 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
schools; residency documentation; policies
Purpose
Directs school districts and charter schools to follow policies for verifiable documentation of residency for school enrollment as established by the State Board of Education (SBE), rather than guidelines from the Arizona Department of Education (ADE).
Background
If a child will attend a public, private or charter school, they must be enrolled by a parent or person who has custody and attend for the full-time school is in session. Statute directs school districts and charter schools to require and maintain verifiable documentation of Arizona residency for pupils enrolled in the school district or charter school, according to guidelines adopted by ADE (A.R.S. § 15-802).
Currently, ADE guidelines require verifiable documentation to be provided during the initial enrollment of a pupil in a school district or charter school and reaffirmed, although not necessarily recollected, during the annual registration process. Each district and charter school must obtain a certified copy of a pupil’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of the pupil’s identity and age, as specified, within 30 days of enrollment (ADE Arizona Residency Guidelines).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Directs school districts and charter schools to require and maintain verifiable documentation of residency according to policies established by the SBE, rather than ADE guidelines, for enrolling pupils.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 1/26/21 DP 9-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/4/21 45-14-0-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 5, 2021
JO/JP/gs