Legislative Priorities

Each year, ASA develops a summary of its legislative positions through a collaborative process with its members and its legislative committee.  Here are ASA's Advocacy Priorities for the 2026 legislative session.  Click HERE to download a PDF.

 
2026 Advocacy Priorities
 
School Funding
Arizona schools need increased funding for both day-to-day maintenance and operations, as well as for capital needs such as building new schools and maintaining existing facilities. Schools also need additional resources for soft capital needs like laptops, desks, chairs, and instructional materials. ASA recognizes that students from low-income families often require extra support to reach their full academic potential. In addition, the cost of providing special education services is higher than the amount schools receive under the statutory formula, even though such services are mandated by both state and federal law. ASA supports policies that give schools the additional funding they need.
  • Appropriate $37M to poverty funding (FRPL Group B weight) as an ongoing appropriation.
  • Appropriate $23M to District Additional Assistance (DAA) funding as an ongoing appropriation.
  • Index District Additional Assistance to inflation.
  • Fund Building Renewal Grant needs so all schools meet the Minimum Adequacy Guidelines.
  • Fund New School Construction projects approved by the School Facilities Oversight Board.
  • Adequately fund Group B weights in the funding formula.
  • Restore funding for full-day kindergarten.
 
Aggregate Expenditure Limit
The AEL is an outdated spending limit for school districts based on the aggregate expenditure of all districts statewide. It is based on 1980 spending and needs to be repealed or seriously reformed.
  • Pass an AEL repeal or a modernization of the AEL calculation that more accurately reflects school spending across the state.
 
Reform the Proposition 123 Triggers
Proposition 123 was passed by the voters in 2016 to provide roughly $300 million annually to schools to settle a lawsuit over inflation funding brought against the state. It allows the Legislature to suspend inflation funding if 50% or more of the State General Fund is spent on education.
  • Require a 2/3 vote of the Legislature to suspend inflation funding if the trigger is met.
 
Educator Recruitment and Retention
  • Support increased funding for teacher salaries and other certified staff.
  • Support increased funding to increase classified staff pay and cover mandatory minimum wage increases.
  • Support increased funding for meaningful professional development and teacher recruitment.
  • Oppose burdensome and unfunded mandates on educators and school staff.
 
Local Control and Governance
District and school leaders should be given flexibility to determine how to best serve their students. Arizona’s public education system is founded on the principle that schools, governed by representatives from the local community, can determine how to best deliver an educational program that optimizes the potential for success of all students.
  • Support actions that provide flexibility in managing district resources and programs.
  • Support actions that eliminate or reduce costly or redundant statutory requirements.
 
Accountability for Public Funds
  • Require financial and academic transparency for all institutions and individuals that accept public funds.
  • Require classroom spending reports for all institutions that accept public funds.
  • Broaden the definition of classroom spending to encompass all school district expenses that contribute to classroom success.