HB 2284
Initials CH Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-fifth Legislature
Second Regular Session
House: ED DP 6-4-0-1
HB 2284: schools; student promotions
Sponsor: Representative Fillmore, LD 16
House Engrossed
Overview
Requires a teacher retain a pupil in a common school grade or fail a pupil in a high school course
if the pupil does not meet the prescribed criteria for promotion or prescribed competency
requirements.
History
School district governing boards (governing boards) are required to prescribe the curricula and
criteria for the promotion and graduation of students from common school grades and high school
that include the academic standards adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) (A.R.S. §
15-341). The criteria prescribed by a governing board must include the accomplishment of the
academic standards in at least reading, writing, math, science and social studies, as determined
by district assessment. A governing board may include additional measures of academic
achievement and attendance and may prescribe course of study and competency requirements
for promotion or graduation that are in addition to or higher than the course of study and
competency requirements prescribed by SBE.
Currently, statute requires a teacher to determine whether to promote or retain a student in a
common school grade based on the governing board's prescribed criteria. (A.R.S. § 15-701). For
students in high school courses, statute requires a teacher to determine whether to pass or fail a
student based on any prescribed competency requirements (A.R.S. § 15-701.01). A governing
board may review the decision of a teacher to retain or fail a pupil but must base its decision on
its prescribed criteria. Statute places the burden of proof to overturn the teacher's decision on the
pupil. If the governing board overturns the teacher's decision, the governing must adopt a written
finding that the pupil mastered academic standards (A.R.S. § 15-342).
Provisions
Governing Boards
1. Instructs a governing board to prescribe policies and procedures that, subject to governing
board review, require teachers to:
a) Retain a pupil in a common school grade if the pupil does meet the criteria prescribed by
the governing board for promotion; and
b) Fail a pupil in a high school course if the pupil does not meet the competency requirements
prescribed by the governing board for the passage of pupils. (Sec. 1)
Common School Grades
2. Requires a teacher to retain a pupil in a common school grade if the pupil does not meet the
criteria prescribed by the governing board for promotion. (Sec. 2)
3. Permits a teacher to promote a pupil in the 3rd grade who does not demonstrate sufficient
reading skills nor meet the criteria prescribed for promotion if the pupil:
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Initials CH Page 2 House Engrossed
a) Is an English learner or limited English proficient student and has had fewer than two years
of English language instruction;
b) Is in the process of a special education referral or evaluation, has a significant reading
impairment or is a child with a disability, with the agreement of the pupil's individualized
education (IEP) team and guardian;
c) Has demonstrated sufficient reading skills or adequate progress toward sufficient reading
skills; or
d) Receives intervention and remedial services and demonstrates sufficient progress. (Sec.
2)
4. Allows a teacher to promote a pupil in a common school grade who does not meet the criteria
prescribed for promotion if the pupil is:
a) Eligible for a special exception prescribed by the governing board;
b) An English learner or limited English proficient student and has had fewer than two years
of English language instruction, with the agreement of the pupil's teacher and guardian;
or
c) In the process of a special education referral or evaluation, has a significant reading
impairment or is a child with a disability, with the agreement of the pupil's IEP team and
guardian. (Sec. 2)
High School Courses
5. Directs a teacher to fail a pupil in a high school course if the pupil does not meet competency
requirements prescribed by the governing board. (Sec. 3)
6. Allows a teacher to pass a pupil who does not meet the competency requirements of a high
school course if the pupil either:
a) Meets the requirements for a special exception that the governing board prescribes;
b) Is an English learner or a limited English proficient student and has had fewer than two
years of English language instruction, with the agreement of the pupil's teacher and
guardian; or
c) Is in the process of a special education referral or evaluation, has a significant reading
impairment or is a child with a disability, with agreement of the pupil's IEP team and
guardian. (Sec. 3)
Miscellaneous
7. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1, 4, 5)
8. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)