The proposed bill would update current Arizona statutes by increasing the base level for K-12 education funding for FY 2026 from $5,013.00 to $5,113.26 and raising the charter additional assistance amounts for preschool and grades 1-8 from $2,090.10 to $2,131.90, and for grades 9-12 from $2,435.97 to $2,484.69. It would also require the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to conduct an annual comprehensive study on teacher retention rates, focusing on demographics, turnover rates, and the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs. Additionally, the bill would establish the Ninth Grade On-Track Grant Program to support ninth-grade students in completing necessary credits for high school graduation, including provisions for grant applications and specific educational strategies.

Moreover, the bill would transfer oversight of the School Financial Transparency Portal from the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) to the ADE, ensuring continuity in management. It mandates that public schools serving grades nine through twelve provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on campus and at athletic events, with guidelines for accessibility and maintenance. The bill also allows schools to accept donations for AED-related expenses and includes provisions for reporting and technical changes, with an effective date aligned with the general effective date of the bill.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-120.07, 15-185, 15-189.05, 15-501.02, 15-747, 15-901, 15-903, 15-945, 41-1276, 36-2261, 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, 15-501.01, 15-901.08, 15-808, 15-447.01, 15-797, 15-816.01, 15-761, 15-902.04, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026, 15-944, 15-765, 15-751, 15-752, 15-753, 15-501, 15-771, 15-971, 15-946, 15-482, 15-481, 15-915, 15-881, 15-925
House Engrossed Version: 15-120.07, 15-185, 15-189.05, 15-501.02, 15-747, 15-901, 15-903, 15-945, 41-1276, 36-2261, 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, 15-501.01, 15-901.08, 15-808, 15-447.01, 15-797, 15-816.01, 15-761, 15-902.04, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026, 15-944, 15-765, 15-751, 15-752, 15-753, 15-501, 15-771, 15-971, 15-946, 15-482, 15-481, 15-915, 15-881, 15-925