2008 ABEC Legislative Connection

HIGHLIGHTS OF LEGISLATIVE CONNECTION

"Business and education must work together" was a recurring theme in the various comments passionately spoken by state legislators, business, community, and education leaders who attend the 2008 ABEC Legislative Connection held Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the State Capitol.

"We cannot cut funding for K-12 education" stated Senator Tom O'Halleran, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. Senator O'Halleran, along with Representative Jennifer Burns and Representative Mark Anderson each highlighted the importance of education for the future of Arizona's economy and workforce.

Superintendent Tom Horne and Vicki Balentine, chair-elect of the State Board of Education, spoke to specific education issues and their priorities, which included: data collection; a teacher shortage, especially in the math and science fields; assessment and accountability; English Language Learners; school leadership; and school funding.

ABEC Public Policy Committee co-chairs, Jason Bagley (Intel) and Dr. Kent Scribner (Isaac Elementary School District), also spoke to ABEC's top priority issues: school finance reform, performance-based compensation/teacher pay, and English Language Learners.

"This event was much more than a networking opportunity; more importantly, it had a great deal of substance" commented many who attended.

Over 100 people were in attendance at this year's free event which was open to all ABEC members and was exclusively sponsored by: