Horne Takes Action To Eliminate “Unnecessary And Unmerited Red Tape” For Schools

red tape

On Monday, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne announcing his intention to eliminate what many educators believe is unnecessary and unmerited red tape involved in the Comprehensive Needs Assessment.

Each year, federal law requires schools to file a Comprehensive Needs Assessment explaining the tools and strategies needed to improve academic performance in order to receive Title I money for low-income schools and other federal formula grants. Horne has directed that requirement to be reduced from a massive 168 questions to 20 questions.

“The previous Comprehensive Needs Assessment was weighed down with absurd measurements regarding Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which many teachers have complained is just a series of games that detract from teaching reading and math,” said Horne in a press release.

“The prior emphasis on SEL issues meant the report grew to an unmanageable 80 pages with 168 questions. Now there are 20 questions on six pages, all devoted to improving core academics,” explained Horne.

Horne also announced that the department is also implementing an updated tool for the yearly Kindergarten Entry Assessment (KEA) pilot program. It reduces administration time by more than 80 percent, permitting rapid identification of critical student needs. Now teachers will be able to spend more time on classroom instruction.

Erik Francis, a consultant specializing in improving failing schools praised the move. “For the last two administrations, the Arizona Department of Education has placed an unnecessary and unmerited burden of paperwork on schools,” said Francis. “This has caused schools to be more focused on paperwork rather than implementing the goals, strategies, and action steps to serve schools. I am enthused to see the current administration is more assistive, open, and supportive than it has been in a decade.”

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