December 16th, 2021 2 Minute Read Press Release

New Issue Brief: Analyzing the Microschooling Environment in Arizona

The proliferation of choice programs and the state’s light-touch approach to regulation have allowed microschools to flourish in Arizona

NEW YORK, NY — When microschooling gained national attention a few years ago and then Covid-19 increased parental interest in non-district alternatives, Arizona was primed to meet the demand. Its commitment to school innovation and choice paired with its policy environment makes it a natural fit for microschools. In a new issue brief for the Manhattan Institute—the third installment in its microschooling seriesMichael McShane, director of national research at EdChoice, details the policy choices that have allowed microschooling to take root in Arizona and profiles the emergence and expansion of Prenda, a local microschooling network founded in Arizona.

McShane argues that you cannot understand the success of microschools in Arizona until you understand Arizona’s unique school environment. He attributes success to the combination of four factors: demographics, policy, culture, and performance. Policymakers in Arizona were willing to experiment aggressively with school choice because of the state’s libertarian roots, the sense that significant educational change was required, and the need for new schools to address growing enrollment. The Grand Canyon State has proven that the policy choices made by state officials over years—rules related to funding, chartering, online learning, homeschooling, and more—largely determine whether microschooling can take root and bloom.

About MI’s Microschooling Series

The Manhattan Institute’s new series on microschools studies the intersection of small learning environments and public policy. The series includes studies of Idaho, Arizona, and New York, and a summary report by senior fellow Andy Smarick. The passage of the first charter-school and private-school choice programs 30 years ago began an era of families and educators developing a growing array of K-12 options. The subsequent growth in homeschooling and the advent of online programs further expanded the number and types of learning environments available to American students. In recent years, small-school environments have become increasingly popular options, enabling students to learn in more intimate settings and allowing parents to be more engaged in their children’s schooling. The Covid-19 pandemic and recent debates about changes in school curriculum accelerated the expansion and diversification of such alternatives. The series explores these shifting dynamics and discusses pathways for continued growth. Click here to read more.

Click here to view the full issue brief.

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