Arizona Horizon Archives - Eight, Arizona PBS

Common Core Education Standards | Video
- A bill being tied into the new “Common Core” education standards is facing strong criticism from those who see it as a national takeover of education. The bill, while not mentioning Common Core, would allow the state to transition from the AIMS test to another as a high school graduation requirement. Representative Heather Carter and Laddie Shane of the Maricopa County Republican Party discuss the pros and cons of the issue.

Arizona's Renewable Energy | Video
- A move to reduce renewable energy standards for APS by the Arizona Corporation Commission has been tabled, but incentives for large commercial solar power projects have been cut. Commissioner Gary Pierce will discuss the commission’s stance on renewable energy.

Common Core Education Standards | Video
- This fall, Arizona schools will implement rigorous new academic standards. Find out more about the Common Core Education Standards from State Board of Education President Jaime Molera and Higley Unified School District Superintendent Denise Birdwell.

Arizona Common Core Education Standards | Video
- Arizona is implementing new, more rigorous education standards this year. The Common Core Educational Standards have been adopted by 44 states to improve math and language skills among students. Arizona State Superintendent John Huppenthal and Arizona Education Association President Andrew Morrill will discuss the common core standards.

Arizona’s Science Standards | Video
- Science Standards for Arizona’s public schools recently received a “D” grade from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a Washington-based education think tank. Darcy Renfro of Science Foundation Arizona comments on the findings.

Career and Technical Education | Video
- The FY2012 state budget eliminates career and technical education funding for 9th grade students. Find out how that impacts Arizona’s efforts to prepare high school students for the workforce. Guests include Carolyn Warner, co-chair of the Arizona Skill Standards Commission; Jac Heiss, superintendent of the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry and Technology; and Brandon Ames, CEO of ABLE Information Technologies.

Energy Efficiency Standard | Video
- The Arizona Corporation Commission recently approved one of the most aggressive energy efficiency standards in the nation. It requires regulated utilities to reduce the amount of energy they sell 22% by 2020. Jeff Schlegel of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project and ASU professor Matthew Croucher discuss what it will take to reach that goal.

Immigration Law Enforcement Guidelines | Video
- Lyle Mann, executive director of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST), shares the proposed training guidelines to enforce Arizona’s new immigration law.

The End of AIMS? | Video
- A new state task force will consider changing or replacing the AIMS test. The Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards is a high stakes exam that high school students must pass in order to graduate. Join Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, Arizona Education Association President, John Wright, and Dr. Karen Nicodemus, a member of the Governor's P-20 Council as they talk about the future of the AIMS test for measuring student achievement in Arizona. AZ Dept. of Education's AIMS Information Center

student Testing & School Accountability
- state and federal school accountability systems are sending mixed messages about the quality of Arizona�s public schools. Find out why Arizona�s top-rated schools can fail to meet federal standards for adequate yearly progress. Guests: Tom Horne, Arizona Superintendent of Schools; Ed Sloat, Peoria Unified School District Department of Education School Report Cards

special Eight programming
- Buzz Buzz is more than just a TV show. It comprises television, an interactive Web site (www.azpbs.org/buzz) and uniquely Arizona educational materials that help teachers meet new Arizona arts standards. Discussions for the concept showcasing Arizona�s emerging arts scene began more than a year ago, eventually involving more than 20 community organizations. The pilot episode features work by three Valley artists � Phoenix Symphony violist and director of Downtown Chamber Series Mark Dix who brings chamber music to new audiences at downtown art galleries; fashion and ASU Dance Department costume designer Galina Mihaleva designs for dancers, models, rock stars and nanotechnologists; and urban designer and Dean of the ASU College of Design Wellington Reiter who envisions a Phoenix Sky Harbor airport where planes, condos and pools might one day co-exist. The pilot also lets viewers know where they can see and hear the work of the featured artists as well as other artists in the same fields.

Arizona Education Update: Arts Education Part two of four
- Few will argue against arts education as a way to develop imaginative, higher-level thinking skills. But what are the standards for arts education in public schools? How widely does funding and program framework for arts education vary from district to district and school to school? Vivian Wessel, executive director of the Arizona Alliance for Arts Education and Darcy Olsen, president of the Goldwater Institute join the studio discussion.

AIMS Test
- The Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) is designed to provide educators with information about students� knowledge and understanding of various subjects, including math, reading and writing. While many support such standardized testing programs, others say the AIMS test is neither fair nor accurate in determining a student's potential. James Middleton, Division Director of Curriculum and Instruction at ASU College of Education and David Berliner, Regents Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at ASU College of Education will discuss the issue.