ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: ED DP 11-1-0-1

HB 2387: continuing high school program

Sponsor:  Representative Udall, LD 25

House Engrossed

Overview

Establishes a continuing high school program (Program) that provides adult learners with alternative study services that lead to the issuance of a high school diploma and industry-recognized credentials.

History

Statute mandates that every child between the ages of 6 and 16 attend a school and be provided instruction in the subjects of reading, grammar, math, social studies and science. Public schools are required to admit children who are between these ages (A.R.S. § 15-802, 15-821).

The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) operates a division of adult education (Arizona Adult Education Services) under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Education (SBE). The division provides services, such as educational programs to assist individuals in earning a high school equivalency diploma, to individuals who are 16 years old and older and who are not enrolled in a K-12 school (A.R.S. § 15-232).

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteDirects SBE to establish the Program that provides adult learners with alternative study services and leads to the issuance of a high school diploma and industry-recognized credentials. (Sec. 1)

2.    Requires SBE to authorize service providers participating in the Program to operate schools through partnerships with school districts, nonprofit charter schools and career technical education districts. (Sec. 1)

3.    Specifies that service providers must:

a)    Be qualified pursuant to 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and

b)    Demonstrate at least a 10-year history of providing services in Arizona to individuals who are at least 18 years old and whose educational and training opportunities have been limited by educational disadvantages, disabilities and challenges. (Sec. 1)

4.    States that a high school diploma may be issued only to an adult learner who meets all the necessary graduation requirements. (Sec. 1)

5.    Requires a participating school to meet all public school legal requirements. (Sec. 1)

6.    Prohibits the Program from receiving transportation funding or Arizona online instruction funding. (Sec. 1)

7.    Allows a school participating in the Program to receive base support level funding and additional assistance in the same manner as a school district or charter school. (Sec. 1)

8.    Requires ADE to develop application procedures for service providers that includes:

a)    A description of administrative structure, program activities, program staff, budget and specific curriculum;

b)    The school calendar and a schedule describing the location, length of school day, program sequence, multidisciplinary course, pace and instructional activities;

c)    A description of specific academic, behavioral and emotional support services that will be offered to adult learners who enroll;

d)    A description of career technical education course that lead to industry-recognized credentials or dual enrollment courses from a university or community college;

e)    A description of specific program outcomes, goals and metrics that will be used to determine student success; and

f)     The projected number of adult learners that will be enrolled. (Sec. 1)

9.    Instructs SBE to approve service providers that demonstrate the ability to provide students with the instruction and support that leads to a high school diploma and one or more industry-recognized credentials. (Sec. 1)

10.  Specifies that:

a)    Initial approval of a service provider cannot be for more than two school years;

b)    Renewal of approval cannot be for more than four school years and is contingent on specific performance expectations; and

c)    If an approved service provider fails to meet any requirements or rules, SBE must immediately initiate a process to revoke the service provider's approval. (Sec. 1)

11.  Requires SBE to adopt, by July 1, 2022, performance expectations to evaluate service providers that includes:

a)    Measures of student progress toward earning a high school diploma;

b)    The graduation rates of students earning at least one academic credit; and

c)    The number of industry-recognized credentials earned. (Sec. 1)

12.  Mandates an approved service provider to annually report the following information to ADE:

a)    The number of adult learners enrolled;

b)    The graduation rate;

c)    The average progress of adult learners toward meeting graduation requirements;

d)    The number and type of industry-recognized credentials; and

e)    A summary of the academic, behavioral and emotional support services offered. (Sec. 1)

13.  Requires ADE to submit, by December 15, 2023 and annually thereafter, a report evaluating the effectiveness of the Program to the Governor, President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. (Sec. 1)

14.  Allows SBE to approve program service providers with a total projected average daily membership (ADM) of:

a)    In FY 2022, not more than 350 total ADM;

b)    In FY 2023, not more than 700 total ADM;

c)    In FY 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, not more than 1,400 total ADM. (Sec. 1)

15.  Prohibits SBE from including students who are 21 or younger in the total projected ADM. (Sec. 1)

16.  Allows SBE to adjust the ADM allocated to an individual program service provider, except that the total projected ADM may not exceed the authorized amount. (Sec. 1)

17.  Allows SBE to adopt rules to carry out the Program. (Sec. 1)

18.  Terminates the Program on July 1, 2030. (Sec. 1)

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22.  Initials CH             House Engrossed

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