Arizona 2025 Regular Session

Arizona House Bill HB2897 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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1	1	REFERENCE TITLE: braille literacy; certified teachers; requirements State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025 HB 2897 Introduced by Representatives Contreras P: Cavero, Hernandez A, Liguori, Luna-Njera, Mathis AN ACT amending section 15-214, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to the state board of education. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
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9	9	REFERENCE TITLE: braille literacy; certified teachers; requirements
10	10	State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session 2025
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12	12	Introduced by Representatives Contreras P: Cavero, Hernandez A, Liguori, Luna-Njera, Mathis
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14	14	REFERENCE TITLE: braille literacy; certified teachers; requirements
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40	40	HB 2897
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46	46	Representatives Contreras P: Cavero, Hernandez A, Liguori, Luna-Njera, Mathis
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64	64	AN ACT
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68	68	amending section 15-214, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to the state board of education.
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74	74	(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
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78	78	Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Section 15-214, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE15-214. Braille literacy; rules; requirements; definitions A. The state board of education shall adopt rules to promote braille literacy that: 1. Assure Ensure that each blind pupil receives an individualized braille literacy assessment and appropriate educational services resulting from the assessment, establish standards of proficiency and instruction, provide materials in a computer accessible format capable of braille reproduction and require that certified teachers of visually impaired pupils meet braille competencies as specified in this section. 2. Assure Ensure that, in developing the individualized written education program for each blind pupil, the presumption shall be is that proficiency in braille is essential for that pupil to achieve satisfactory educational progress. Braille instruction and use are not required by this section if, in the course of developing the pupil's individualized education program, all members of the team concur that the pupil's visual impairment does not affect reading and writing performance commensurate with ability. Nothing in This section requires does not require the exclusive use of braille if other special education services are appropriate to the pupil's educational needs. The provision of other appropriate services does not preclude braille use or instruction. 3. Assure Ensure that instruction in braille is sufficient to enable each blind pupil to communicate effectively and efficiently in all subject areas with the same level of proficiency expected of the pupil's peers of comparable ability and grade level. The pupil's individualized education program shall specify: (a) The results of a braille assessment. (b) The methods by which braille will be implemented. (c) The date on which braille instruction will begin. (d) The length of the period of instruction and the frequency and duration of each instructional session. (e) The level of competency in braille to be achieved by the end of the period of instruction and a description of the objective measures to be used to evaluate the pupil's level of competency. (f) A list of the appropriate braille materials and equipment needed to allow the pupil to achieve the level of competency specified in the individualized education program. (g) The rationale for not providing braille if braille is not determined to be an appropriate medium. 4. Assure Ensure that the department of education shall require requires all publishers of textbooks to furnish the department with computer diskettes electronic versions for literary and nonliterary subjects when diskettes electronic versions become available for nonliterary subjects, in a standard format approved by the department of education from which braille versions of the textbook can be produced. 5. Assure Ensure that teachers who are certified in the education of educating blind pupils and visually impaired pupils in this state on or after July 1, 1997 shall be are required to demonstrate competence in braille. Competence shall be as measured by successfully completing either: (a) Successful completion of A nationally validated test, when such a test is available national certification in unified English braille examination. (b) Successful completion of A braille test developed in the program in visual impairment at the university of Arizona. B. As used in For the purposes of this section: , 1. "Blind pupil" means a pupil who meets one or more of the following conditions: 1. (a) Cannot successfully use vision as a primary and efficient channel for learning. 2. (b) Exhibits such a low degree or amount of visual acuity or visual field that vision is not considered as a primary mode of learning. 3. (c) Has a medically indicated prognosis of visual deterioration. 2. "Braille" means the unified english braille code. END_STATUTE
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80	80	Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
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82	82	Section 1. Section 15-214, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
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84	84	START_STATUTE15-214. Braille literacy; rules; requirements; definitions
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86	86	A. The state board of education shall adopt rules to promote braille literacy that:
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88	88	1. Assure Ensure that each blind pupil receives an individualized braille literacy assessment and appropriate educational services resulting from the assessment, establish standards of proficiency and instruction, provide materials in a computer accessible format capable of braille reproduction and require that certified teachers of visually impaired pupils meet braille competencies as specified in this section.
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90	90	2. Assure Ensure that, in developing the individualized written education program for each blind pupil, the presumption shall be is that proficiency in braille is essential for that pupil to achieve satisfactory educational progress. Braille instruction and use are not required by this section if, in the course of developing the pupil's individualized education program, all members of the team concur that the pupil's visual impairment does not affect reading and writing performance commensurate with ability. Nothing in This section requires does not require the exclusive use of braille if other special education services are appropriate to the pupil's educational needs. The provision of other appropriate services does not preclude braille use or instruction.
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92	92	3. Assure Ensure that instruction in braille is sufficient to enable each blind pupil to communicate effectively and efficiently in all subject areas with the same level of proficiency expected of the pupil's peers of comparable ability and grade level. The pupil's individualized education program shall specify:
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94	94	(a) The results of a braille assessment.
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96	96	(b) The methods by which braille will be implemented.
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98	98	(c) The date on which braille instruction will begin.
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100	100	(d) The length of the period of instruction and the frequency and duration of each instructional session.
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102	102	(e) The level of competency in braille to be achieved by the end of the period of instruction and a description of the objective measures to be used to evaluate the pupil's level of competency.
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104	104	(f) A list of the appropriate braille materials and equipment needed to allow the pupil to achieve the level of competency specified in the individualized education program.
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106	106	(g) The rationale for not providing braille if braille is not determined to be an appropriate medium.
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108	108	4. Assure Ensure that the department of education shall require requires all publishers of textbooks to furnish the department with computer diskettes electronic versions for literary and nonliterary subjects when diskettes electronic versions become available for nonliterary subjects, in a standard format approved by the department of education from which braille versions of the textbook can be produced.
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110	110	5. Assure Ensure that teachers who are certified in the education of educating blind pupils and visually impaired pupils in this state on or after July 1, 1997 shall be are required to demonstrate competence in braille. Competence shall be as measured by successfully completing either:
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112	112	(a) Successful completion of A nationally validated test, when such a test is available national certification in unified English braille examination.
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114	114	(b) Successful completion of A braille test developed in the program in visual impairment at the university of Arizona.
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116	116	B. As used in For the purposes of this section: ,
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118	118	1. "Blind pupil" means a pupil who meets one or more of the following conditions:
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120	120	1. (a) Cannot successfully use vision as a primary and efficient channel for learning.
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122	122	2. (b) Exhibits such a low degree or amount of visual acuity or visual field that vision is not considered as a primary mode of learning.
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124	124	3. (c) Has a medically indicated prognosis of visual deterioration.
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126	126	2. "Braille" means the unified english braille code. END_STATUTE