>> UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

WE'LL COMPARE THE ECONOMIC POLICIES BY THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

AND IMPROVING EDUCATION BY CUSTOMIZING LEARNING.

AND A NEW PLAYGROUND BY THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON, I'M TED SIMONS PIN OPERATION THAT COOLED OFF A BIT LAST MONTH ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS, AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IN JULY WAS 2.9% ON A YEARLY BASIS DOWN FROM 3% IN JUNE, AND THE FIRST TIME IN 2021 THAT INFLATION IN HAS SLIPPED BELOW HE 3%.

THAT SAID THE PACE OF PRICE INCREASES IS STILL ABOVE THE 2% RATE OTHERWISE CONSIDERED NORMAL FOR THE PANDEMIC REACTION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE HERE.

>> WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON INFLATION IN AND DOING SO WITH SOME MOMENTUM.

>> WHILE THE TREND IS OUR FRIEND, OUR WORK IS FAR FROM DONE.

ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS, IT'S AS URGENT AND -- URGENT AND AS IMPORTANT AS EVER WE WILL PROGRESSIVELY LOOK TO LOWER THE COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, CHILD CARE, ENERGY, I KNOW THE PRICE AT THE PUMPS IS 2.2% OVER THE PAST EARNINGS SUPPORTS AND GROCERY AREAS AND ANY OTHER AREAS WHERE WE CAN HELP FAMILY BUDGETS.

>> TODAY'S INFLATION IN REPORT ALMOST CERTAINLY MEANS THAT THE FED WILL LOWER INTEREST RATES NEXT MONTH.

THE ARIZONA SUPREME COURT TODAY RULED THAT THE PHRASE "UNBORN HUMAN BEING" CAN BE USED IN DESCRIBING PROP 139 ON ABORTION RIGHTS INITIATIVE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE DECISION REVERSES A SUPERIOR COURT RULING SAYING IT'S IMPARTIAL AND THUS VIOLATES WORDING REQUIREMENTS FOR BALLOT MEASURES.

SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE WANTED THE WORD FETUS TO BE USED INSTEAD OF "UNBORN HUMAN BEING," BUT THE COURT RULED OTHERWISE.

>>> UPDATE ON A REPORT IN A DEAL INVOLVING A GOVERNOR.

THE AGREEMENT IS NOT A DONE DEAL.

A JUDGE IN THE CASE DIDN'T LIKE HOW THE AGREEMENT STATED THAT THE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS IN WORKING AROUND THE SENATE WERE ILLEGAL.

THE JUDGE SAID THAT THE DELAY OF THE GOVERNOR'S ACTIONS WAS NOT CONSIDERED BY HIS RULING AND THUS SHOULDN'T BE PART OF THE AGREEMENT.

ALL OF WHICH MEANS A LAWSUIT FILED BY THE SENATE IS STILL ON UNLESS A MODIFIED AGREEMENT IS SUBMITTED BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

>>> TWO NATIONAL POLLS SHOW THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DECISION TO END HIS RE-ELECTION BID IS GENERATING EXCITEMENT AMONG DEMOCRATIC VOTERS.

AMONG THE UNIVERSITY POLL FOUND THAT 85% OF REGISTERED DEMOCRATS SAY THEY'RE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS' CAMPAIGN.

THAT'S NEARLY DOUBLE THE NUMBER FROM THE SAME KNOLL JUNE WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS STILL IN THE RACE.

A SIMILAR POLL FROM APP FINDS THAT 63% OF LEFT-LEANING VOTERS SAY THEY'D BE EXCITED IF HARRIS WON IN NOVEMBER, ONLY 40% SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT BACK IN MARCH.

>>> AND OPINIONS ARE CHANGING ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL.

A NEW GALLUP POLL FINDS THAT NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS SAY THAT HAVING ONE OR TWO ALCOHOLIC DRINK AS DAY IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST NUMBER YET IN THE ANNUAL SURVEY CONDUCTED SINCE 2001.

YOUNGER ADULTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO SAY THAT DRINKING WASN'T GOOD FOR YOU, AND OVERALL, ONLY 8% OF ADULTS REPORTED THAT THEY THOUGHT MODERATE DRINKING HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT ON HEALTH.

>>> ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE TOP OF MIND FOR MANY VOTERS THIS ELECTION YEAR, AND VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP APPEAR TO HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IDEAS ON HOW TO HANDLE THINGS LIKE TAXES AND TARIFFS ALONG WITH GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND REGULATORY POLICIES.

