ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: ED DPA 8-2-0-0

HB 2122: continuing high school; workforce training

Sponsor: Representative Kaiser, LD 15

Committee on Appropriations

Overview

Requires the State Board of Education (SBE) to establish a Continuing High School and Workforce Training Program (Program) for adult learners.

History

Statute requires that every child between the ages of 6 and 16 attend a school and be provided instruction in the subjects of reading, grammar, math, social studies and science. Furthermore, public schools are required to admit individuals who are between the ages of 6 and 21 (A.R.S. §§ 15-802, 15-821).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteInstructs SBE to establish a Program that provides adult learners with alternative study services and that leads to the issuance of a high school diploma and industry-recognized credentials. (Sec. 1)

2.   Directs SBE to authorize eligible service providers to establish a Program school in partnership with a school district or nonprofit charter school. (Sec. 1)

3.   Outlines eligibility requirements for service providers. (Sec. 1)

4.   Stipulates that a high school diploma may be issued only to an adult learner who meets all statutory and SBE-prescribed graduation requirements. (Sec. 1)

5.   Mandates a Program school meet all applicable public school legal requirements. (Sec. 1)

6.   Details a Program school's funding as follows:

a)   $7,700 per full-time student enrolled each year;

b)   Part-time students are to be funded in proportion to the number of enrolled courses or hours of instruction; and

c)   In FY 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, these amounts are increased by a minimum growth rate of 2% or the change in the GDP price deflator, whichever is less. (Sec. 1)

7.   Permits a Program school to receive funding for any adult student regardless of age. (Sec. 1)

8.   Prohibits a Program school from receiving any other school finance formula funding. (Sec. 1)

9.   Requires ADE to develop application procedures for the Program. (Sec. 1)

10.  Details that a Program application must include descriptions of the:

a)   Service provider's partnership with a school;

b)   Program school's administrative structure, Program activities, Program staff, budget and specific curriculum;

c)   Program school's academic calendar and schedule;

d)   Program school's location and a description of the Program school's facility;

e)   Specific academic, behavioral and emotional support services offered;

f) Adult learner and family supports that will be provided;

g)   Available counseling services;

h)   Career technical education (CTE) courses offered;

i)   Specific Program outcomes, goals and metrics; and

j)   Projected number of adult learners the Program school will enroll. (Sec. 1)

11.  Requires CTE instruction and courses to lead to industry-recognized credentials or result in an adult learner earning course credits from a university or community college. (Sec. 1)

12.  Allows a service provider to partner with a community college district or career technical education district to provide CTE instruction. (Sec. 1)

13.  Instructs SBE, in consultation with ADE, to approve applications for Program schools that demonstrate the ability to provide adult learners with the instruction and support that lead to a high school diploma and one or more industry-recognized credentials. (Sec. 1)

14.  Limits initial approval of a Program school to no more than two school years and approval renewal to no more than four years, contingent upon performance expectations. (Sec. 1)

15.  Mandates SBE immediately initiate a process to bring a Program school into compliance or to revoke the Program school's authorization to participate in the Program if an approved service provider fails to meet any requirements or rules adopted by SBE. (Sec. 1)

16.  Requires SBE, in consultation with ADE and by July 1, 2024, to adopt performance expectations to evaluate Program schools. (Sec. 1)

17.  Describes the measurements the performance expectations must include. (Sec. 1)

18.  Establishes an annual reporting requirement for approved Program schools participating in the Program and details the information that must be included in these reports. (Sec. 1)

19.  Directs ADE to submit an annual report evaluating the effectiveness of the Program to specified entities by December 15 annually. (Sec. 1)

20.  Outlines total projected full-time enrollment caps for Program schools by fiscal year. (Sec. 1)

21.  Permits SBE to prioritize funding distribution to Program schools demonstrating the highest performance. (Sec. 1)

22.  Prioritizes new Program schools based on the services and supports for adult learners as outlined in their applications. (Sec. 1)

23.  Prohibits a Program school from:

a)   Conducting advertising or marketing campaigns directed at students currently enrolled in a school district or charter school;

b)   Undertaking any other activity that encourages students who are currently enrolled in a school district or charter school to stop attending school to enroll in a Program school; and

c)   Enrolling a student who was enrolled in a school district or charter school within the preceding 30 days. (Sec. 1)

24.  Authorizes SBE to adopt rules to carry out the Program. (Sec. 1)

 

 

 

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                        HB 2122

Initials CH       Page 0 Appropriations

 

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