This community-based initiative brings together representatives from K–12 and postsecondary education, business and industry, nonprofits, and the Town of Sahuarita to pursue a shared vision and leverage resources so that all students have access to college and career readiness programs and receive two years of paid tuition at Pima Community College. The initiative exemplifies the SUSD mission, “Working as a Team to Help Every Student Succeed.”
Sahuarita Times: Sahuarita WINS!
Quality Early Learning
Education and Workforce Development Roundtable
The Education and Workforce Development Roundtable is a centralized body reporting to the City Council that streamlines and coordinates efforts to advance Mesa’s education and workforce development goals, including but not limited to:
- Increasing and maintaining enrollment in education programs, including in early childhood, vocational, trade, and postsecondary education programs.
- Improving completion rates of education, vocational, and trade programs.
- Achieving higher educational attainment, including increased attainment of professional certifications and licenses and postsecondary degrees.
- Expanding job opportunities.
- Building successful careers, a competitive workforce, and a strong local economy.
- Providing equitable access to work and learning opportunities, resources, and support so that all can participate, prosper, and thrive in Mesa’s vibrant community and workforce.
The Roundtable works in partnership with experts in education, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and Mesa residents to advance these goals.
Mayor’s Reading Club
This unique partnership between the City of Casa Grande and the Casa Grande Elementary School District supports volunteers who spend one hour each month reading to students in two-to-four elementary classrooms a day. Schedules and classroom assignments are coordinated by the Casa Grande Public Library. The City also participates in the AARP Foundation Experience Corps program where tutors work one-on-one with students who need additional help with reading.
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
Triple P — a highly effective parenting program — provides free classes to Tempe residents facilitated by accredited practitioners. Classes help parents develop the skills needed to raise confident, healthy children and teenagers, and to build stronger family relationships. The program also helps parents prevent and manage misbehavior. Parents may customize the program to meet their needs by choosing from options such as one-time discussion groups, short series seminars, in-depth group courses, and individual sessions.
Mesa K-Ready
This City-initiated, community collaborative, led by Mesa Public Schools, provides early learning opportunities for three- and four-year-old children and their parents. Funded through public and private contributions, the program serves about 200 participants each week. The goal is to increase the percentage of Mesa’s preschoolers engaged in quality early learning from 36 percent to the national average of 48 percent. Focused on cognitive development, social-emotional learning, and strong families, the program ensures seamless access to existing resources, enrichment activities, and fun activities at museums, parks, and libraries.
Tempe PRE
In 2017 the Tempe City Council allocated $6 million for 20 preschool classrooms now located in 12 elementary schools and serving approximately 360 children. This high-quality, tuition-based, full-day preschool program is open to families living or working in Tempe and neighboring cities. The program is five days a week with schedules corresponding to those of the individual elementary schools. Benefits include small class sizes, a play-based curriculum, and certified teachers. Financial assistance — including full tuition, half-tuition, and free tuition — is available to qualified families.
