Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1557
schools; academic standards; social studies
Purpose
Requires the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE), when next updating the high school
social studies academic standards, to include the history and contributions of Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders in the United States and in Arizona.
Background
The SBE must prescribe academic standards for the graduation of pupils from high school
in social studies, which include personal finance, American civics education and a comparative
discussion of political ideologies, such as communism and totalitarianism that conflict with the
principles of freedom and democracy that are essential to the founding principles of the United
States (A.R.S. ยง 15-701.01). The Arizona Department of Education's website provides optional
instructional resources for local education agencies by grade level on certain topics including
Asian-American Pacific Islander history (ADE).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the SBE to include in high school social science studies standards the history and
contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States and in Arizona.
2. Defers the requirement until the SBE next updates the social studies standards.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 13, 2023
LB/KT/slp