JOINING US NOW IS ECONOMIST DENNIS HOFFMAN, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU HERE.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE, TED.

>> PRIORITIES, POLICIES, MESSAGES, HOW ARE THEY NOT MEET SOMETHING IN.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING TO ME THAT -- TO THINK THROUGH THE DIFFERENCES IN POLICIES ON THE TWO CANDIDATES, TED.

I'M ALSO VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR FEEDBACK FROM OPINION POLLS ABOUT WHO THEY THINK WOULD BE BEST -- WHO PEOPLE THINK WOULD BE BEST TO HANDLE THE ECONOMY.

AND IT TENDS TO BE MR. TRUMP IN THE OPINION POLLS IN THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, WHO WOULD BE BEST TO HANDLE THE ECONOMY.

AND I THINK THAT REALLY IS PRETTY SIMPLE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

PEOPLE UPSET ABOUT INFLATION IN THE MOST BE RECENT PRESIDENT HAS BEEN PRESIDENT BY -- VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS FOR THE LAST ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND RECS OF 2018 AND 2019 WERE MR. TRUMP AND THERE WAS NO INFLATION IN THEN.

AIR GO THEY CONCLUDE THAT MR. TRUMP WOULD BE BETTER FIGHTING INFLATION IN.

BUT THE QUESTION IS WHAT ARE THE POLICIES WITH MR. TRUMP GOING FORWARD.

IT'S NOT ABOUT 2018, 2019, IT'S ABOUT THE POLICIES GOING FORWARD AND THE POLICIES OF MS. HARRIS.

>> VICE-PRESIDENT HARRIS VOWS TO TAKE ON PRICE GOUGING AS A WAY TO COMBAT INFLATION IN.

THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THAT'S STILL THE BUZZ WORD WHEN YOU WANT TO BE ANTI-CORPORATE AND, YOU KNOW, POINT FINGERS AT THOSE NASTY CORPORATIONS.

BUT I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT WHEN THERE IS INFLATION IN IN THE ECONOMY, WHEN -- YOU KNOW, WHEN THERE'S 3, 4, 5% INFLATION IN, OPERATIONS HAVE PRICE IN POWER, AND THAT'S WHEN THEY TAKE ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE PRICES.

>> WE JUST FOUND OUT TODAY, IT MENTION IN THE HEADLINES INFLATION IN DOWN TO 2.9%, 2% OF THE FEDS SEEMS TO -- THE LOWER INTEREST RATES NEXT GO-AROUND -- THE NUMBERS SEEM TO BE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WHEN YOU'RE AT THE GROCERY STORE, WHEN YOU'RE AT THE HARDWARE STORE, ARE THE NUMBERS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY THEY'RE HEAD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

YOU KNOW, THIS 2% THING, IT'S -- IT'S PROBLEMATIC, I THINK, TED.

YOU KNOW, THIS WAS BACK 2014, 2015, INFLATION IN WAS HOVERING AROUND .5 OR 1%.

AND THE FEDS SAID LET'S SET A 2% INFLATION IN TARGET BECAUSE IT WAS SO FAR BELOW IT.

AND THAT SOMEHOW MAGICALLY BECAME INFLATION IN.

IN THE '80S AND IN THE '90S, WE HAD 3 AND 4% INFLATION IN.

WE DID PRETTY WELL.

NOW, 3 AND 4% MAY BE TOO HOT FOR TODAY'S FOLKS, BUT, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHERE IN THE 2s IS GREAT.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT GROCERY STORE, REAL QUICK, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE PRICES AT THE GROCERY STORE, REMEMBER, THE RANGES ARE UP LOW PRESSURE AS MUCH SINCE 2019.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT TAXES, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE WANTS TO EXTEND TAX CUTS AND HARRIS SAYS LOOKING FOR A MIDDLE AND WORKING CLASS TAX CREDIT, WHICH WE KIND OF SIMILAR I GUESS REDEEMED IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE BIDEN TAX CREDITS WERE IMPLEMENTED.

DO THESE MAKE SENSE IN TERMS OF IMPACTING THE ECONOMY AND IMPACTING AVERAGE AMERICANS?

>> WELL, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS INFLATION IN.

TAX CUTS ARE A FISCAL STIMULUS.

