ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: ED DPA/SE 7-5-0-0

☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note

HB 2725: pledge of allegiance; parental notification

NOW: competency requirements; social studies; civics

Sponsor: Representative Lopez, LD 16

House Engrossed

Overview

Adds, to the course of study and competency requirements for the promotion of students from the 8th grade, a requirement that each student complete at least three social studies course credits in the 6th-8th grades, including one civics education course credit. Appropriates $1,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY 2026 to the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR0 for the Museum of Democracy Presidential Project.

History

The State Board of Education (SBE) must prescribe a minimum course of study incorporating the SBE-adopted academic standards to be taught in common schools. SBE must also prescribe competency requirements for the promotion of students from the 3rd and 8th grades that incorporate the academic standards in at least the areas of reading, writing, math, science and social studies. A school district governing board is required to prescribe curricula that includes the academic standards in these subject areas, as well as the criteria for the promotion of students from grade to grade. The criteria for promotion must include accomplishment of the academic standards in at least reading, writing, math, science and social studies as determined by district assessment (A.R.S. § 15-701).

Currently, SBE minimum course of study and competency requirements for common school grades require students to demonstrate competency in social studies, including civics and instruction on the Holocaust and other genocides (A.A.C. R7-2-301).

Schools must provide instruction in: 1) the essentials, sources and history of the U.S. and Arizona Constitutions; 2) American institutions and ideals; and 3) Arizona history, including the history of Native Americans in Arizona. This instruction must be in accordance with the state course of study for at least one year in common school and high school grades (A.R.S. § 15-710).

September 25th is observed as Sandra Day O'Connor Civics Celebration Day. Public schools must dedicate a majority of the school day to civics education (A.R.S. §§ 1-319 and 15-710.01).

Provisions

Social Studies and Civics Requirements

1.   Requires SBE, in adopting course of study and competency requirements for the promotion of students from the 8th grade, to include a requirement that each student successfully complete at least three social studies course credits in the 6th-8th grades, including at least one civics education course credit. (Sec. 1, 2)

2.   Specifies the required civics education must include instruction on the:

a)   roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local governments;

b)   structures and functions of the legislative, executive and judicial branches; and

c) meaning and significance of historical documents, including the Articles of Confederation, Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. (Sec. 2)

3.   Allows a student who transfers into a public school during the second semester of the 8th grade to be promoted from the 8th grade without successfully completing at least one civics education course credit if the student:

a)   transfers from another state or country or from a private school or homeschool in Arizona;

b)   successfully completed at least three social studies course credits, or the equivalent; and

c) received instruction on American civics education in any of the 6th-8th grades. (Sec. 2)

Museum of Democracy Appropriation

1.   Appropriates $1,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to ABOR for the Museum of Democracy Presidential Project. (Sec. 3)

2.   Directs ABOR to distribute the appropriated monies to the public universities to provide opportunities for undergraduate students, high school students and the broader community to become better informed on American presidencies and presidential elections. (Sec. 3)

3.   Specifies programming may include public speakers, high school leadership academic and undergraduate student workshops. (Sec. 3)

4.   Requires appropriated monies to be used to display presidential memorabilia collections, combining visual arts, exhibitions and civic education programs. (Sec. 3)

5.   Exempts the appropriation from lapsing. (Sec. 3)

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9.                     HB 2725

10.  Initials CH           Page 0 House Engrossed

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