ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

 

HB2166: schools; graduation requirements; university admissions

Sponsor:  Representative Udall, LD 25

Committee on Education

Overview

Specifies courses that must be included in the competency requirements for the graduation of students from high school. Requires the admission requirements prescribed by the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) be consistent with the competency requirements prescribed by the State Board of Education (SBE).

History

Statute requires SBE to prescribe a minimum course of study and competency requirements for the graduation of students from high school (A.R.S. § 15-701.01) Per SBE policy, high school students are required to have a minimum of 22 credits in order to graduate:

1)    Four credits of English or English as a second language, which may include:

a)    Reading American and other world literature, reading informational text, writing, research methods, speaking and listening skills, grammar and vocabulary;

2)    Three credits of social studies to include at a minimum:

a)    One credit of American/Arizona history;

b)    One credit of world history/geography:

c)    One-half credit of American/Arizona government;

d)    One-half credit of economics;

3)    Four credits of math to include at a minimum:

a)    Three credits containing course content in preparation for proficiency on the statewide assessment and aligned to the Arizona Mathematics Standards for Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II;

b)    One credit that includes significant math content as determined by the local governing board or governing body;

4)    Three credits of science in preparation for proficiency on the statewide assessment;

5)    One credit of the arts or career and technical education and vocational education; and

6)    Seven credits of additional courses prescribed by the governing board or governing body (A.A.C. R7-2-302).

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteRequires the competency requirements for the graduation of students from high school to include at a minimum:

a)    Four credits of English language arts that includes communications, English as a second language and philosophy with significant reading and writing content;

b)    Three credits of social studies;

c)    Two credits of lab science;

d)    Two credits of math, which include Algebra 1 and Geometry;

e)    Three STEM credits, two of which require Algebra 1 as a prerequisite;

f)     One credit of fine or practical arts;

g)    Seven credits of electives; and

h)    The requirement that a student takes at least one online course. (Sec. 1)

2.    Specifies the following for the three STEM credit requirement:

a)    That the STEM credit requirements are separate from the required lab science credits and math credits;

b)    That Prealgebra qualifies as a STEM credit if a student enters high school unprepared for Algebra 1; and

c)    That STEM credits may include individual science, technology, engineering or mathematics courses or integrated STEM courses that combine two or more of these subjects. (Sec. 1)

3.    Mandates the admission requirements prescribed by ABOR be consistent with the competency requirements prescribed by SBE for the graduation of students from high school. (Sec. 2)

4.    States that the minimum competency requirements apply to students who enter high school after the effective date. (Sec. 3)

5.    Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1, 2)

6.    Makes a conforming change. (Sec. 1)

7.     

8.     

9.    ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

10.  Initials CH             Education

11.   

12.  ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------