WE'VE GOT HUGE FISCAL STIMULUS IN THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT'S REALLY A DERIVATIVE OF A LOT OF OUR INFLATION IN.

ANOTHER SET OF TAX CUTS, YOU KNOW, TARGETED TAX CUTS ON TIPS, ON SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS, MAINTAINING TAX CUTS ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS, TAX CUTS ON CORPORATIONS, THIS IS GOING TO BE INFLATIONARY.

NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

>> HARRIS WANTS TO INCREASE CORPORATE TAX RATES.

TRUMP WANTS TO CUT CORPORATE TAX RATES.

>> YEAH, KIND OF FUZZY AS TO HOW MUCH UP AND HOW MUCH DOWN.

>> DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU'RE STANDING IN THE CHECKOUT LINE?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE ON WALL STREET.

IF YOU LOOK AT -- IF YOU LOOK AT TRENDS, IT CERTAINLY DOES EXACERBATE THE DEFICIT, THOUGH, TED.

AND IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THAT, YOU KNOW, MORE TAX CUTS -- >> IS ANYONE WORRIED ABOUT DEBT ANYMORE?

I MEAN, GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, YOU CAN'T EVEN COUNTY THAT HIGH.

>> RIGHT.

AND WE'RE TOLD, THAT YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION AND MR. TRUMP WILL CUT SPENDING.

THEY'RE GONNA SPEND.

IT'S BORROW AND SPEND.

THEY POINT THE FINGERS AT THE DEMOCRATS AND SAY DEMOCRATS SHOULDN'T BE TAXING AND SPENDING.

I THINK TAXING AND SPENDING MAY BE MARGINALLY BETTER THAN BORROWING AND SPENDING.

AT LEAST YOU PAY FOR SOME IT.

>> TRUMP SAYS THEY CAN PAY FOR TAX CUTS AND ALL OF THOSE BY INCREASING TARIFFS, 10% ACROSS THE BOARD, AND IF IT'S COMING FROM CHINA, TARIFFS, IF IT'S COMING FROM CHINA, 16%.

TELL ME HOW DOES THAT NOT IMPACT INFLATION IN?

>> I'VE SPOKEN ON THE SHOW MANY, MANY TIMES ABOUT MY TENDENCIES TO BE A GLOBALIST AND THE BENEFITS OF TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE, TARIFFS AND PROTECTIONISM IS -- THESE ARE IDEAS THAT ARE STUCK IN THE '70S, THE 1770s.

THIS IS BEFORE ADAM SMITH WROTE WEALTH OF NATIONS.

THESE ARE JUST JOB KILLERS.

THEY'RE NOT PRO GROWTH.

IT'S NOT THAT YOU'RE GONNA GET BACK AT SOME FOREIGN COUNTRY BY RAISING TARIFFS.

TARIFFS WILL RESULT IN RETALIATIONS, WILL JUST SPIRAL DOWN, AND THINGS WILL COST MORE.

>> BUT THE IDEA IS WHAT YOU GET FROM CHINA, ESPECIALLY, BUT EVEN FROM CANADA AND MEXICO, IF YOU'RE ON THE TRUMP SIDE OF THINGS, YOU CAN BUILD, YOU CAN MAKE, YOU CAN SELL HERE AT HOME.

YOU BUYING THAT?

>> ULTIMATELY I SUPPOSE.

WELL, WE HAVE THREE CHOICES, WE PAY A LOT FOR IT AT HOME, GO WITHOUT IT, BUT EVEN THE TRANSITION, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?

WE DON'T MAKE ANY TVs IN THIS COUNTRY.

I MEAN, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO IN THE TRANSITION?

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT, AND ALL I SEE IS PRICE INCREASES.

AND SO THE QUESTION IS WHY DIDN'T WE SEE INFLATION IN THE FIRST TRUMP TERM?

THE ANSWER TO THAT REALLY IS, THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS, THERE WERE SOME PRETTY GOOD POLICYMAKERS, I THINK, ALONG WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

THEY LEFT, OR HE FIRED THEM.

MR. DUVALL PUSHED THEM OVER THE EDGE WITH TARIFFS.

WE'VE GOT TAX CUTS.

