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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
high school graduation; requirements
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish a method and standard for determining a minimum performance level on the statewide assessment and the State Board of Education (SBE) to include the minimum performance level on the statewide assessment as a competency requirement for high school graduation. Outlines exemptions from the minimum performance level requirement.
Background
The SBE prescribes a minimum course of study, academic standards and competency requirements for high school graduation. The competency requirements must incorporate the academic standards in at least the areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. A school district governing board (governing board) prescribes curricula that includes the SBE-adopted academic standards and criteria for high school graduation for students in the school district. The criteria must include accomplishment of the academic standards, as determined by district assessment (A.R.S. § 15-701.01).
The SBE must adopt and implement an annual statewide assessment to measure pupil achievement of the SBE-adopted academic standards in reading, writing and mathematics and may administer assessments of the academic standards in social studies and science. The SBE must ensure that the assessments are uniform throughout Arizona and establish: 1) fair and consistent methods and standards for evaluating assessment scores from schools within a school district; and 2) intervention strategies to assist schools with scores below the acceptable standard. The SBE must annually review district and school scores and offer assistance to school districts in analyzing data and implementing intervention strategies (A.R.S. § 15-741). The statewide assessment for reading, writing and mathematics adopted for Arizona students in grade 11 is the ACT (ADE).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires ADE to establish a method and standard for determining the minimum performance level on the statewide assessment required for high school graduation.
2. Requires the SBE to include, as a prescribed competency requirement for high school graduation, the minimum performance level determined by ADE for the statewide assessment.
3. Requires ADE to prescribe a schedule for administering the statewide assessment to high school students which provides at least two opportunities for students to take the statewide assessment in each of grades 11 and 12.
4. Exempts a student from the requirement to pass the statewide assessment in grade 11 or 12 for high school graduation if the student obtains:
a) a passing score on a technical skills assessment test for a career and technical education (CTE) program approved by ADE; or
b) an industry certification through a CTE program approved by ADE.
5. Exempts a student who has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan from the requirement to pass the statewide assessment for high school graduation.
6. Specifies that a student's IEP or Section 504 plan must include any necessary testing accommodations as prescribed.
7. Requires the criteria for high school graduation prescribed by a governing board to include, for determining the accomplishment of academic standards, the minimum performance level determined by ADE for the statewide assessment or satisfaction of the outlined requirements for exemption from taking the statewide assessment for high school graduation.
8. Allows a governing board to provide students in grades 9 or 10, or both, any instruction, materials or other services necessary to prepare for the statewide assessment.
9. Makes technical and conforming changes.
10. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 17, 2025
MH/ci