ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fourth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2271: appropriation; dual enrollment courses; eligibility

Sponsor:  Representative Udall, LD 25

Committee on Education

Overview

Appropriates $5,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2021 to the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to pay the tuition costs for up to 12 credit hours of dual enrollment courses for eligible high school juniors and seniors.

History

A community college district governing board may authorize district community colleges to offer college courses that may be counted toward both high school and college graduation requirements at the high school during the school day (A.R.S. § 15-1821.01). All students who are enrolled for college credit must be high school juniors or seniors, unless a community college waives this requirement for up to 25% of the students enrolled (A.R.S. § 15-1821.01(2)(B)).

A community college is required to grant admission to any student who is under eighteen years of age and who achieves at least one of the following:

1) A composite score of 720 or more on the PSAT;

2) A composite score of 720 or more on the SAT;

3) A composite score of twelve or more on the ACT;

4) A passing score on the relevant portions of the statewide assessment;

5) The completion of a college placement method designated by the community college district that indicates the student is at the appropriate level for the course;

6) is a graduate of a private or public high school; or

7) has a high school certificate of equivalency (A.R.S. § 15-1805.01).

If a student is above 18, community colleges may admit the student if the student meets one of the following criteria:

1) Is a graduate of an accredited high school by a recognized accrediting association or approved by a state board of education or other appropriate state educational agency;

2) Has a high school certificate of equivalency;

3) Is at least eighteen years of age and demonstrates evidence of potential success in the community college; or

4) Is a transfer student in good standing from another college or university (A.R.S. § 15-1805.01).

Provisions

1. Appropriates $5,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2021 to ADE to pay the tuition costs for up to 12 credit hours of dual enrollment courses for high school juniors and seniors who are both:

a) Academically eligible to enroll in dual enrollment courses; and

b) Eligible for free or reduced-price lunches.

c)

d)

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f) Initials CH/TR             Education

g)

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