FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Shannon Sowby, (602) 615-6235 Diana Figueroa, (602) 206-8572

ShannonSowbyPR@gmail.com dfigueroa@educationforwardarizona.org  

October 8, 2025 – Phoenix, Ariz. – Education Forward Arizona, as part of its Everything to Gain campaign, today released new poll findings that underscore how strongly Arizonans continue to value education and training after high school–despite unprecedented disruptions across the education landscape during the first half of 2025. This poll is especially significant because many of its questions were repeated from earlier polls, one in September 2024 and the other in 2023. The findings reinforce continued support for Arizona’s attainment goal of 60% of working-age adults earning a degree, certificate, or credential by 2030. 

Key findings from respondents include:

  • Public support for education remains strong, even in a more conservative sample.
    • This year’s poll included 41% conservative voters, up from 39% in 2024. Still,  support for higher education attainment after high school and a stronger workforce pipeline held steady–and even grew in some areas. Public opinion rarely remains this steady on any issue.
  • There is widespread, deep concern about fraud and abuse of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs).
    • Even with little understanding of the program, a majority of voters are opposed to ESA’s. 
    • When given a summary of recent reports, over 75% of voters express concern over waste, fraud, and abuse in the ESA program.
    • Voters highly support reforming the ESA program to require greater oversight and accountability of how taxpayer funds are used.
  • Consistent support for Arizona’s attainment goal.
    • We asked voters about the same policy solutions from 2024’s third poll to boost post-secondary attainment, and they continue to strongly support them. Even with a more conservative sample, support for more affordable and accessible higher education and career training remains as strong as last year. 
    • These findings are key to showing leaders that they have the support of voters to do more to reach Arizona’s goal of 60% of working-age adults with a degree, certificate, or credential by 2030. 

“These results should serve as a clear call to action,” said Education Forward Arizona President and CEO Rich Nickel. “Even with the charged rhetoric around education, Arizonans continue to believe that increasing attainment is important – a rare phenomenon in politics today. The voters want lawmakers and leaders to prioritize investments in education and training after high school. We also cannot ignore the overwhelming data and sentiment surrounding voters’ concerns about the need for more oversight, transparency, and accountability within the ESA voucher program.” 

This poll follows an op-ed published in the Phoenix Business Journal by Scottsdale Unified School Board Member Matt Pittinsky and Phoenix Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Sanders, illustrating the state economy’s need for increased attainment. 

Read the full results and our insights memo by clicking here.

About Education Forward Arizona

Education Forward Arizona is a statewide education advocacy organization dedicated to championing education as the key driver to improving Arizona’s economy and quality of life. Education Forward Arizona serves as the leading voice for promoting the state’s Achieve 60AZ education attainment goal and a shared action plan to move the goals of the Arizona Education Progress Meter forward. The organization’s work also includes mobilizing people and communities to advocate for policies and funding to improve educational outcomes across the Pre-K to postsecondary continuum, as well as providing scholarships and programs that improve postsecondary attainment for Arizona’s diverse student population. Learn more at EducationForwardArizona.org.

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