While students in Massachusetts benefit from the nation's highest per-pupil funding, higher teacher pay and smaller class sizes, many Arizona students are crammed into overcrowded classrooms with teachers stretched to the breaking point.
Despite a $500 million increase in statewide school district spending in fiscal year 2024, Arizona remains 49th in per-pupil spending, allocating approximately $10,315 per student, compared with the national average of $15,633. This impacts both the quality of students education and teacher pay.
“I taught in Arizona for 12 years,” said Karin Peterson, a former public school teacher in the Dysart Unified School District. “Like many others, I left the district to pursue a better-paying job. Every year, I watched great educators leave because they couldn’t afford to stay. It’s not just about salary — it’s the class sizes, the lack of administrative support and the constant uncertainty in funding.”
Funding gaps and policy pitfalls
Much of Arizona’s current funding crisis stems from the rapid expansion of its Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which according to Beth Lewis, executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona Network, "...now consumes over 11% of the K-12 education budget — yet serves only 6.3% of students."
The ESA program allows families to use public funds for private school tuition, homeschooling, and other expenses, but critics argue it’s diverting public schools of critical resources.
In fiscal year 2024, the ESA program is projected to cost the state nearly $700 million — contributing directly to Arizona’s ballooning education budget deficit.
Meanwhile, Arizona deferred more than $800 million in basic state aid to school districts in fiscal year 2024, leaving school administrators scrambling to balance budgets with delayed or reduced funding.
"Basic state aid is defined as the core funding that state governments provide to public school districts to ensure a minimum level of educational services for all students — regardless of a community’s local wealth or property tax base," said Doug Nick, Communications Director to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
What top-rated states are doing right
In contrast to Arizona, states such as Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey are doubling down on their public school systems.
- Massachusetts invests more than $6.5 billion in school aid through its Chapter 70 program, maintains a student-teacher ratio below 12:1, and ranks first in national math and reading scores.
- Connecticut directs more than $13.6 billion to its K-12 system annually, with a focus on equitable distribution to high-need districts.
- New Jersey added $908 million in new education funding for 2024, prioritizing universal pre-K, teacher recruitment, and student mental health initiatives.
Each of these states views education not as a cost, but as an investment in future workforce development, public health, and economic competitiveness.
When considering the cost of living, a high paycheck doesn't necessarily translate to greater financial security if the cost of living is higher. States like Massachusetts and Connecticut offer teachers stronger real-world buying power, while New Jersey and Arizona lag behind — suggesting both may need to reecaluate their pay scales to remain competitive and attract qualified educators.
The stakes for Arizona
With chronic teacher shortages, aging infrastructure, and an exodus of veteran educators, Arizona faces a hard truth: without structural change, its public school system may continue to decline—alongside student outcomes.
Education advocates are calling for an overhaul of Arizona’s funding model, tighter oversight on voucher programs and renewed investment in certified educators and classroom support.
Steep challenges for Arizona
Arizona continues to face steep challenges in education funding:
- After a 5% increase in 2025, Arizona now ranks 29th in average teacher salary with a reported average of $62,714.
- Arizona sits near the bottom nationally for per-student spending, investing $10,315, less per child than the national average of $15,633 and far less than the top states, which include Massachusetts (with a per pupil spend of $24,359), Connecticut (with a per pupil spend of $25,023) and New Jersey (with a per pupil spend of $26,558).
- Arizona classrooms are among the most crowded, with the second-highest student-to-teacher ratio in the U.S.
- K-12 funding is deeply inequitable, with the greatest cuts impacting students of color, children living in poverty, and rural communities.
- Arizona does not provide dedicated funding for full-day kindergarten — districts must redirect funds from other programs to cover the cost.
Prospects for change
As Arizona seeks to improve their education system and boost national competitiveness, several proposals have surfaced, including:
“We can’t keep pretending this system is sustainable,” said Peterson. “Our kids deserve better. And so do the people who show up every day to teach them.”
If Arizona hopes to stay competitive — both nationally and in a rapidly evolving global economy — it will need to recalibrate its approach to education investment. With the state ranking 47th in per-pupil spending and maintaining one of the highest student-to-teacher ratios in the country, the consequences of inaction could go beyond rankings. They could shape the outcomes of an entire generation of learners navigating a workforce that demands more than ever before.
Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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