AZ: "Special Education student population has outpaced overall student growth"

Aug 4, 2018, Prescott (AZ) News: 20% Raise Brings AZ Teacher Pay Rank to #16 in Nation https://www.prescottenews.com/index.php/education/item/32358-20-raise-brings-az-teacher-pay-rank-to-16-in-nation According to Arizona Tax Research Association (ATRA), the 20% pay increase voted on by the legislature and signed by Governor Doug Ducey, drastically increases the Arizona teacher pay ranking. Funding challenges remain, however, including the "spread" of the system, rising employee costs such as pensions and healthcare. The Special Education student population has outpaced overall student growth and the modern programs cost more than funding allows…. …‘To some extent, Arizona public schools followed nationwide trends and used incremental general fund dollars to expand student services such as teachers’ aides, medical staff and increased special education staff. …