Arizona Education News (2024)

Murad Dervish, 48, faces seven felony charges including first degree murder in the death of Thomas Meixner, 52, who was shot nine times near his office and was pronounced dead at a Tucson hospital.

NAU Diné program gives K-12 teachers traditional lessons

Teachers in schools on the Navajo Nation across Northern Arizona will be working with NAU instructors to help integrate indigenous environmental practices into their classrooms.

ABOR announces AZ workshops to help students complete the FAFSA

The Arizona Board of Regents and Arizona FAFSA Coalition are holding a series of regional workshops tailored to assist the class of 2024 fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

ASU introduces 4 new ocean-related degrees, including chance to study in Bermuda

ASU is launching four new ocean-related degree programs within the College of Global Futures. As part of the university’s School of Ocean Futures, students in the desert will study topics including marine ecosystems.

Book featuring handwritten notes of poet John Milton discovered at Phoenix library

It’s not every day your local library learns it has a book once owned by a renowned English poet from the 17th century. In March, a group of scholars meeting in the Rare Book Room at the Burton Barr Central Library made such a discovery.

Mother of former UA student, charged in professor's murder, testifies

Former University of Arizona grad student Murad Dervish is on trial for the 2022 on-campus shooting and murder of professor Thomas Meixner. Patricia Grace, Dervish’s mother, took the stand.

Mesa Public Schools sees improvement in chronic absenteeism

Chronic absenteeism has been a major issue across K-12 schools in Arizona, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. But Mesa Public Schools is seeing improvement in that area.

Mesa now one of the highest paying districts in Arizona

Mesa Public Schools has approved pay increases for all of its 8,500 employees, effective July 1. The increase makes Mesa one of the highest paying school districts in the state.

No evidence submitted against ASU protesters yet

Prosecutors have a year to refile dozens of trespassing cases against pro-Palestine demonstrators arrested late last month at Arizona State University.

This Scottsdale middle school principal has banned cellphones for years. Here's why

Schools in Arizona and around the country are grappling with cellphones in the classroom. Some are letting students have them out in between classes and at lunch. Others are buying up smartphone pouches that lock them up.
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Hobbs says lawmakers unlikely to reach a deal on teacher raises this year

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs says lawmakers are unlikely to reach a deal this session to ask voters to extend a key public education funding measure.

She earned ASU doctoral degree — at age 17

Dorothy Jean Tillman II recently graduated with her doctoral degree from Arizona State University, after successfully defending her thesis in December at age 17. She took her first college course at 10.

NAU institute offers AI guidance for schools

The Arizona Institute for Education and the Economy is offering guidance for the use of Generative AI in K-12 schools. It’s not a mandate from state officials, but information about how AI works and how it could be used in the classroom.

Judge throws out cases against ASU protesters

Dozens of trespassing cases against pro-Palestine demonstrators arrested late last month at Arizona State University were dismissed by a judge Tuesday. But prosecutors still have a year to revive them.

Police still seeking suspects in shooting of 20-year-old University of Arizona student

At a news conference Tuesday, police Capt. Doug Foster said there is no indication that 20-year-old sophom*ore Erin Jones — from Newport Beach, California — was targeted.

ASU researchers develop voice authentication to guard against AI

The rise of artificial intelligence-generated audio statements poses major ethical and moral problems. To address this concern, a group of ASU researchers have developed a prototype of a microphone that would authenticate voice recordings as human speech.

An instrument often known for holding down the bassline takes center stage

An Arizona State University music professor recently released a new album, which she describes as an exploration of identity. So much so that it’s the name of Deanna Swoboda’s latest album.

More than $1B invested in early childhood education. That funding is about to run out

Over the last three years, Arizona has received $1.3 billion from the federal government to support early childhood education and child care in Arizona. Now, those pandemic relief funds are running out.

University of Arizona faculty sets up ad hoc committee after protest arrests, social media tracking

Ellie Wolfe with the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson joined The Show to talk more about the pro-Palestinian protests at University of Arizona, where police shot what appeared to be rubber bullets as protesters threw rocks and water bottles at SWAT vehicles.

Jill Biden tells Mesa Community College graduates not to let others limit them

First Lady Jill Biden spoke at the commencement ceremony for Mesa Community College on Saturday. She spoke to hundreds of graduates at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe.

Grand Canyon University to join West Coast Conference

Grand Canyon University announced Friday that it has accepted an invitation to join the West Coast Conference, starting in July 2025. GCU has been in the Western Athletic Conference since 2013.