KJZZ Here and Now Weblog

Here and Now - Friday, August 14, 2009

Arizona Board of Regents President Ernest Calderón joins Here and Now host Steve Goldstein to talk about his thoughts on higher education.

Phoenix Business Journal reporter Angela Gonzales discusses her latest story on families having to care for loved ones because nursing homes are turning away medicare patients over lower reimbursement payments.

Stay tuned for other guests and topics!

Here and Now - Back to School

Hard to believe that the majority of K-12 students will be in school this week. Is it just me or does school seem to start earlier each year?

While I could whine about that all I want, starting school in early August is not really a pressing matter facing education. At least not when compared to education funding.

I won't harp on the statistics that educators and parents bring up all the time, that we are next to last in per pupil funding or that we don't spend enough money in the classroom. But I will bring up the issue of teacher pay, and the concept of financially rewarding those teachers who excel over those who don't inspire students. The question is how to we implement such a system?

Then there's the 'Race to the Top' federal dollars that the Obama administration is making available for states to spur innovation. We'll learn more about what the program; what innovations are underway in Arizona; and what we're doing to ensure we get funding. Pendergast Elementary School District superintendent Ron Richards and state lawmaker and Scottsdale Unified School District board member Dr. Eric Meyer are our guests this week. We'll also check in with Maricopa County Superintendent of Public Instruction Don Covey about the challenges his office faces.

Tell us what issues you would like to addressed.

Here and Now - School Funding, H1N1 Flu Update

Last year, Arizona spent about$4.4 billion dollars on K-12 school funding. Not this year. Lawmakers have proposed cutting hundreds of millions from education funding. And this week, the Governor's office has indicated that the state budget deficit will be almost $4 billion dollars for the upcoming fiscal year. Not two or three, but $4 billion dollars!

Here and Now looks at both the governor's and legislature's proposals for school funding and what options are available to help make ends meet.

What do you think about the impact the decline in state revenue is having on education spending, which some say is near the bottom nationally? What do you think the state could, or should do about it?

Here and Now: ASU President Michael Crow

There is no denying the impact of Michael Crow on Arizona State University. Since taking the helm in 2002, Crow has transformed ASU in many ways. He's helped push the amount of research done by ASU and the total research dollars coming into the university. Crow also also significantly increased the size of the school's endowment.
He's helped increase the number of national merit scholars three-fold, but university tuition has also more than doubled in that span.

Michael Crow has advanced his concept of "A New American University," but other than a catchy phrase, many students, faculty, and the public couldn't tell you exactly what that means.

Michael Crow joins us for an Hour to discuss the many issues his university faces, from increasing tuition and student fees to fleeing professors looking for work at universities solidly backed by elected leaders.

Have a comment, question, or concern for Dr. Crow? The shorter the text, the more likely we will use it on-air. Also, because we have to moderate comments -- to keep out spammers-- your post may not show up right away.

The Future of Arizona's Public Universities

I've got a 17 year old who wants to go to the University of Arizona. Question is, can her mother and I afford it? This is an issue for thousands of Arizona parents and their high school seniors.

Let's face it, the cost to go to college isn't as cheap as it used to be. And it's only getting more expensive as the Arizona Board of Regents will vote on tuition increases at all three state universities: Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, and U of A.

It's not as if it's THAT expensive. But many families don't readily have the $6-7,000 a year in tuition, plus another 5 to 6 grand for room and board. Then there's the oh so cheap textbooks. The list goes on, but I digress.

The last of the babies of the baby boomer generation are in the education pipeline and will greatly expand the demand on public and private universities. How can public universities continue to grow to accommodate tens of thousands of new students while keeping tuition affordable? Oh yea, then there's this little thing called a RECESSION! Budget cuts, bigger classes, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Just some of the issues we'll put to Fred and Fred: Board of Regents member Fred Duval and Regent President Fred Boice. Have a question, comment, concern, solution? Your ideas are welcome below!

ASU President Michael Crow; Photographer Annie Griffiths Belt

ASU President Michael Crow told faculty and staff last week that the university must cut anywhere from $25 to $75 million in annual spending. Lawmakers cut ASU funding and the university could face another round of cuts in state funding.

Here and Now will update listeners on what's being done about the problem of foreclosed homes. State and local governments received more than $100 million dollars in federal funding to buy and rehabilitate foreclosed homes and sell them to first time home buyers. Homeowners facing foreclosure are also eligible for federal help under the 'Hope for Homeowners' program.

Annie Griffith Belts found diapers not only helped protect her camera gear while traveling abroad to photograph for National Geographic magazine. She also used them as her kids traveled on assignment with her. Griffiths Belt will be in town at the Mesa Arts Center to talk about her experiences and new book A Camera, Two Kids, And a Camel. She'll talk to host Steve Goldstein and listeners toward the end of the hour.

Here and Now: Education Issues

Education is the most expensive item the legislature pays for out of it's general fund. Many in education are worried how they will be effected by revenue shortfalls. It comes at a time when school costs are going up. Energy, gas, food--you name it--and schools are paying more for it.

A big issue that's been set aside is the teacher shortage. School districts recruit from far away states in the hopes that sunshine and warm weather will entice them to teach in Arizona.

Tom Horne is one of our guests on Here and Now . We'll update you on other guests as they are booked.
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Here and Now: Education, Investigative Reporting

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne joins Here and Now host Steve Goldstein to talk about education issues in Arizona. Some of the issues to be discussed include: teacher pay, school district consolidation, the English language learner lawsuit, and No Child Left Behind. We'll also talk to the head of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors). The non-profit is holding its annual convention in Phoenix on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Phoenix reporter Don Boles. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jerry Kammer, formerly of The Arizona Republic, will discuss a new book he wrote with colleagues about Congressional corruption and the downfall of Congressman Randy 'Duke' Cunningham. Post you comments and questions below! Or you can ask your questions live Wednesday, June 6 from 11am to noon.

Higher Education in Arizona

This Wednesday December 13th at 11am Steve Goldstein and guests look at challenges facing Higher Education in Arizona. College students and their parents face rising tuition again at state universities and some out of state colleges are looking to set up campuses in the Phoenix area.

Post a comment now using the "Comments" link below, or call during the program (480) 774-8200.

Education on Here and Now

It's back to school time for Arizona students. As parents ensure their kids have the supplies they need, some schools are scrambling for teachers, bus drivers, and the space needed to teach class. Here and Now examines the state of education in Arizona. Listen Wednesday, August 23 from 11 a.m. to noon at 91.5 FM or online at KJZZ.ORG. Topics include: a shortage of teachers, English language learner funding, AIMS Test results, tuition tax credits, all-day kindergarten, drop-out rate, and school choice.

For more information on this topic, see the Here and Now Fast Facts.

To ask a question during the show call 480-774-8200 or you can post a question ahead of time by clicking the "comment" link below.

Michael Crow

In this hour of Here and Now, Terry Ward talked with ASU President Michael Crow about the future of Arizona State University .  Crow is pusing for a bio-sciences campus in downtown Phoenix, an expansion of the ASU Resarch Park in South Tempe, and a tech center in South Scottsdale.

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