ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

House: ED DPA/SE 10-0-0-0 | 3rd Read: 59-0-1-0

Senate: ED DPA 7-0-1-0 | 3rd Read 29-0-1-0  

HB 2863: ASDB; revisions

NOW: ASDB; local education agencies

Sponsor: Representative Udall, LD 25

Senate Engrossed

Overview

Classifies the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB) campuses as local education agencies (LEAs).

History

ASDB provides schools and regional programs to sensory impaired individuals throughout Arizona. Statute requires these schools to be fully recognized as educational institutions and as optional resources to school districts, state institutions and other approved educational programs. Resources provided by ASDB include assessments, special curriculum, equipment and materials, supplemental related services, special short-term programs, staff development, information services for families and research and development (A.R.S. § 15-1302).

An individual who is between the ages of 3 and 21 is entitled to an education from ASDB without charge if they are an Arizona resident and have a sensory impairment that prevents them from being properly educated in a school district (A.R.S. § 15-1343).

ASDB is governed by a board of directors that consists of the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction (or their designee), one appointed member from the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, one appointed member from the Governor's Council on Blindness and Visual Impairment and six other appointed members (A.R.S. § 15-1321).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteDesignates ASDB campuses as LEAs for the purposes of:

a)   Federal education funding received by the state;

b)   State and federal accountability, including reporting requirements;

c)   Procedural safeguards and state complaint procedures pursuant to federal law; and

d)   Graduation criteria and procedures, including diplomas and transcripts. (Sec. 2)

2.   Renames Title 15, Chapter 11 from Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind to Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. (Sec. 1)

3.   Contains a legislative intent clause. (Sec. 3)

Senate Amendments

1.   Adds that ASDB campuses are also considered to be LEAs for the purposes of:

a)   Providing a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to enrolled pupils pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;

b)   Implementing individual education programs (IEPs); and

c)   Special education reevaluations.

2.   Provides that for the 2021-2022 school year, ASDB is the district of responsibility and LEA for pupils who are served through a campus-based model.

3.   States that for the 2021-2022 school year, ASDB is responsible for:

a)   Providing FAPE;

b)   Awarding diplomas; and

c)   Submitting data for federal and state accountability purposes.

4.   Requires, for the 2021-2022 school year, the school district or charter school which the student previously attended prior to enrolling in ASDB, or intends to attend if the student has moved, to enroll the student if an IEP determination is made that ASDB is no longer the least restrictive environment.

5.   Instructs ASDB, if ASDB convenes a meeting of a student's IEP team to determine the student's placement status, to invite a representative of the school district or charter school which the student will next attend to participate in the meeting.

6.   Makes technical changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                        HB 2863

Initials CH       Page 0 Senate Engrossed

 

 

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