SB1456 is a bill that proposes several changes to the way career and technical education (CTE) programs are managed and funded in Arizona. The bill replaces the requirement for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to compile an in-demand regional education list with a mandate for the OEO and the Arizona Career and Technical Education Quality Commission (CTE Quality Commission) to develop a draft and final statewide in-demand education list. It also modifies the conditions under which a career and technical education district (CTED) can receive funding for students in grade 9 or in the school year immediately following graduation.

The bill repeals the Arizona Industry Credentials Incentive Program and its associated fund, which provided $1,000 awards to schools for each high school graduate obtaining a qualifying certification through a CTE course. Additionally, the bill changes the criteria for CTEDs to receive funding for grade 9 students, requiring enrollment in grade 10 in an approved CTE program that was on the statewide in-demand list when the student began the program, rather than waiting until the 40th day of grade 11. For students in the year following graduation, they must be enrolled in a CTE program that was on the statewide in-demand list for the year they began the program. The bill also stipulates that CTEDs may only offer associate degrees for programs on the statewide in-demand list. The bill includes technical and conforming changes and is set to become effective on the general effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-249.15, 15-393, 15-398, 15-392, 15-427, 38-503, 16-322, 15-208, 15-210, 15-213, 15-234, 15-361, 15-701.01, 15-722, 15-723, 15-724, 15-727, 15-728, 15-729, 15-730, 15-828, 15-829, 15-995, 15-941, 15-943.01, 15-953, 15-973, 15-1101, 15-1104, 15-1021, 42-11001, 15-901, 15-943.02, 15-944.01, 15-962.01, 15-943, 15-944, 15-763, 15-391
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-249.15, 15-393, 15-398, 15-392, 15-427, 38-503, 16-322, 15-208, 15-210, 15-213, 15-234, 15-361, 15-701.01, 15-722, 15-723, 15-724, 15-727, 15-728, 15-729, 15-730, 15-828, 15-829, 15-995, 15-941, 15-943.01, 15-953, 15-973, 15-1101, 15-1104, 15-1021, 42-11001, 15-901, 15-943.02, 15-944.01, 15-962.01, 15-943, 15-944, 15-763, 15-391