From http://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00901.htm
15-901. Definitions for a "PUBLIC" School (public, charter, magnet)
A. In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Average daily membership" means the total enrollment of fractional students and full-time students, minus withdrawals, of each school day through the first one hundred days or two hundred days in session, as applicable, for the current year. Withdrawals include students who are formally withdrawn from schools and students who are absent for ten consecutive school days, except for excused absences identified by the department of education. For the purposes of this section, school districts and charter schools shall report student absence data to the department of education at least once every sixty days in session. For computation purposes, the effective date of withdrawal shall be retroactive to the last day of actual attendance of the student or excused absence.
(a) "Fractional student" means:
(i) For common schools, a preschool child who is enrolled in a program for preschool children with disabilities of at least three hundred sixty minutes each week that meets at least two hundred sixteen hours over the minimum number of days or a kindergarten student who is at least five years of age before January 1 of the school year and enrolled in a school kindergarten program that meets at least three hundred fifty-six hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section. Lunch periods and recess periods may not be included as part of the instructional hours unless the child's individualized education program requires instruction during those periods and the specific reasons for such instruction are fully documented. In computing the average daily membership, preschool children with disabilities and kindergarten students shall be counted as one-half of a full-time student. For common schools, a part-time student is a student enrolled for less than the total time for a full-time student as defined in this section. A part-time common school student shall be counted as one-fourth, one-half or three-fourths of a full-time student if the student is enrolled in an instructional program that is at least one-fourth, one-half or three-fourths of the time a full-time student is enrolled as defined in subdivision (b) of this paragraph.
(ii) For high schools, a part-time student who is enrolled in less than four subjects that count toward graduation as defined by the state board of education, each of which, if taught each school day for the minimum number of days required in a school year, would meet a minimum of one hundred twenty-three hours a year, or the equivalent, in a recognized high school. The average daily membership of a part-time high school student shall be 0.75 if the student is enrolled in an instructional program of three subjects that meet at least five hundred forty hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section. The average daily membership of a part-time high school student shall be 0.5 if the student is enrolled in an instructional program of two subjects that meet at least three hundred sixty hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section. The average daily membership of a part-time high school student shall be 0.25 if the student is enrolled in an instructional program of one subject that meets at least one hundred eighty hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section.
(b) "Full-time student" means:
(i) For common schools, a student who is at least six years of age before January 1 of a school year, who has not graduated from the highest grade taught in the school district and who is regularly enrolled in a course of study required by the state board of education. First, second and third grade students or ungraded group B children with disabilities who are at least five, but under six, years of age by September 1 must be enrolled in an instructional program that meets for a total of at least seven hundred twelve hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section. Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students must be enrolled in an instructional program that meets for a total of at least eight hundred ninety hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section. Seventh and eighth grade students must be enrolled in an instructional program that meets for at least one thousand hours. Lunch periods and recess periods may not be included as part of the instructional hours unless the student is a child with a disability and the child's individualized education program requires instruction during those periods and the specific reasons for such instruction are fully documented.
(ii) For high schools, a student who has not graduated from the highest grade taught in the school district and who is enrolled in at least an instructional program of four or more subjects that count toward graduation as defined by the state board of education, each of which, if taught each school day for the minimum number of days required in a school year, would meet a minimum of one hundred twenty-three hours a year, or the equivalent, that meets for a total of at least seven hundred twenty hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the instructional hours prescribed in this section in a recognized high school. A full-time student shall not be counted more than once for computation of average daily membership. The average daily membership of a full-time high school student shall be 1.0 if the student is enrolled in at least four subjects that meet at least seven hundred twenty hours for a one hundred eighty-day school year, or the equivalent instructional hours prescribed in this section.
(iii) If a child who has not reached five years of age before September 1 of the current school year is admitted to kindergarten and repeats kindergarten in the following school year, a school district or charter school is not eligible to receive basic state aid on behalf of that child during the child's second year of kindergarten. If a child who has not reached five years of age before September 1 of the current school year is admitted to kindergarten but does not remain enrolled, a school district or charter school may receive a portion of basic state aid on behalf of that child in the subsequent year. A school district or charter school may charge tuition for any child who is ineligible for basic state aid pursuant to this item.
(iv) Except as otherwise provided by law, for a full-time high school student who is concurrently enrolled in two school districts or two charter schools, the average daily membership shall not exceed 1.0.
(v) Except as otherwise provided by law, for any student who is concurrently enrolled in a school district and a charter school, the average daily membership shall be apportioned between the school district and the charter school and shall not exceed 1.0. The apportionment shall be based on the percentage of total time that the student is enrolled in or in attendance at the school district and the charter school.
(vi) Except as otherwise provided by law, for any student who is concurrently enrolled, pursuant to section 15-808, in a school district and Arizona online instruction or a charter school and Arizona online instruction, the average daily membership shall be apportioned between the school district and Arizona online instruction or the charter school and Arizona online instruction and shall not exceed 1.0. The apportionment shall be based on the percentage of total time that the student is enrolled in or in attendance at the school district and Arizona online instruction or the charter school and Arizona online instruction.
(vii) For homebound or hospitalized, a student receiving at least four hours of instruction per week.
2. "Budget year" means the fiscal year for which the school district is budgeting and that immediately follows the current year.
3. "Common school district" means a political subdivision of this state offering instruction to students in programs for preschool children with disabilities and kindergarten programs and either:
(a) Grades one through eight.
