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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
exchange programs; student count.
Purpose
Removes the limit on the number of nonresident foreign students in exchange programs with J-1 visas (J-1 visa students) that a school district governing board (governing board) may admit without the payment of tuition and include in the school district's or charter school's student count for state funding.
Background
Through
secondary school student exchange visitor programs designated by the U.S.
Department of State, foreign secondary school students may study in the United
States at a public or private secondary school for an academic semester or an
academic year while living with host families or residing at boarding schools.
A designated student exchange program sponsor must receive written acceptance
for the enrollment of a foreign exchange student, including written
arrangements concerning the payment of tuition or waiver of tuition if
applicable (22
C.F.R.
§ 62.25). A governing board may admit a limited number of J-1 visa
students, without payment of tuition, that is equal to the number of resident
students enrolled in the local education agency who are currently participating
in a foreign exchange program (A.R.S.
§ 15-823).
The Joint Legislative Budget Committee fiscal note on H.B. 2149, an identical measure, estimates that, based on the current number of enrolled J-1 visa students not included in average daily membership (ADM), allowing school districts and charter schools to include all J-1 visa students in ADM would increase Basic State Aid costs to the state General Fund by $2.6 million in FY 2024 (JLBC).
Provisions
1. Removes, beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, the limit on the number of J-1 visa students a governing board may admit without the payment of tuition.
2. Allows a school district or charter school to include J-1 visa students in the school district's or charter school's student count and obtain state funding for the students.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 31, 2023
LB/KT/slp