The proposed bill would amend current statutes related to special education services for children with disabilities. Specifically, it would allow an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to determine that a student may continue to receive special education and related services until the end of the school year in which they turn 22 years old. This change would prohibit school district governing boards or county school superintendents from requiring students to graduate before the graduation date set by their IEP team. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) would be prohibited from penalizing schools or withholding funding for providing special education services to students whose IEP extends their graduation beyond four years.

Furthermore, the bill would require that students who graduate in a fifth, sixth, or seventh year cohort be counted equally to those who graduate in a fourth year cohort when determining a school's annual achievement profile. It also includes technical and conforming changes to ensure clarity and consistency in the language of the statutes. Overall, these updates aim to enhance the educational opportunities and support for students with disabilities while ensuring that schools are not financially penalized for extending services as needed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-241, 15-764, 15-977, 15-741, 15-741.02, 15-756, 15-756.05, 15-761, 15-746, 15-808, 42-5029, 42-5029.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-241, 15-764, 15-977, 15-741, 15-741.02, 15-756, 15-756.05, 15-761, 15-746, 15-808, 42-5029, 42-5029.02