ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

HB 2158: ADE; high school diplomas; database

Sponsor: Representative Crews, LD 26

Committee on Education

Overview

Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to develop a computerized database containing certificated electronic copies of high school diplomas issued on or after January 1, 2027.

History

The State Board of Education (SBE) is responsible for establishing minimum course of study and competency requirements that incorporate the academic standards adopted by SBE for the graduation of students from high school. School district governing boards are tasked with prescribing criteria for the graduation of students from high school and are authorized to prescribe course of study and competency requirements that are in addition to or higher than the requirements developed by SBE. School districts and charter schools may also choose to offer a Grand Canyon diploma to high school students. A student who meets the proficiency, exam and course requirements outlined in statute may be issued a Grand Canyon diploma in the 10th, 11th or 12th grades (A.R.S. §§ 15-701.01, 15-792.01 and 15-792.03).

Provisions

1. Directs ADE to develop and maintain a computerized database that contains certificated electronic copies of each high school diploma issued on or after January 1, 2027, by a school district, charter school or accommodation school in Arizona. (Sec. 1)

2. Provides that each copy in the database must be convertible to a portable document format and include all information contained in the original high school diploma. (Sec. 1)

3. Instructs ADE to prescribe procedures and requirements that allow any individual who earned a high school diploma on or after January 1, 2027, to request a certificated electronic copy of their diploma from the database. (Sec. 1)

4. Asserts a certificated electronic copy of a high school diploma from the database may only be provided to the individual that was issued the high school diploma. (Sec. 1)

5. Mandates ADE require each individual who requests a copy of a high school diploma through the database to submit proof of their identity. (Sec. 1)

6. Allows ADE to establish and collect fees for producing a certificated electronic copy of a diploma from the database. (Sec. 1)

7. Includes, in high school diploma, high school diplomas issued in accordance with SBE minimum course of study and competency requirements and the Grand Canyon diploma. (Sec. 1)

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11. HB 2158

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