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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
statewide assessment; accommodations; written form
Purpose
Modifies 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 by the school district or charter school, to only for accommodating special circumstances, for religious purposes, on request by a student's parent or guardian 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. Removes the authorization for a school district or charter school to request to administer a statewide assessment in the form of a written test.
2. Allows a school district or charter school to administer a statewide assessment in the form of a written test for the following purposes:
a) to accommodate special circumstances;
b) for religious purposes;
c) on request by a student's parent or guardian; or
d) if required pursuant to an IEP or Section 504 plan.
3. Makes technical changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Expands the circumstances in which a school district or charter school may administer the statewide assessment to include upon the request of a student's parent or guardian.
2. Makes conforming changes.
House Action Senate Action
ED 2/4/25 DP 6-4-0-2 ED 3/19/25 DPA 7-0-0
3rd Read 2/20/25 33-25-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2025
MH/KK/ci