Assigned to ED AS
PASSED BY COW
Assigned to ED AS
PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
Purpose
Establishes the State Seal of Personal Finance Proficiency Program (Program).
Background
Statute requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to prescribe competency requirements for the graduation of pupils from high school incorporating the academic standards in at least reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. The social studies standards must include personal finance but does not allow the SBE to require a separate personal finance course to graduate from high school (A.R.S. § 15-701.01).
The SBE establishes 22 credits as the minimum number of credits necessary for high school graduation. Three credits of social studies are required for graduation and must be divided as follows: 1) 1 credit of American history, including Arizona history; 2) 1 credit of world history or geography; 3) 0.5 credit of American government, including Arizona government; and 4) 0.5 credit of economics (A.A.C. R7-2-302).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows the SBE to consider the establishment of a required, separate personal finance course for high school graduation.
2. Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to:
a) establish the Program to recognize students who graduate high school and have attained a high level of proficiency in personal finance; and
b) create a State Seal of Personal Finance Proficiency (Seal) to be delivered to participating schools.
3. Allows any school district or charter school to voluntarily participate in the Program by notifying the SPI.
4. Requires the SBE to adopt minimum requirements for the Program and allows the SBE to adopt rules for this purpose.
5. Requires participating school districts and charter schools to affix the Seal to the diplomas and note the receipt on transcripts for graduating students who:
a) complete all social studies requirements for graduation with a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or higher; and
b) demonstrate proficiency in personal finance by meeting the requirements adopted by the SBE.
6. Terminates the Program on July 1, 2028.
7. Makes technical changes.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
· Increases the minimum GPA requirement from 2.0 to 3.0.
Senate Action
ED 2/15/18 DP 6-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
February 22, 2018
BL/lb