Education

passed · Arizona · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 1026: alternative schools; continuous operations; requirements

SB 1026 streamlines operations for Arizona's alternative education programs and schools serving students in grades 6-12 who cannot thrive in regular classrooms. It allows these programs to schedule instruction any day of the week, enroll students using electronic withdrawal verification (instead of physical forms), and continue funding for students incorrectly coded as graduates in the state database. The bill also eliminates unnecessary recertification requirements for existing programs while requiring new program applications and closure notices. These changes directly affect school districts, alternative program providers, and students needing specialized educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines alternative school operations, ensures continued funding for students, and removes bureaucratic barriers, supporting program stability and access for at-risk students.95% confidence

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vetoed · Arizona · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2033: statewide assessment; written form; requirements

HB 2033 requires Arizona's state board of education to implement uniform statewide assessments in reading, writing, and math for at least four grades annually, while prohibiting assessments that promote sectarian or partisan views. It mandates collecting specific nontest data (like graduation/dropout rates by ethnicity) through surveys of school staff, with strict privacy protections under FERPA. The bill allows students to opt out of district assessments if they provide scores from nationally recognized tests (e.g., SAT, ACT) before testing begins. Additionally, it permits written tests for students with IEPs/504 plans, religious accommodations, or parent requests. This directly affects public schools, students, and educators by standardizing testing requirements and data collection.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates uniform statewide assessments in core subjects with prohibitions on sectarian/partisan content and opt-out option for nationally recognized tests, supporting educational accountability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates FERPA-compliant data privacy protections for student assessment data collection85% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Data Privacy

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signed · Arizona · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2032: statewide assessment; testing window; revisions

HB 2032 requires Arizona third graders to demonstrate sufficient reading skills on the statewide assessment to advance to fourth grade. If a student does not meet this standard, they may be retained, but only if test data is available and they haven't been retained before. The bill allows exceptions for English learners, students with special education needs (including dyslexia), or those showing progress through approved assessments. Schools must offer multiple evidence-based reading interventions, provide detailed parent notifications about reading deficiencies, and report retention and intervention data to the state education department. This bill directly affects third graders, Arizona public schools, and their parents.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 3rd graders to meet reading proficiency for promotion with evidence-based interventions, reinforcing academic standards for K-12 student advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment

passed · Arizona · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2076: school safety; employee certification; policies

HB 2076 establishes Arizona's "Save Our Children School Safety Program" to enhance school safety through employee training and crisis preparedness. It creates a fund to reimburse public and private K-12 schools for employee certification costs (via approved programs) and school safety equipment, while allowing schools to adopt policies permitting certified employees to carry concealed firearms on campus. The bill requires schools to notify law enforcement about firearm-carrying employees, maintains confidentiality of employee training details, and grants immunity to certified staff acting in good faith during emergencies. Schools must report annually on program participation, fund usage, and effectiveness to state officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides funding for school safety certifications and equipment, directly enhancing K-12 safety infrastructure and operational support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

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introduced · Arizona · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 1080: school districts; property; housing developments

This bill amends Arizona law to allow school districts to sell or lease school properties without voter approval under specific conditions. It removes the requirement for elector approval when selling property valued under $50,000, as part of renewable energy agreements, or when proceeds fund state school facilities programs. School districts may also exchange property for more suitable sites or use sale proceeds for bonded debt or tax reductions within two years, with strict conditions. The policy directly affects school district governing boards managing real estate assets, streamlining property transactions for facilities needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allows school districts to use sale proceeds for tax reductions, directly enabling tax relief as a fiscal management tool.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes voter approval barriers for school property sales to fund state school facilities programs, directly supporting infrastructure improvements in K-12 education.90% confidence

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signed · Arizona · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 2117: natural resource conservation board; fund

HB 2117 redirects $17 of the $25 annual fee for Arizona's environmental special license plates into a dedicated fund. The state natural resource conservation board will distribute $5,000 to $10,000 annually to each natural resource conservation district with an established education center. These funds must support environmental education programs that are scientifically based and address economic and social implications. The bill specifies that funds are exclusively for conservation education programs at local districts, without changing the plate fee structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $17 of license plate fee into dedicated fund for conservation education programs, advancing fiscal allocation for environmental education within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects $17 annual fee to fund environmental education programs at conservation districts with specific requirements for scientifically-based curriculum.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRedirects $17 of license plate fees to conservation education fund, mandating scientifically based environmental programs addressing conservation. Explicitly funds conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 11, 2026

SB 1009: high school students; AED training

SB 1009 requires Arizona high schools to provide all students with mandatory training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use during high school. The training must be age-appropriate, based on current national guidelines, and include hands-on practice (except for online students). Schools may accept donations for materials and must allow exemptions for students with parental consent, prior certification, or individualized education program accommodations. This policy directly affects all Arizona public high school students and mandates training through certified providers like EMTs, Red Cross representatives, or school staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mandatory CPR/AED training in high school curriculum, enhancing student health education programs and safety preparedness within K-12 schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates CPR/AED training in high schools as a public health initiative to improve emergency response and save lives, directly advancing healthcare preparedness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education

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failed · Arizona · Senate Jun 12, 2026

SB 1004: ESA students; interscholastic activities; requirements

SB 1004 allows Arizona students using Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) to participate in school district sports and activities on the same terms as enrolled students. School districts must apply identical eligibility rules, fees (capped at the student’s pro rata share of costs), and academic requirements - such as passing grades and progress - to ESA students as they do for enrolled students. The bill prohibits districts from charging ESA students more than their fair share of activity costs or contracting with organizations that exclude ESA students. It also bars ESA students from participating if they were enrolled in district schools, multiple private schools, or a private school offering the activity during the same school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates equal access to school sports/activities for ESA students by requiring identical eligibility rules and capped fees, expanding educational access for non-traditional students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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introduced · Arizona · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 2021: K-3 reading program; curriculum requirements

HB 2021 establishes Arizona's K-3 reading program to improve early literacy for students in kindergarten through third grade. It requires school districts and charter schools to develop annual reading improvement plans, ensure at least one teacher per school receives dyslexia training, and use state funding (from the "K-3 reading support level weight") exclusively for evidence-based reading instruction. The bill mandates annual reporting on program results, including student reading proficiency data and spending, and prioritizes support for schools with higher percentages of struggling readers. It directly affects K-3 public school students, teachers, and school districts by setting specific curriculum, training, and funding requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading funding, teacher dyslexia training, and annual reporting to improve K-3 literacy outcomes per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Early Childhood K-12 Education

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passed · Arizona · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2020: educational institutions; interference; disruption

HB 2020 defines and penalizes interference with or disruption of public educational institutions in Arizona. It requires public schools, colleges, and universities to adopt rules for maintaining order on their property, with penalties including ejection, suspension, or expulsion for students and staff who violate these rules. The law classifies threatening harm as a class 1 misdemeanor for minors or a class 6 felony for adults (18+), while entering school property to disrupt operations is a class 1 misdemeanor. Private educational institutions are exempt from these requirements, and the bill explicitly preserves approved gun safety programs on campuses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses (school disruptions) with felonies, expanding criminalization. Contradicts reform goals of reducing criminalization.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prevents disruptions in schools to maintain order, protecting educational environments from interference, thus supporting institutional functioning.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms School Safety

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