 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
artificial intelligence; course; public schools
Purpose
Requires each school district to offer instruction on the ethical, moral and educational uses of artificial intelligence (AI), including basic techniques and ethical considerations for using AI, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Outlines reporting requirements on school districts and administrative requirements on the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) relating to the prescribed AI instruction.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) must prescribe a minimum course of
study, academic standards and competency requirements for common schools and
high schools. The minimum course of study must incorporate the academic
standards which are taught in the common schools and are required to graduate
from high school, including reading, writing, mathematics, science and social
studies. A school district governing board must prescribe curricula that
includes the SBE-adopted academic standards, and may prescribe course of study
or competency requirements that are higher than the SBE-adopted course of study
and competency requirements (A.R.S.
§§ 15-701
and 15-701.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, each school district to offer instruction on the ethical, moral and educational uses of AI, including instruction on:
a) basic techniques for AI prompts; and
b) ethical considerations for using AI in learning and daily life.
2. Allows school districts to provide the prescribed AI instruction through a separate course or by incorporating the equivalent instructional time into existing curricula.
3. Requires, by October 15 of each year, each school district to submit a report to ADE that describes the AI instruction that the school district provides and enrollment metrics for the course or courses through which the AI instruction is provided.
4. Allows ADE to provide any combination of guidelines, resources and grants to school districts for implementation of the prescribed AI instruction.
5. Defines AI as a machine-based system that is able to make predictions, recommendations or decisions, including generative systems that produce content in response to prompts.
6. Contains a statement of legislative findings.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
AII 2/12/26 DP 4-2-1-0
3rd Read 3/3/26 31-25-3-0-1
Prepared by Senate Research
March 20, 2026
MH/SM/hk