The bill SB1744 proposes significant changes to K-12 education funding and oversight in Arizona as part of the FY 2025 state budget. Key provisions include an increase in the base level for basic state aid from $4,914.71 to $5,013.00, adjustments to charter additional assistance amounts, and the establishment of an online database for Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) expenses. The bill also removes certain requirements related to kindergarten entry evaluations and repeals programs such as the Education and Career Program, reallocating unspent funds to the state General Fund. Additionally, it modifies the responsibilities of school districts and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) regarding teacher contracts and funding for failing schools.

Other notable changes include the expansion of permissible uses for Litigation Recovery Fund monies, the introduction of new eligibility criteria for community college adult education programs, and the repeal of existing statutes related to the Arizona civics education program. The bill mandates annual verification of student eligibility for ESAs and allows parents to seek independent evaluations for educational services. Overall, SB1744 aims to streamline educational funding, enhance accountability, and ensure that resources are directed towards improving classroom spending and educational outcomes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-185, 15-217, 15-217.01, 15-217.02, 15-217.03, 15-536, 15-538.01, 15-901, 15-945, 15-2402, 15-2403, 28-472, 41-1276, 15-943, 15-941, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 15-1042, 15-855, 15-973, 15-823, 15-308, 15-183, 15-512, 42-5029, 42-5029.02, 37-521, 15-792.02, 15-538, 15-539, 15-541, 15-544, 15-537, 15-901.08, 15-808, 15-447.01, 15-797, 15-816.01, 15-761, 15-902.04, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 15-944, 15-765, 15-751, 15-752, 15-753, 15-501, 15-771, 15-971, 15-946, 15-881, 15-925, 15-766, 15-2401, 15-505, 15-534.04, 28-9551, 15-802, 35-190, 2020-2021, 35-113, 15-2401.01, 35-146, 35-147, 28-475, 28-476
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-185, 15-217, 15-217.01, 15-217.02, 15-217.03, 15-393, 15-536, 15-538.01, 15-701, 15-704, 15-901, 15-945, 15-1107, 15-2402, 15-2403, 28-472, 41-1276, 15-943, 15-941, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 15-1042, 15-855, 15-973, 15-823, 15-308, 15-183, 15-512, 42-5029, 42-5029.02, 37-521, 15-792.02, 15-1402, 35-190, 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, 15-943.01, 15-953, 15-1101, 15-1104, 15-1021, 42-11001, 15-943.02, 15-944.01, 15-962.01, 15-944, 100-77, 15-763, 15-391, 15-538, 15-539, 15-541, 15-544, 15-537, 15-751, 15-761, 2022-2023, 15-342, 15-211, 15-741, 15-241.02, 15-901.08, 15-808, 15-447.01, 15-797, 15-816.01, 15-902.04, 2021-2022, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 15-765, 15-752, 15-753, 15-501, 15-771, 15-971, 15-946, 15-881, 15-925, 41-5731, 41-5721, 15-766, 15-2401, 15-505, 15-534.04, 28-9551, 15-802, 2020-2021, 35-113, 15-2401.01, 35-146, 35-147, 28-475, 28-476