Policy Priorities

The mission of the Arizona Business & Education Coalition is to connect leaders to develop and advocate solutions that will grow Arizona’s future.

THE COALITION BELIEVES…

Positive student outcomes, including post-high school educational attainment and economic mobility, and workforce development are the shared responsibility of business, education and community leaders, and that collaborative approaches are essential.

Every student should have robust opportunities throughout their K-12 journey to develop awareness of careers, explore possible futures, and prepare for life success through academics, experiences and pathway planning.

For a thriving citizenry and state economy, Arizona must prioritize funding necessary for public schools to grow and advance student-centered programs and resources that lead to academic engagement and success and contribute to meeting the state’s workforce and economic development needs, including:

Early career awareness and exploration, which builds a foundation for students to connect their learning with future goals, thereby enhancing engagement and academic performance. Middle school is the most effective time for career guidance programs.

School counselors, who are essential to ensuring all students select a postsecondary pathway to purpose and productivity (career technical certificate or two-/four-year degree program, military or public service, employment, entrepreneurship).

Career and technical education (CTE), which leads to a 96 percent graduation rate for concentrators and higher wages eight years after graduation than their non-CTE peers, and aligns with the needs of local and regional business and industry.

Dual enrollment, which is associated with higher rates of college enrollment, persistence and completion and with earning higher wages after high school. Evidence suggests that the more dual credits a student takes, the better their chances of reaping these rewards.

Also essential is investment in early childhood education and quality childcare, which build foundational skills in reading, math, and language, and foster cognitive abilities like problem-solving and attention, all of which are critical foundations for academic success. They also remove barriers to parents entering the workforce.

Adopted by the ABEC Board of Directors, November 2025