Investigative Reporter - Education

Zoe Edelstein, 13, poses for a photo in her family's home in Phoenix on July 17, 2022. Edelstein switched to online learning because she suffered from severe anxiety and her school had a shortage of mental health providers.. Photo by Isaac Stone Simonelli | AZCIR

Permanent funding solution elusive as mental health provider shortage plagues Arizona schools

by Maria Polletta and Shaena Montanari July 21, 2022March 6, 2023

A spherule, the Valley fever fungus in its tissue-invasive form, is shown here in this lab image recovered from a patient with Valley fever pneumonia. Image courtesy Valley Fever Center for Excellence.

A national epicenter for Valley fever infections, Arizona gets first major state funding boost in 15 years

by Maria Polletta April 12, 2022April 11, 2022

Presley Nassise explains the rules of a class exercise to children at Premier Children's Center in Phoenix on Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Alberto Mariani | AZCIR

Report: Child care woes cost Arizona economy $1.8 billion a year

by Maria Polletta December 3, 2021December 2, 2021

Child care proviChild care provider Missaaliyah Jackson uses flashcards with Remi Goff, 2, at Premier Children's Center in Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Alberto Mariani | AZCIRder Missaaliyah Jackson uses flashcards to help Remi Goff, 2, right, identify various objects and animals in her class at Premier Children's Center in Phoenix on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Alberto Mariani | AZCIR

State leaders’ decade of neglect imperiled fragile child care system. The pandemic nearly made it collapse.

by Maria Polletta November 4, 2021November 4, 2021

Corona del Sol High School math teacher Dan Ray instructs a group of juniors and seniors in pre-calculus on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Photo by Brandon Quester | AZCIR

Education, Health

Public information lacking as COVID-19 surges in Arizona classrooms

by Maria Polletta and Shaena Montanari August 31, 2021October 25, 2023