Arizona Voters' Longstanding Priorities Add Up to a Comprehensive Education Agenda

New research shows overwhelming support for priorities spanning early learning, academic foundations, workforce preparation, post-secondary, and accountability for public dollars

PHOENIX, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Arizona voters have shown remarkable and consistent strong agreement on what they want for education in the state, and new statewide research shows the breadth of that shared agenda for the state's future. Across political affiliations and age groups, voters strongly support priorities spanning academic foundations, preparation for work and life, education and training after high school, greater opportunity, and accountability for public dollars.

The 2026 Arizona Voters' Agenda from Center for the Future of Arizona (CFA) builds on years of statewide research showing education as a shared public value and a longstanding priority, central to the future Arizonans want for themselves, their communities, and the state. The new findings bring those priorities together in a comprehensive picture of what voters want Arizona's education system to deliver.

Ninety-one percent of voters agree Arizona's future depends on a strong public education system that prepares students for success in life and work, including 86% of Republicans, 92% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 96% of Democrats.

"The breadth and consistency of agreement on education are significant," said Dr. Sybil Francis, Chair, President & CEO of CFA. "Arizonans may not agree on every policy or solution, but they have been remarkably clear about what matters -- strong foundations, multiple pathways to learning and work, opportunity throughout life, and preparation for a changing economy. They have given leaders a clear set of priorities. Now candidates and leaders need to explain how they will make progress on them."

Public Dollars Come with an Expectation of Accountability

One of the most active education policy debates in Arizona centers on the growth of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs)/vouchers, and views differ. But even within those debates, voters strongly agree on the foundational principle that public dollars should require transparency and accountability.

Ninety percent of voters say all schools receiving public funding should publicly report information about student outcomes and performance, including 93% of Republicans, 91% of independent and unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats. Wherever public education dollars are spent, voters expect transparency to understand where dollars are being invested and with what results.

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SOURCE Center for the Future of Arizona