Arizona Educational Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Teachstem is a workforce readiness program aimed at combating the Arizona stem teacher shortage. The program motivates 9th-12th grade high school students to become stem teachers and also provides teaching resources for educators in grades 5th-8th to infuse classrooms with stem skills by introducing students to a variety of stem careers. Aef pairs an Arizona teacher of the year and other master stem educators with a high school to serve as a stem coach to not only teach students vital stem learning skills, but also work with them on becoming stem teachers. The first time most high school students learn about stem is through a teacher; yet, with stem teacher shortages plaguing almost every high school in Arizona, opportunities for students to learn from and interact with stem educators are growing few and far between. Teachstem is fostering the next generation of stem teachers for Arizona schools. The program also utilizes stem subject matter experts who are guest speakers and talk with students about stem careers. The principals' leadership academy of Arizona (plaa) was launched in september 2008, in response to a strong demand statewide for leadership training programs to prepare the next generation of school leaders in Arizona. With its wealth of expert principals identified through the a+ school of excellence program, aef is well-positioned to formulate and develop a successful academy. Plaa curriculum is grounded in the professional standards for educational leadership, developed nationally by members of the national policy board for educational administration and education experts assembled by the council of chief state school officers based in Washington dc. Now in its 16th year, the plaa cohort comprises new and aspiring principals from elementary and secondary public traditional and charter schools. Participants are paired with a+ school of excellence principals who mentor and assist them with developing their leadership skills. Classes are held on seven saturdays throughout the school year. Instruction is a rich blend of practice and theory. Class sessions consist of direct instruction and expert speakers to inform participants on topics such as: community and business involvement in schools; developing and maintaining a positive culture of learning; what outstanding teachers need from their administrators; communication skills; advocating effectively for a school community; and dealing with public policy makers. To date, over 265 school leaders have successfully completed the plaa. Aef collaborates with three other education organizations in Arizona to launch the take your legislator to school program. This initiative identifies award-winning teachers and teacher leaders, pairing them with Arizona state legislators who from the district in which their school is situated. Teacher hosts invite their legislator to shadow them for a day in their classroom. Goals for the program are (a) to give the elected official a glimpse into a day in the life of an Arizona teacher and (b) to formulate and foster a sustainable partnership and understanding between the teacher and the legislator. Since it's inception, the take your legislator to school program has resulted in nearly 426 visits by legislators to teachers' classrooms. It is the hope of aef that eventually all 90 of Arizona's legislators will have a teacher partner, and that 90 visits will occur each year. Our world launched in spring 2021 to provide training to schools, districts, businesses, and nonprofits in equity, diversity, inclusion. It was developed in collaboration with a cohort of Arizona teachers of the year and higher education partners. Our world training provides the tools needed to build culturally inclusive learning and work environments; helps individuals to recognize and combat racism on school, corporate, and nonprofit campuses; and fosters open communication about the issues of bias, race, and social justice. Ultimately, the program seeks to create saf

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 91.8%; rating input score 92
• Fundraising efficiency: $175.33 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Missing
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 0%; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -49.8%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.1; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.16; rating input score 36; 36th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 10.7%; rating input score 35; 35th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 13.6% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 10% per year; rating input score 100; 66th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.7% per year; rating input score 100; 50th percentile among comparable filings