BUT THE ME AND DOING -- AND WE STARTED IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE, SO THAT MOMENTUM CARRIED FORWARD, AND THEN OF COURSE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

AND THE PANDEMIC I WOULD ARGUE NO PRESIDENT WOULD WANT TO BE SADDLED WITH THAT.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR MS. HARRIS AND IT WAS OBVIOUSLY DIFFICULT FOR MR. TRUMP.

>> BACK ON THE BIG ONE, WHICH I THINK IS INFLATION IN, THAT'S THE ONE PEOPLE ARE FOCUSING THE MOST ABOUT.

BETWEEN HARRIS AND TRUMP, DO EITHER ONE OF THEM HAVE A FIRM GRASP ON HOW TO RIDE THAT HORSE?

>> WELL, IT'S GONNA BE TOUGH.

YOU KNOW, TO ANALYZE WITH HARRIS, IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR TAXES RAISED AND YOU'RE A HIGH-INCOME EARNER, YOU'RE NOT GONNA BE A FAN OF MS. HARRIS.

SHE'S PROBABLY GOING TO RAISE TAXES FOR HIGH-INCOME PEOPLE, RIGHT, TED.

SHE SAYS NOT FOR LOWER-INCOME PEOPLE.

I THINK THE HARRIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO LET THE -- THOSE THAT ARE CONTINUING TO FIGHT AGAINST INFLATION IN, WHICH THEY APPEAR TO BE WINNING.

MR. TRUMP IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HE DID IN LATE 2018, HE GOT ALL UPSET BECAUSE THE FEDERAL RESERVE TRIED TO RAISE FLIGHT 2018, AND IT WAS VERY UPSETTING.

HE WANTS LOW INTEREST RATES.

LOW INTEREST RATES RIGHT NOW TOO MUCH CUTTING WILL BE GOOD FOR SOME OF US, BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE INFLATIONARY.

>> WE SHOULD MENTION HE ALSO WANTS MORE EXECUTIVE CONTROL OVER THE FED.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> DENNIS HOFFMAN, ASC ECONOMIST.

GOOD CONVERSATION.

FUN TO SEE YOU.

>> FUN TO TALK ABOUT THIS STUFF, TED.

>>> A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY BY THE CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA AND THE GALLUP ORGANIZATION IDENTIFIED SEVEN SHARED PUBLIC VALUES THAT MOST AFFECT EVERY DAY LIVES OF ARIZONANS.

TONIGHT A LOOK AT EDUCATION, SPECIFICALLY THE IDEA OF PERSONALIZED LEARNING, WHICH CUSTOMIZES THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE TO EACH STUDENT'S UNIQUE SKILLS AND ABILITIES.

PRODUCER SHAUNA FISCHER INTRODUCE US TO THIS PERSONALIZED FORM OF EDUCATION.

>> WE'RE DOING THE LANDMARK CHALLENGE.

>> REPORTER: MUCH LIKE THE MAN WHO THE SCHOOL IS NAMED AFTER, THEY'RE TRAILBLAZERS.

>> RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY LANDMARK.

>> REPORTER: THIS CLASSROOM SERVES AS THEIR BASE CAMP.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO PLAN YOUR DESIGN.

>> REPORTER: AND THESE TEACHERS ARE THEIR GUIDE.

THEIR JOURNEY STARTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS WERE AT AN IMPASSE.

>> WE WOULD SEE A LOT OF APATHY, NOT ONLY FROM STUDENTS BUT ALSO FROM FAMILIES, WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF SCHOOLING ANYMORE, AND SO REALLY FAST THINKING HOW CAN WE MAKE EDUCATION RELEVANT AGAIN.

>> REPORTER: PRESIDENT MIKE LAPIERRE SAID HE AND HIS STAFF HAD TO DO SOMETHING RADICAL TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

INSPIRED BY A SIMILAR PROGRAM AT A SCHOOL IN WISCONSIN AND WITH TRAINING, PRINCIPAL LAPIERRE AND A SMALL GROUP OF TEACH CARRIES UP WITH POST AND CREATE.

A PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT TO LEARN AND HOW THEY WANT TO LEARN IT.

THINK OF IT AS SORT OF AN ADVENTURE.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE EDUCATION RELEVANT, SO IF THEY HAVE CHOICE AND AGENCY IN HOW THEY LEARN, THEN WE BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL HAVE MORE OWNERSHIP.

