Arizona 2024 2024 Regular Session

Arizona Senate Bill SB1576 Comm Sub / Analysis

Filed 03/14/2024

                    Assigned to ED 	AS PASSED BY COW 
 
 
 
 
ARIZONA STATE SENATE 
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session 
 
AMENDED 
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1576 
 
Asian American history; instruction requirements 
Purpose 
Requires the State Board of Education (SBE), beginning in the 2027-2028 school year, to 
require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history in 
common and high schools. 
Background 
The SBE must prescribe a minimum course of study, academic standards and competency 
requirements for common schools and high schools. A school district governing board must:  
1) prescribe curricula according to the SBE-prescribed minimum course of study and standards; 
and 2) approve courses of study, units recommended for credit and instructional materials.  High 
school social studies competency requirements must include: 1) receiving a specified score on a 
test that is identical to the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test; 2) a requirement that 
students be taught about the Holocaust and other genocides; and 3) the completion of at least a 
half-credit course in economics that includes financial literacy and management. (A.R.S. §§  
15-701; 15-701.01; 15-701.02; 15-721; and 15-722). 
The Arizona Department of Education's (ADE'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. Directs the SBE, in adopting course of study and competency requirements for common 
schools and high schools, to require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and 
Pacific Islander history, beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.  
2. Directs a school district or charter school to consider, when developing or planning the required 
instruction: 
a) the history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in Arizona and the 
United States; 
b) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and 
individuals related to the advancement of civil rights from the 19th century to the present 
day; 
   FACT SHEET – Amended  
S.B. 1576 
Page 2 
 
 
c) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals in the 
arts, humanities, science and government; and 
d) contributions by Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and 
individuals to the economic, cultural, social and political development of the United States. 
3. Directs ADE, by June 14, 2028, and each year thereafter, to annually require school districts 
and charter schools to attest that the required instruction is planned, ongoing and systematic. 
4. Specifies that Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander includes Americans of 
East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent.  
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date. 
Amendment Adopted by Committee of the Whole 
1. Determines the SBE must require instruction about Asian American, Native Hawaiian and 
Pacific Islander history beginning in the 2027-2028 school year.  
2. Replaces the requirement for the SBE to include specified content relating to the history of and 
contributions by Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the required 
instruction with a requirement for school districts or charter schools to consider the specified 
content when developing or planning the required instruction. 
3. Delays, from June 14, 2025, to June 14, 2028, the date by which the ADE must begin to 
annually require school districts and charter schools to attest that the required instruction is 
planned, ongoing and systematic. 
4. Makes conforming changes. 
Senate Action 
ED 2/7/24 DP 7-0-0 
Prepared by Senate Research 
March 14, 2024 
MH/LB/slp