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REFERENCE TITLE: grant program; high schools; ADE |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025
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HB 2881 |
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Introduced by Representatives Hernandez A: Biasiucci, Gress, Hernandez C, Hernandez L, Luna-Nájera, Tsosie, Volk
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AN ACT
amending title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-249.08; appropriating monies; relating to the department of education.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 2, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-249.08, to read:
15-249.08. High school success grant program; rules; school requirements; fund; exemption
A. The high school success grant program is established in the department of education to fund ninth grade on-track programs and services that are provided by public schools in this state. The department shall administer the grant program and may adopt rules, policies and procedures to carry out the purposes of this section. The department shall:
1. Establish procedures for a public school to apply for a grant, for the department to evaluate the applications and for the department to award multi-year grants to eligible public schools. The department shall accept grant applications beginning on the effective date of this section and shall ensure that the application and reporting requirements do not impose an undue burden on the public schools.
2. Require each application that is submitted by a public school to be approved by a majority vote of the school district governing board or charter school governing body, whichever applies, before the application is submitted to the department.
3. If sufficient monies are available, award grants to each eligible public school in an amount that is equal to $150, adjusted for inflation each year after fiscal year 2025-2026, for each student who is enrolled in ninth grade in the public school. If there are not sufficient monies available to fund grants for each eligible public school pursuant to this paragraph, the department shall prioritize grant awards as follows:
(a) Give highest priority to any public school that received grant monies pursuant to this section in the current year and that is in good standing.
(b) Prioritize public schools that have the highest percentage of high school students who meet the economic eligibility requirements established under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1793) for free or reduced-price lunches.
4. Provide administrative support to grant recipients for implementing ninth grade on-track programs and services pursuant to this section.
B. Each public school that receives a grant award pursuant to subsection A of this section shall:
1. use the monies to establish and expand programs, opportunities and strategies that help ninth grade students complete sufficient credits to be on track to graduate in four years, including all of the following:
(a) Providing real-time, accessibly formatted data regarding student grades, attendance and behavior to grade nine teachers and support staff.
(b) Allocating time for grade nine teachers and support staff to meet during the school day to review data and develop intervention strategies for at-risk students in grade nine. The public school shall maintain records of meetings held pursuant to this subdivision and provide those records to the department on request.
(c) Provide timely, actionable data for grade nine teachers, including providing access to data and developing teachers' data literacy.
(d) Creating highly effective grade nine success teams.
(e) Establishing foundational structures and conditions for grade nine on-track work.
(f) establishing systems and processes to optimize operations of the grade nine success team.
(g) systematizing grade nine success by recruiting and engaging all stakeholders.
(h) Creating and executing proactive and data-driven interventions for students in grade nine.
(i) cultivating a growth mindset in adults.
(j) establishing data-driven interventions and academic referral systems and processes.
(k) implementing proactive and high leverage intervention strategies.
(l) Creating and executing a comprehensive system of grade nine transition supports.
(m) creating a personalized and supportive environment for students in grade nine.
(n) providing early preparation for high school entry.
(o) providing proactive supports to grade nine teachers and support staff.
(p) Implementing high quality instructional strategies and fair grading practices.
(q) Developing learning-centered professional communities and student-centered learning communities.
(r) Establishing a partnership with an organization that has at least five years of experience providing ninth grade on-track programs and services to public schools to increase grade nine on-track rates.
2. On request from the department, provide any information necessary to demonstrate compliance with this section.
C. The high school success grant program fund is established consisting of legislative appropriations, gifts, grants and donations. The department of education shall administer the fund. Monies in the fund are continuously appropriated and are exempt from the provisions of section 35-190 relating to lapsing of appropriations.
D. The legislature shall annually aPPROPRIATE monies to the high school success grant program fund in an amount equal to at least $150 for each ninth grade student who is enrolled in a public school in this state, adjusted for inflation each year after fiscal year 2025-2026.
E. For the purposes of this section, a student is deemed on track to graduate if the student does both of the following:
1. Completes at least twenty-five percent of the credits required for the student to graduate from high school by the end of ninth grade.
2. Does not earn more than one letter grade of F, or the equivalent, in ninth grade.
Sec. 2. Appropriation; high school success grant program fund; intent
A. The sum of $_____ is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the high school success grant program fund established by section 15-249.08, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act.
B. The legislature intends that the appropriation made in subsection A of this section be considered ongoing funding in future years.