>> REPORTER: THE PROGRAM COMBINES ENGLISH LANGUAGE, SCIENCE, AND SOCIAL STUDIES INTO A THREE-PERIOD BLOCK OR ABOUT TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

IT'S OPEN TO SEVENTH AND EIGHTH GRADERS AND ALL TYPES OF LEARNERS WHETHER THEY NEED AN EXTRA CHALLENGE OR NEED EXTRA HELP.

IF THEY'RE NOT WITH ELA, THEY CAN NEITHER GO TO SCIENCE NOR SOCIAL STUDIES.

>> REPORTER: USING THE INPUT FROM THE STUDENTS AND FOLLOWING STATE STANDARD, THE TEACHERS CREATE DAILY LESSONS.

THE END RESULT, HANDS-ON, HIGHLY CREATIVE AND ENGAGING CLASSES.

A SUCCESSFUL COMBINATION SAYS EIGHTH GRADE TEACHER MEGAN.

>> NO ONE WANTS TO COME TO SCHOOL FOR EIGHT HOURS A DAY AND GET TEXTBOOK AFTER TEXTBOOK.

>> REPORTER: TODAY'S LESSON FOCUSES ON LANDMARKS.

>> CLARA, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BUILD YOUR LANDMARK.

>> REPORTER: THE STUDENTS ARE DIVIDE FOOD IN SMALL GROUPS AND ASSIGNED A LANDMARK.

THEY DO RESEARCH AND USING MATERIALS MAKE A MODEL OF THE LANDMARK.

THEY HAVE ROUGHLY 30 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY.

TEACHERS CONSTANTLY CHECK IN WITH THE GROUPS AND OFFER GUIDANCE BUT THE STUDENTS ARE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, COLLABORATING AND FEEDING OFF EACH OTHER.

AT THE END EACH GROUP TEACH THE OTHERS ABOUT THEIR LANDMARK.

>> IT'S A MUSEUM -- >> REPORTER: AT FIRST EIGHTH-GRADER CORY WAS NERVOUS ABOUT POST AND CREATE.

BUT NOW... >> I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL THAT I'M ABLE TO DECIDE HOW I WANT TO LEARN AND WHAT I WANT TO LEARN.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IT'S EASIER TO ABSORB THE MATERIAL THIS WAY.

>> REPORTER: AND SHE SAYS THERE ARE OTHER BENEFITS, TOO.

>> I'VE LEARNED HOW TO CORROBORATE MORE BECAUSE WE DO SO MUCH HANDS-ON AND WE'RE ALWAYS IN GROUPS.

I'VE LEARNED LIKE HOW TO BE OPEN-MINDED MORE WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS OTHER THAN MY OWN.

>> REPORTER: THE STUDENTS ARE THRIVING AND MORE ENGAGED THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THEY DO NOT JUST REGURGITATE INFORMATION.

THEY ARE WILLING TO LEARN.

THEY BECOME THE EXPERT LEARNER.

THEY PUT THE OWNERSHIP ON THEMSELVES RATHER THAN THE TEACHER SITTING IN FRONT OF THE CLASS.

AND THEY'RE MAKING THESE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES AND CONNECTING IT TO THE REAL WORLD THAT YOU JUST DON'T SEE IN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL.

>> THE AWESOME THING IS TO WATCH THESE STUDENTS.

THEY ARE INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS THAT MAYBE THEY DON'T NORMALLY INTERACT WITH AT SCHOOL.

THEY -- SO THEY'RE LEARNING NEW PERSPECTIVE, THEY'RE LEARNING TO COLLABORATE.

>> REPORTER: WHILE FEEDBACK FROM STUDENTS AND PARENTS HAS BEEN FANTASTIC, HE ADMITS THERE WERE CHALLENGES AT FIRST.

STUDENTS IN POST AND CREATE DON'T RECEIVE LETTER GRADES FOR THE CLASS.

INSTEAD REPORT CARDS REFLECT THAT THE STUDENT ACHIEVED COMPETENT EASY AND THAT'S STANDARD.

THAT WAS TOUGH FOR TONIGHT -- COMPETENCY AND THAT'S STANDARD.

THAT WAS TOUGH AT FIRST FOR PEOPLE TO GET USED TO.

>> WE CARE ABOUT GRADES, BUT ARE THEY ABLE TO PRODUCE SOMETHING BASED ON WHAT THEY LEARN?

THAT'S GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT FOR EVERYBODY.

>> REPORTER: POST AND CREATE HAS RE-ENERGIZED HER AS WELL.

