The proposed bill would amend sections 15-771 and 15-901 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to update the provisions regarding educational programs for preschool children with disabilities. It would remove the requirement for school districts to make available educational programs specifically for children meeting certain conditions (hearing impairment, visual impairment, developmental delay, preschool severe delay, and speech/language impairment) and instead allow them to provide programs for any child with a disability as defined in section 15-761. Additionally, the bill would clarify that preschool children eligible for counting in average daily membership must meet the definition of a child with a disability.

Furthermore, the bill would adjust the language regarding the distribution of funds from the state board of education to school districts and charter schools, changing "at least ten per cent" to "at least ten percent" for clarity. It would also redefine "preschool child" to maintain that a child is considered a preschooler if they are at least three years old, while allowing for the admission of children within ninety days of their third birthday. Lastly, the definition of "P-SD" would be updated to reference section 15-761 instead of the deleted section 15-771.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-771, 15-901, 15-761, 15-903, 15-766, 15-767