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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
statewide assessment; accommodations; written form
Purpose
Narrows the circumstances in which a school district or charter school may administer the statewide assessment in the form of a written test, from upon request, to only for accommodating special circumstances, for religious purposes or pursuant to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) must adopt and implement annual statewide assessments 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 determine the manner of implementation for the statewide assessments. A statewide assessment must be given: 1) in English language arts and mathematics, annually in grades three through eight and at least once in high school; 2) in science, at least once in grades three through five, grades six through eight and in high school; and 3) in other subjects or for other students, at the direction of the SBE. Upon request of a school district or charter school, the statewide assessment may be administered in the form of a written test (A.R.S. § 15-741; A.A.C. R7-2-300).
An IEP is a written statement for providing special education and related services to a child with a disability that is developed and reviewed in accordance with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. An IEP must include: 1) a child's academic achievement, functional performance and measurable annual goals; 2) the special education services, aids, support and any individual accommodations to be provided; 3) the projected beginning date of services and support; and 4) beginning when the child is 16 years old, appropriate postsecondary goals and transition services to assist reaching those goals (20 U.S.C. §§ 1401 and 1414).
A Section 504 plan is a written statement developed for a pupil with a disability that includes the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services, including assistive technology, that is designed to meet individual educational needs (A.R.S. § 15-731).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Authorizes a school district or charter school to administer the statewide assessment in the form a written test to accommodate special circumstances, for religious purposes or pursuant to an IEP or Section 504 plan, rather than upon request of the school district or charter school.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 2/4/25 DP 6-4-0-2
3rd Read 2/20/25 33-25-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
MH/KK/ci