Education

SB 1166 allows Arizona county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency preparation instruction through accommodation schools to students in grades 10-12 who are at least 16 years old. Students must have written parental consent (or self-consent if emancipated) and must also enroll in a career or technical education program leading to a certification, license, or credential. The bill defines "high school equivalency preparation instruction" as coursework preparing students to pass the state-administered equivalency test. This policy change directly affects older high school students seeking an alternative to traditional graduation pathways.

HB 2992 establishes a two-year pilot program in Arizona public schools for students in grades 6-8, requiring six selected schools to provide evidence-based sexual abuse prevention education. The program mandates 4 hours of teacher training on prevention, identification, and responses to abuse (including technology-facilitated abuse), and 3 hours of age-appropriate student instruction focused on recognizing abuse, boundary violations, disclosure strategies, and bystander action. Parents may opt their child out of the program with written notice, and participating schools must submit a report by October 2028 detailing participation and feedback. The pilot is funded by $100,000 from the victim compensation fund and will expire after December 31, 2028.