This bill proposes several updates to current Arizona statutes regarding student assessments. Key changes include the insertion of new language that specifies the administration of assessments pursuant to sections 15-741 and 15-741.02, replacing references to the "statewide assessment." Additionally, the bill introduces a provision that allows local education agencies to select from a menu of achievement assessments starting in the 2025-2026 school year, rather than being required to administer the statewide assessment. It also mandates that the Department of Education calculate the average per pupil cost of administering the statewide assessment and allows local education agencies to request funding to cover these costs.

The bill also removes outdated language, such as specific deadlines for compliance and requirements for uniform testing across the state. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based reading interventions and the need for schools to report on pupil progress based on the newly defined assessments. Furthermore, it clarifies the responsibilities of school districts and charter schools in providing special education services and ensures that pupils with disabilities are not required to achieve passing scores on assessments unless specified in their individualized education programs. Overall, the bill aims to modernize the assessment framework and improve educational outcomes for students in Arizona.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-183, 15-211, 15-249.03, 15-701, 15-704, 15-707, 15-708, 15-741, 15-741.01, 15-741.02, 15-743, 15-746, 15-756.07, 15-763, 15-977, 15-1805.01, 41-1750, 92-544, 15-505, 15-512, 41-1758.03, 114-95, 108-446, 15-550, 15-203, 15-213, 1-216, 15-914, 11-952.01, 41-621.01, 41-1092.08, 3-365, 15-808, 15-154, 15-771, 15-219, 15-943, 15-241, 15-237.01, 15-751, 15-761, 15-342, 15-241.02, 15-843, 2025-2026, 93-380, 2023-2024, 15-249.06, 15-792.03, 15-742, 15-901, 15-925, 13-3411, 13-3620, 15-341, 15-515, 15-351, 2021-2022, 15-747, 15-756.10, 15-701.01, 15-731, 15-1201, 37-521, 42-5029, 42-5029.02, 15-943.01, 35-190, 15-448, 15-459, 15-978