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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
academic standards; attestation; posting
Purpose
Requires each school that is operated by a school district or charter school to complete an annual attestation stating that the school is providing instruction that meets the digital citizenship and media literacy standards within specified academic standards beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
Background
The State Board
of Education (SBE) must prescribe a minimum course of study, academic standards
and competency requirements for common schools and high schools. The minimum
course of study must incorporate the academic standards which are taught in the
common schools and are required to graduate from high school. A school district
governing board must prescribe curricula that includes the academic standards
prescribed by the SBE (A.R.S. ยงยง 15-701
and
15-701.01).
Four SBE-adopted academic standards reference digital citizenship and media literacy. The educational technology standards integrate with all academic standards to create multi-modal pathways for all learners, while building technological literacy, media literacy and digital citizenship (Educational Technology Standards). The English language arts standards direct students to exhibit the capacities of a literate individual with increasing depth and consistency including the ability to use technology and digital media strategically and capably (English Language Arts Standards). The history and social science standards make multiple references to media literacy and digital citizenship, including: 1) an emphasis on digital citizenship and media literacy in grade eight; and 2) an inclusion of media literacy, including roles and types of media and consumer biases, in a high school civics and government course (History and Social Science Standards). The computer science standards allow students to develop a foundation of computer science knowledge and builds upon the concepts of computer literacy, educational technology, digital citizenship and information technology (Computer Science Standards).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each school that is operated by a school district or charter school to complete an annual attestation stating that the school is providing instruction that meets the digital citizenship and media literacy standards found in the educational technology, computer science, English language arts and social studies standards.
2. Requires each school district and charter school to:
a) submit the attestations to the Arizona Department of Education; and
b) post a copy of the attestations on the school district's or charter school's website.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 2/18/25 DPA 11-0-0-1
3rd Read 3/3/25 46-12-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 24, 2025
MH/KK/ci