In April 2007, Science Foundation Arizona (SFAz) announced an investment of $ 3.2 million in K-12 Student and Teacher Discovery Program will benefit Arizona schools. Arizona schools grants are awarded SFAz third of the funds intended to create a first class science, engineering and medical center of Arizona. The foundation intends to create this support and funding for secondary and university schools of Arizona.

Why Fund of Science in Schools of Arizona?

Science Foundation Arizona is a nonprofit organization created in 2006 to "strengthen science, engineering and medical research programs and infrastructure in the areas of greatest strategic value to Arizona's competitiveness in the global economy." Besides the benefits to the economy, educators in Arizona schools are aware of the growing achievement gap that most affect minority and low-income students. That gap is higher in math and science.

Arizona schools are a contradiction in education. Education Week ranked last in the nation for spending per student in January 2007. However, schools in Arizona ranked 14th in the nation in academic standards, and 20 in the alignment of education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the state was at 21. Usually the schools with the lowest per pupil spending (like California) also rate poorly on other indicators of success, while spending top states (like New Jersey) rank higher.

Superintendent of Schools of Arizona, Tom Horne, wrote in his letter of January 2007 that district although the national average is not a satisfactory goal, "... if our [Arizona] schools can take our students beyond the national average, although they are the last resource, I think we could be in the top 10 nationally, if we raise our resources to the national average. " It is clear that private financing of groups like SFAz is expected to help schools in Arizona to achieve that goal.

What programs will benefit schools in Arizona?

Arizona schools will use part of the funding for summer school, teacher training and online courses. $ 225,000 will be spent on increasing hand in the project conducted by the National Optical Astronomy Observatory in Tucson Optical. This program allows students in elementary and secondary schools in rural Arizona to learn about the perspective of scientists in the surrounding communities.

The prize for the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST), gives $ 525,000 for the development of underprivileged students in K-12. Arizona schools will participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST LEGO R League program with these funds.

As Arizona schools try to address issues such as funding for English Language programs, and equity across racial lines and socio-economic debates on the allocation of funds will continue to rise. Therefore, a national trend of philanthropic and corporate sponsorship of public schools has become so popular.

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