Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, First Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1657
graduation; statewide assessment; requirements
Purpose
Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish a method and standard
to determine the minimum performance level on the adopted statewide assessment to be required
for high school graduation.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) requirements for pupils to graduate from high school
or obtain a high school equivalency diploma must incorporate outlined academic standards. The
SBE establishes 22 credits as the minimum number necessary for high school graduation,
including: 1) 4 credits of English or English as a Second Language; 2) 3 credits in social studies;
3) 4 credits of mathematics; 4) 3 credits of science; 5) 1 credit of fine arts or career and technical
education and vocational education; and 6) 7 credits of additional courses prescribed by the local
school district governing board or charter school. High school graduation criteria adopted by a
school district governing board must require a pupil to accomplish the standards in at least reading,
writing, mathematics, science and social studies, as determined by district assessment (A.R.S.
§ 15-701.01; A.A.C. R7-2-302).
The SBE must adopt a statewide assessment to measure achievement of academic
standards in reading, writing and mathematics in at least four grades. The SBE may administer
assessments in social studies and science. The adopted tests must be given at least annually and be
administered by the school district governing board (A.R.S. § 15-741). The SBE has adopted the
ACT, ACT Aspire and AzSCI as the high school assessments for school year 2022-2023 (ADE).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Directs ADE to:
a) establish a method and standard to determine the minimum performance level on the
adopted statewide assessment required for high school graduation; and
b) prescribe a schedule for administering the adopted statewide assessment to pupils in grades
9 through 12.
2. Requires the statewide assessment graduation requirement to be included in the SBE-
prescribed high school course of study and competency requirements for graduation. FACT SHEET
S.B. 1657
Page 2
3. Requires the academic standards included in school district governing board high school
graduation criteria to be determined by the minimum performance level on the statewide
assessment.
4. Adds the minimum performance level on the statewide assessment to the methods which
determine the accomplishment of academic standards required for high school graduation.
5. Makes technical and conforming changes.
6. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 6, 2023
LB/slp