Assigned to ED & APPROP AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE
Assigned to ED & APPROP AS
PASSED BY COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Purpose
Appropriates monies from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2019 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for gifted education.
Background
School districts are required to provide gifted education to gifted pupils. To this end, school districts are required to develop a process of and curriculum modifications for gifted pupils to ensure that gifted pupils receive gifted education commensurate with their academic abilities and potentials. The scope and sequence shall: 1) provide for routine screening for gifted pupils; 2) provide for an explanation of how gifted education differs from regular education; and 3) include criteria which address the elements of program design, identification, curriculum, instruction, social and emotional development and more (A.R.S. § 15-779.02).
Statute permits school districts that comply with the statutory requirements associated with gifted education to apply to ADE for an additional $75 per pupil for four percent of the district's student count, or $2,000, whichever is more (A.R.S. § 15-779-.03).
The fiscal impact to the state GF is $5,000,000 if the Education Committee amendment is adopted or $500,000 if the Appropriations Committee amendment is adopted.
Provisions
1. Appropriates monies from the state GF in FY 2019 to ADE for additional assistance for gifted programs.
2. Exempts the appropriation from lapsing.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by the Education Committee
1. Allocates $4,500,000 of the appropriation for additional assistance for gifted programs and the remaining $500,000 in the form of grants to school districts and charter schools for assessments to identify gifted pupils.
2. Removes language modifying scope and sequence criteria for gifted education.
Amendments Adopted by the Appropriations Committee
1. Reduces the appropriation to $500,000.
2. Removes language modifying scope and sequence criteria for gifted education.
Senate Action
ED 1/25/18 DPA 6-0-1
APPROP 2/20/18 DPA 10-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 22, 2018
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