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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
classroom instruction; posting requirements
Purpose
Requires a school district or charter school to post on its website each course of study, a list of all learning materials and each lesson plan as outlined.
Background
A parent of a student in a public educational institution has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance and may withdraw the student from a class or program using learning material, or from an activity, to which the parent objects on the basis that it is harmful and request an alternative assignment. A charter school may require: 1) parents, as a condition of student enrollment, to waive the right to object to learning materials or activities if the school provides a complete list of books and materials before the student enrolls; and 2) that any request to review learning materials or activities or to withdraw the student from learning materials or activities be made in writing (A.R.S. § 15-113).
A school district governing board (governing board) or charter school governing body must adopt procedures for a parent to access school library collections and a list of materials their children borrowed. Each school district, school within a school district (district school) and charter school must make available on its website, for at least 60 days after purchase, a list of library books and materials purchased after January 1, 2023 (A.R.S. §§ 15-189.07; 15-721; and 15-722).
A governing board must approve courses of study, units received for credit and the basic textbooks, supplemental books and teaching aids used for courses of study. The governing board must make a copy of each textbook being considered for selection available at the district office for 60 days for public review. For high school textbooks, the governing board must also provide information on the proposed textbooks on the district website and provide opportunity for public comment for at least 60 days (A.R.S. §§ 15-721 and 15-722). On written request, a governing board must provide parents or guardians access to the school district's instructional materials and make a copy of the instructional materials available for review by a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian may take printed books and materials from the school district premises for up to 48 hours and review all other materials on the district premises (A.R.S. § 15-730).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires a school district or charter school to post on its website, free of charge, an electronic copy of:
a) each educational course of study offered by each district school or charter school;
b) a list of all learning materials, including the source of any supplemental educational materials, that are being used in each district school or charter school; and
c) each lesson plan that is being used or implemented in each district school or charter school.
2. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 3/14/23 DP 6-3-0-1
3rd Read 3/1/23 31-28-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 27, 2023
LB/MH/slp