Bill > HB2956

This bill introduces several significant changes to K-12 education in Arizona for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires high schools to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at each campus and school-sponsored athletic event starting August 1, 2026, ensuring they are clearly marked, easily accessible, and maintained in good working order. The bill updates financial provisions for charter schools, including adjusting additional assistance funding per student and modifying budget reporting requirements to include more detailed teacher staffing information. The Department of Education will now be required to conduct a comprehensive annual study on teacher retention, tracking metrics such as retention rates, teaching assignments, vacancy information, and teacher preparation program data. Additionally, the bill establishes a ninth grade on-track grant program to help schools implement strategies that support students in completing credits and staying on track to graduate, with grants available for schools to develop intervention and support systems. The legislation also transfers responsibilities for the K-12 school financial transparency portal from the Department of Administration to the Department of Education and makes various technical amendments to existing education statutes, including adjusting base funding levels and tax rates for school districts.

Budget and Finance

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83463