>> IT DOESN'T FEEL LIKE A JOB, SO I ENJOY GOING TO WORK.

I ENJOY BEING WITH THE KIDS, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE BECOME A MORE OPEN TEACHER, LEARNING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES FROM MY STUDENTS AND FROM MY TEAM OF TEACHERS.

>> REPORTER: AND AS IT TURNS OUT, EMBRACING A DIFFERENT PATH OF LEARNING IS A GREAT WAY TO GET TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS.

>> I'M SO FOCUSED ON SCHOOL NOW, AND I'M SO FOCUSED ON TRYING TO MAKE SURE I DO HAVE A GOOD FUTURE.

>> THE ARIZONA PERSONALIZED NETWORK, WHICH HELPS POST AND CREATE WITH ITS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH FOUR DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CENTER FOR THE FUTURE OF ARIZONA SURVEY, HEAD TO THEIR WEBSITE AND CLICK ON THE ARIZONA WE WANT TAB.

♪ >> IN NORTHWEST ARIZONA JUST OFF STATE ROUTE 95 STANDS A PECULIAR MONUMENT.

ODDLY THE MARKER IS 15 MILES FROM THE TOWN IT HONORS.

THE MINING TOWN OF OATMAN WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

BY THE 1930s, NEARLY 2 MILLION OUNCES OF GOLD HAD BEEN EXTRACTED FROM THE SURROUNDING MINES.

THE PRICE OF GOLD AND WORLD WAR II FORCED THE CLOSURE OF THE MINES IN THE' 40s.

THE TOWN WAS DELIVERED ANOTHER BLOW WHEN IN 1952 A STRETCH INTERSTATE 40 OPENED, SIPHONING OFF OATMAN'S LIFE BLOOD, ROUTE 66 TRAFFIC.

IT QUICKLY BECAME A GHOST TOWN.

[ SOUND OF GUNFIRE ] >> REPORTER: ROUTE 66 IS AGAIN LIKE BLOOD.

DRAWING TOURISTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEY WALK THE BOARDWALKS, HANG WITH GUN FIGHTERS AND THE DESCENDANTS OF THOSE SET FREE BY MINERS YEARS AGO.

BEING CLOSER TO NEVADA THAN THE TOWN ITSELF, OATMAN'S MISPLACED MONUMENT IS LONG FORGOTTEN BUT THE TOWN IS REMEMBERED DAILY.

>>> THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY'S PROJECT ACTIVE DUTY PROGRAM LOOKS AT MILITARY MEMBERS WHO NEED TO HOUSE THEIR PETS DURING DEPLOYMENT.

THE PROGRAM INVOLVES PAIRING THESE PETS WITH LOCALS WHO AGREED TO FOSTER AND TAKE CARE OF THE ANIMALS.

TO LEARN MORE WE WELCOME THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S FOSTER MANAGER CARRIE HUGHES AND SAVO, A 2-YEAR-OLD HUSKY.

THEY ARE IS, HE'S CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM WHILE HIS BEST FRIEND IS DEPLOYED OVERSEAS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE SAVO, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, AS WELL.

HE'S A GOOD-LOOKING DOG.

>> HE'S JUST THE BEST DOG EVER.

I'VE NEVER MET A CALM HUSKY LIKE HE IS.

>> HE'S SO CHILL.

GIVE ME A BETTER DEFINITION OF PROJECT ACTIVE DUTY.

>> PROJECT ACTIVE DUTY WAS CREATED BY THE ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY AFTER 9/11.

WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR MILITARY MEMBERS THAT WERE GOING TO BE ACTIVELY DEPLOYED, AND WHAT DO THEY DO WITH THEIR PET IF THEY DON'T HAVE ANY FRIENDS OR FAMILY AROUND TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

AND SO THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO HELP PETS LIKE SAVO AND OWNERS TO KEEP THE PETS REUNITED AS OUR MILITARY MEMBERS SERVE?

SO HOW DOES IT WORK.

DO YOU GO TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND SAY YOU NEED SOME HELP IF YOU'RE DEPLOYED.

>> YES, YOU CAN GO TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY AND APPLY TO BE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

WE'LL CONTACT AND YOU WORK THROUGH AN EVALUATION FOR YOUR PET AND HOW QUESTION HELP MILITARY MEMBERS.

