ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

First Regular Session

 

HB 2418: group B weight; gifted pupils

Sponsor:  Representative Pawlik, LD 17

Committee on Education

Overview

Establishes a new Group B weight for educational programs for gifted pupils.

History

Statute provides for two sets of weights within the school finance formula. These weights, referred to as Group A and Group B, identify students according to grade level, special need or other statutorily designated classification.

Currently, Group A is defined to include, among other programs, educational programs for gifted pupils. Students enrolled in a school district are assigned a Group A support level weight based on their grade level. Group B is defined to include educational improvements and educational programs for students with designated special needs or other classifications. Students who qualify for a Group B weight are assigned a support level weight in addition to a Group A weight. Group B weights vary according to the classification (A.R.S. § 15-901, 15-943).

A school district governing board is required to provide gifted education to gifted pupils. As such, school districts must provide for the routine screening of gifted pupils. This routine screening must use one or more tests adopted by the State Board of Education (A.R.S. § 15-779.01, 779.02).

School districts that submit evidence that gifted education teachers have obtained, or are working towards obtaining appropriate gifted education certification endorsements, may apply to the Arizona Department of Education for additional funding for gifted programs. A school district is eligible to receive funding that is equal to $75 per pupil for 4% of the district's student count, or $2,000, whichever is more (A.R.S. § 15-779.03).

Provisions

1.   Creates a Group B weight of G and assigns it a support level weight of 0.007. (Sec. 2)

2.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteDefines G to mean educational programs for gifted pupils. (Sec. 1)

3.   Modifies the definition of Group B to include educational programs for gifted pupils. (Sec. 1)

4.   Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                        HB 2418

Initials CH       Page 0 Education

 

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