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VOICES FOR EDUCATION-ARIZONA CHILDREN FIRST

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860996116 · Form 990EZ · FY2021 · NTEE B94 · Education · Micro (<$100K) · voicesforeducation.org
revenue
$2K
expenses
$2K
net assets
$627
employees
mission · from form 990

ADVOCATE FOR CHILDRENS EDUCATION

profile · synthesized from sources

Voices for Education-Arizona Children First is an advocacy organization focused on protecting and improving public education in Arizona. It researches and exposes the negative impacts of privatization efforts like charter schools and vouchers, while advocating for proven solutions such as highly effective teachers and smaller class sizes. The organization aims to inform the public and influence policy to benefit all students.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Class Size Reduction Initiative
Advocacy and research program focused on reducing class sizes, particularly in K-3, by providing data to policymakers and community members and working with school districts like TUSD and Sunnyside.
The Privatization of Public Education
Research and advocacy initiative exposing the negative impacts of charter schools, vouchers, and corporate tax credits on public education, identifying key players and their influence.
What Works and What Doesn’t Work
Research and advocacy initiative promoting proven educational solutions such as highly effective teachers, increased teacher pay, and smaller class sizes, while critiquing policies like vouchers and increased testing.
activities · 3 clusters

what they do

  • Class Size Reduction Research & Advocacy 9 activities
    • Advocacy for Class Size Reduction
      Leads efforts in Arizona to reduce class sizes, particularly in K-3, by providing research to stakeholders, advocating for policy changes, and working to hold the legislature accountable for issues affecting students. This includes identifying funding sources and collaborating with school districts like TUSD and Sunnyside.
    • Advocacy for Class Size Reduction
      Leads efforts in Arizona to reduce class sizes, particularly in K-3, by providing research to stakeholders, advocating for policy changes, and working to hold the legislature accountable for issues affecting students. This includes identifying funding sources and collaborating with school districts like TUSD and Sunnyside.
    • Class Size Reduction Advocacy and Research
      Leads statewide advocacy efforts for reducing class sizes in K-3, including holding the legislature accountable, identifying sustainable funding sources, and supporting district-level initiatives in Tucson and Sunnyside School Districts. Publishes and distributes research reports such as "Smaller Classes. Brighter Futures" and the "Putting Children First" series on the impact and success of class size reduction.
    • Class Size Reduction Advocacy and Research
      Leads statewide advocacy for reducing class sizes in K-3, including holding the legislature accountable, identifying sustainable funding methods, and supporting district-level initiatives in Tucson and Sunnyside School Districts. The organization has been active in this effort since 2000.
    • Class Size Reduction Research and Advocacy
      Conducts and publishes research on class size reduction in Arizona, including reports such as 'Smaller Classes. Brighter Futures' and 'Putting Children First: TUSD’s Class Size Reduction Initiative,' which document academic improvements and program expansion in Tucson Unified School District. The organization has led advocacy efforts on this issue since 2000, distributing findings to parents, policymakers, and the public.
    • Education Research and Reporting
      Conducts and publishes original research on education reform, including class size reduction and the impact of policy changes on public education. Produces reports and surveys, such as findings on student preferences for smaller classes and evaluations of district-level initiatives, and connects the community with credible research resources.
    • Research on Class Size Reduction Outcomes
      Publishes reports and distributes research on the benefits and success of class size reduction initiatives, including specific studies on Tucson Unified School District's program and youth preferences for smaller class sizes.
    • Research on Class Size Reduction and Educational Outcomes
      Conducts and publishes research on the impact of smaller class sizes, including reports such as 'Smaller Classes. Brighter Futures' and 'Putting Children First: TUSD’s Class Size Reduction Initiative,' which document reading improvements in at-risk kindergarten students and the expansion of successful programs across grade levels.
    • State-Level Education Advocacy
      Advocates for K–3 class size reduction across Arizona by engaging with the legislature, identifying sustainable funding models, and supporting local initiatives in districts like Sunnyside. The organization also operates a legislative alert system to connect community members with policymakers and track education policy changes.
  • Parent & Caregiver Leadership Development 6 activities
    • Community Engagement and Policy Connection
      Connects the community with policymakers through an email legislative alert system, tracks policy changes, and creates opportunities for conversations between stakeholders. The organization also operates the Tucson Parent Forum and Parent Leadership Institutes.
    • Community Engagement and Policy Connection
      Connects the community with policymakers through an email legislative alert system, tracks policy changes, and creates opportunities for conversations between stakeholders. The organization also operates the Tucson Parent Forum and Parent Leadership Institutes.
    • Community and Policymaker Engagement
      Operates the Tucson Parent Forum and Parent Leadership Institutes to engage families in education advocacy. Connects the community with policymakers through a legislative alert email system, tracks policy changes, and facilitates stakeholder conversations.
    • Parent Engagement and Leadership Development
      Operates the Tucson Parent Forum and Parent Leadership Institutes to engage and train parents in education advocacy and community leadership.
    • Parent Engagement and Leadership Development
      Operates the Tucson Parent Forum and Parent Leadership Institutes to engage and empower parents in education advocacy and decision-making processes.
    • Policy Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
      Connects community members with policymakers through a legislative email alert system, tracks policy changes, and facilitates stakeholder conversations to influence education policy in Arizona.
  • Education Policy & Funding Analysis 5 activities
    • Dark Money and Education Policy Research
      Investigates and publishes findings on the influence of dark money in Arizona politics and education policy, including analysis of contributions from Koch-affiliated networks to political campaigns and initiatives such as the defeat of Prop 204 and funding for Freedom Schools. Documents legislative changes like Arizona SB 1516 that enabled increased dark money spending.
    • Research on Dark Money in Arizona Education Policy
      Investigates and publishes findings on the influence of dark money in Arizona politics and education, including analysis of SB 1516, Koch network contributions to Doug Ducey’s campaigns, and anonymous funding of Freedom Schools at public universities. This research is disseminated through articles and reports with multimedia components.
    • Research on Dark Money in Arizona Education Politics
      Investigates and publishes findings on the influence of dark money in Arizona politics, including analysis of SB 1516, Koch network contributions to Doug Ducey’s campaigns, funding of anti-education initiatives like the opposition to Prop 204, and $5 million in anonymous funding for Freedom Schools at University of Arizona and ASU in 2016.
    • Research on Education Reform and Dark Money
      Conducts and publishes credible research on education reform strategies, including the impact of "dark money" in Arizona politics on education funding and policy. This involves analyzing legislative changes, campaign finance, and the influence of specific organizations.
    • Research on Education Reform and Funding
      Conducts and disseminates credible research on education reform strategies, including the impact of "dark money" in Arizona politics and the benefits of class size reduction. This involves publishing reports, articles, and connecting the community with other research resources.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2021