>> FOR THE FOSTER FAMILIES, THERE DIFFERENT QUALIFYING FORCE THIS KIND OF THING OR IS THIS JUST ANOTHER FOSTER FAMILY AND ANOTHER PET LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR A WHILE?

>> WELL, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE THESE ARE TYPICALLY LONGER CASES THAN OUR NORMAL FASTER FAMILIES WOULD TAKE ON.

SAVO HAS BEEN IN THE PROGRAM FOR A YEAR AND HIS OWNER WAS RE-DEPLOYED.

SO HE'LL BE WITH US FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

IT'S A VERY SPECIAL COMMITMENT FOR A FOSTER HOME TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IN SOMEONE'S PET AND REALLY CARE FOR IT AND MOTHER IT AS THEIR OWN.

>> AND I WOULD IMAGINE -- AND I THINK WE HAVE SOME VIDEO HERE OF REUNIFICATIONS, HEART-WARMING OVER THE TOP, HUH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT'S SO SPECIAL FOR OUR FOSTER HEROES TO BE ABLE TO KEEP IN CONTACT WITH THE MILITARY MEMBERS TO TELL THEM THAT THEIR PETS ARE OKAY.

>> YEAH.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A DOG THAT HAD FOSTER PARENTS FOR A WHILE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HERE COMES DAD, I GUESS IN THIS CASE, AND THEY'RE HOME.

HAS TO BE VERY, VERY REWARDING, THIS PROGRAM.

>> TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY AND SUPPORT A PET IN NEED AT THE SAME TIME.

>> AND THIS IS KIND OF A PART OF PROJECT HOME AWAY FROM HOME AS YOU KIND OF REFERRED TO HERE, WHICH DOESN'T NECESSARILY NEED SERVICE MEMBER INVOLVEMENT.

>> CORRECT.

WE HAVE ADDITIONAL BRANCHES FOR PROJECT HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN TEMPORARY CRISIS, WHETHER IT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR HOSPITALIZATION, HOUSING INSECURITY.

WE'RE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> YOU NEED SOME FOSTER VOLUNTEERS I WOULD IMAGINE ALWAYS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AZHUMANE.ORG/FOSTER IS HOW YOU CAN GO TO SIGN UP TO BE A FOSTER HERO FOR EITHER A SHELTER OR ONE OF THESE SPECIAL PROGRAMS.

>> WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A FOSTER FAMILY, IN A FOSTER HOME?

>> WELL, SOMEONE THAT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR A PET PROPERLY.

WE DO REQUIRE THAT ALL PETS ARE SPADE AND NEUTERED IN THE HOME, AND WE PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE AND SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL CARE IF NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE FOSTER HERO ON THEIR JOURNEY, BUT THIS IS JUST ONE WAY THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN REALLY STEP FORWARD TO HELP THE OVERPOPULATION PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HIM PEOPLE DO YOU THINK USE THE PROGRAM?

DO YOU HAVE HARD NUMBERS ON THAT?

>> PROJECT ACTIVE DUTY, GOSH, YOU KNOW, THIS YEAR WE'VE PROBABLY SEEN 10 PETS COME THROUGH ALREADY.

SO WITH VARIOUS LENGTHS OF STAY.

SO SAVO IS DEFINITELY A SPECIAL KIDDO.

>> AND MAYBE HE'LL BE IN A FOSTER HOME FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SO UNTIL HIS KIDDO COMES BACK.

>> YES.

SOMETIMES MILITARY MEMBERS NEED GO FOR TRAINING IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY OR STATE AND THAT'S NOT USUALLY AS LONG BUT IT VARIES.

>> WELL, LOOK AT HIM, HE'S SO FANTASTIC.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH DIFFICULT DOGS?

>> WELL DIFFICULT DOGS.

THAT MAYBE DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE FOSTER HOME.

>> WELL, WE WORK HARD TO FIND A PERFECT MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY HAS THAT GREAT ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE NO MATTER WHAT TO STEP ON UP AND GIVE US A CALL AND SEE IF THERE'S A PET FOR THEM.

>> SO BASICALLY THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS BAD DOGS.

>> NEVER.

>> BAD CATS EITHER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND WITH THAT, IT LOOKS LIKE SAVO SAYS I THINK I'LL TAKE A KNEE, OR MAYBE FOUR.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

A GREAT DOG.

>> I KNOW.

>> AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS PROGRAM AND CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU TOO, SAVO.