education workforce innovation; pilot program

HB 2838 establishes Arizona's Education and Workforce Innovation Pilot Program within the state board of education to test new education models aligned with student outcomes and workforce readiness. It directly affects school districts and charter schools that apply to participate, requiring them to propose innovative models, request state policy waivers (not federal), and detail how they'll measure success. Key provisions include forming an advisory committee to develop program guidelines, selecting up to five diverse schools (rural, urban, district, charter), and mandating annual reports on implementation and outcomes through 2030. The program expires on July 1, 2031, with final legislative recommendations due before that date.