the money

revenue
Total revenue$2K
Contributions & grants$2K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2K
Program expenses
Admin / overhead
Fundraising
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$1K
Cash
Investments
Liabilities
Net assets$627
1 years on record · 2021–2021
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2021

who runs it

board members · 1
  • ROBIN HILLER — EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
relationships · 39

who they work with

  • 60 Plus Associates Partner — Group that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • Advancement Project Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics Partner — Cited by Voices for Education to support the importance of recess for student development.
  • American Encore Partner — Group that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • Americans for Responsible Leadership Partner — Group that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • Arizona Free Enterprise Fund Partner — Group that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Brennan Center for Justice Partner — Cited an analysis by the Brennan Center for Justice on campaign spending in state and local elections.
  • Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University Partner — Cited research from CREDO on charter school performance.
  • David Berliner Partner — Professor whose research on the misuse of the IREAD-3 exit exam and the flaws of third-grade retention policies is cited by Voices for Education.
  • Deborah Meier Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Diane Ravitch Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • East Valley Tribune Partner — Cited an investigation by the East Valley Tribune regarding fraud in Arizona's tax credit scholarship programs.
  • FairTest Partner — Provides resources and works with Voices for Education to fight testing on a state and national level, using the same resolution.
  • Forum for Education and Democracy Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Gene Glass Partner — Co-author of "50 Myths & Lies that Threaten America’s Public Schools," whose work on the flaws of third-grade retention policies is cited by Voices for Education.
  • Journey4 Justice Partner — Promotes the 10,000 community schools model, which aligns with their wrap-around services approach
  • Larry Ferlazzo Partner — Conducted an interview with Berliner and Glass about their book, cited by Voices for Education.
  • Legacy Foundation Action Fund Partner — Group out of Iowa that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • MecklenburgACTS Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Milton Friedman foundation Partner — Cited data from the Milton Friedman foundation regarding ESA recipients' income levels.
  • NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • National Education Association Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • New York Performance Standards Consortium Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Parents Across America Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Parents United for Responsible Education-Chicago Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Prosper Inc. Partner — Group that gave "dark money" to Ducey's victory in the 2014 general election.
  • Race to Nowhere Partner — Helped write the resolution on high-stakes testing that Voices for Education uses.
  • Seattle NAACP Partner — Made a statement to Congress regarding the negative impact of standardized tests on Black people and immigrants, cited by Voices for Education.
  • Stephen Krashen Partner — Reading expert whose research disputing the necessity of reading well by third grade is cited by Voices for Education.
+ 9 more