Arizona Changes Proficiency Test To Get More Math Teachers

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Friday, April 1, 2016 - 4:54pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (9.3 MB)
(Illustration by Lauren Loftus - KJZZ)

The Arizona Board of Education has done the math. Arizona needs more teachers for Algebra I and II classes.

But some of those potential instructors haven’t been able to show proficiency in subjects like trigonometry and calculus. So a new test is being implemented.

Joe Thomas, vice president of the Arizona Education Association, spoke about the change.

Under the new standard, math teachers who are teaching lower-level classes will not have to show they’re also proficient in subjects like trig and calculus. Charles Tack is with the Arizona Education Department. He spoke about what went into the decision to make the change.

The Show