school day, expanding dual enrollment and early college pathways, and incorporating technology-based learning within existing law.
Why organizers say it’s needed
Dr. Sybil Francis, president and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona, said schools sometimes delay redesign efforts because leaders believe state approval is required.
“There’s often a perception that meaningful change requires new policy,” Francis said. “But Arizona already has significant flexibility. ‘Permission Granted’ brings clarity and confidence to that reality and helps move us from aspiration to implementation.”
Dr. Chad Gestson, executive director of the Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy, said the effort is intended to address both uncertainty and urgency.
“‘Permission Granted’ is both permission and a push,” Gestson said. “You have permission by law today in Arizona to innovate. But this also a push, because our students cannot wait.”
Gestson said the organization gathered feedback across all 15 Arizona counties while developing the resource. That feedback included discussions about how artificial intelligence and workforce changes are affecting expectations for high school graduates.
The materials also highlight early college access as one strategy available under current policy. Dr. Tiffany Hernandez, president of Glendale Community College, said dual enrollment programs allow students to earn college credit while in high school.
“Dual enrollment is one of the most powerful tools we have,” Hernandez said. “Students who participate are more than twice as likely to attend and succeed in college.”
Organizers say the initiative does not propose new legislation. Instead, it focuses on helping school leaders understand and apply existing statutory flexibility.
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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