15-248. Arizona national rankings; annual report

A. The department of education shall collect, evaluate and assess existing studies and findings conducted by any public or private entity on the national rankings and overall quality of schools in this state based on the following:

1. Academic productivity as measured by academic progress indicators. The academic productivity measures shall include the areas of reading, writing and mathematics and other academic categories determined by the department.

2. Ratings of school quality by parents.

B. The department may further evaluate, but is not limited to, the following school funding issues:

1. The average salaries of teachers who provide instruction in school districts in this state compared to the average salaries of teachers with similar levels of experience and education in other states.

2. Other funding categories determined by the department.

C. For the purposes of this section, studies and findings that are evaluated by the department may be conducted by any public or private entity, except that the department shall rely only on research it determines is scientifically reliable. The department may request that additional specialized research be conducted by public or private entities selected by the department.

D. The department shall search scientific literature and select a national ranking study of the performance of each state's schools that used the most scientifically sound methodology in the ranking process. The department shall identify all the data elements used in the study and shall duplicate those data elements using the most recent available data. The department shall attempt to identify the characteristics of the top ten ranked states and the bottom ten ranked states in all areas that impact the quality of education.

E. The department shall submit electronically an annual report on or before December 1 regarding its findings to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The department shall provide copies of this report to the secretary of state and the director of the Arizona state library, archives and public records. The department shall present its findings at a public meeting for discussion and analysis.