(b) Grades one through nine pursuant to section 15-447.01.
4. "Current year" means the fiscal year in which a school district is operating.
5. "Daily attendance" means:
(a) For common schools, days in which a pupil:
(i) Of a kindergarten program or ungraded, but not group B children with disabilities, who is at least five, but under six, years of age by September 1 attends at least three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day. If the total instruction time scheduled for the year is at least three hundred fifty-six hours but is less than seven hundred twelve hours, such attendance shall be counted as one-half day of attendance. If the instructional time scheduled for the year is at least six hundred ninety-two hours, "daily attendance" means days in which a pupil attends at least one-half of the instructional time scheduled for the day. Such attendance shall be counted as one-half day of attendance.
(ii) Of the first, second or third grades attends more than three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day.
(iii) Of the fourth, fifth or sixth grades attends more than three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day, except as provided in section 15-797.
(iv) Of the seventh or eighth grades attends more than three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day, except as provided in section 15-797.
(b) For common schools, the attendance of a pupil at three-quarters or less of the instructional time scheduled for the day shall be counted as follows, except as provided in section 15-797 and except that attendance for a fractional student shall not exceed the pupil's fractional membership:
(i) If attendance for all pupils in the school is based on quarter days, the attendance of a pupil shall be counted as one-fourth of a day's attendance for each one-fourth of full-time instructional time attended.
(ii) If attendance for all pupils in the school is based on half days, the attendance of at least three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day shall be counted as a full day's attendance and attendance at a minimum of one-half but less than three-quarters of the instructional time scheduled for the day equals one-half day of attendance.
(c) For common schools, the attendance of a preschool child with disabilities shall be counted as one-fourth day's attendance for each thirty-six minutes of attendance not including lunch periods and recess periods, except as provided in paragraph 1, subdivision (a), item (i) of this subsection for children with disabilities up to a maximum of three hundred sixty minutes each week.
(d) For high schools, the attendance of a pupil shall not be counted as a full day unless the pupil is actually and physically in attendance and enrolled in and carrying four subjects, each of which, if taught each school day for the minimum number of days required in a school year, would meet a minimum of one hundred twenty-three hours a year, or the equivalent, that count toward graduation in a recognized high school except as provided in section 15-797 and subdivision (e) of this paragraph. Attendance of a pupil carrying less than the load prescribed shall be prorated.
(e) For high schools, the attendance of a pupil may be counted as one-fourth of a day's attendance for each sixty minutes of instructional time in a subject that counts toward graduation, except that attendance for a pupil shall not exceed the pupil's full or fractional membership.
(f) For homebound or hospitalized, a full day of attendance may be counted for each day during a week in which the student receives at least four hours of instruction.
(g) For school districts that maintain school for an approved year-round school year operation, attendance shall be based on a computation, as prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction, of the one hundred eighty days' equivalency or two hundred days' equivalency, as applicable, of instructional time as approved by the superintendent of public instruction during which each pupil is enrolled.
6. "Daily route mileage" means the sum of:
(a) The total number of miles driven daily by all buses of a school district while transporting eligible students from their residence to the school of attendance and from the school of attendance to their residence on scheduled routes approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
(b) The total number of miles driven daily on routes approved by the superintendent of public instruction for which a private party, a political subdivision or a common or a contract carrier is reimbursed for bringing an eligible student from the place of the student's residence to a school transportation pickup point or to the school of attendance and from the school transportation scheduled return point or from the school of attendance to the student's residence. Daily route mileage includes the total number of miles necessary to drive to transport eligible students from and to their residence as provided in this paragraph.
7. "District support level" means the base support level plus the transportation support level.
8. "Eligible students" means:
(a) Students who are transported by or for a school district and who qualify as full-time students or fractional students, except students for whom transportation is paid by another school district or a county school superintendent, and:
(i) For common school students, whose place of actual residence within the school district is more than one mile from the school facility of attendance or students who are admitted pursuant to section 15-816.01 and who meet the economic eligibility requirements established under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1785) for free or reduced price lunches and whose actual place of residence outside the school district boundaries is more than one mile from the school facility of attendance.
(ii) For high school students, whose place of actual residence within the school district is more than one and one-half miles from the school facility of attendance or students who are admitted pursuant to section 15-816.01 and who meet the economic eligibility requirements established under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1785) for free or reduced price lunches and whose actual place of residence outside the school district boundaries is more than one and one-half miles from the school facility of attendance.
(b) Kindergarten students, for purposes of computing the number of eligible students under subdivision (a), item (i) of this paragraph, shall be counted as full-time students, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
(c) Children with disabilities, as defined by section 15-761, who are transported by or for the school district or who are admitted pursuant to chapter 8, article 1.1 of this title and who qualify as full-time students or fractional students regardless of location or residence within the school district or children with disabilities whose transportation is required by the pupil's individualized education program.
(d) Students whose residence is outside the school district and who are transported within the school district on the same basis as students who reside in the school district.
9. "Enrolled" or "enrollment" means that a pupil is currently registered in the school district.
10. "GDP price deflator" means the average of the four implicit price deflators for the gross domestic product reported by the United States department of commerce for the four quarters of the calendar year.
11. "High school district" means a political subdivision of this state offering instruction to students for grades nine through twelve or that portion of the budget of a common school district that is allocated to teaching high school subjects with permission of the state board of education.
12. "Revenue control limit" means the base revenue control limit plus the transportation revenue control limit.
13. "Student count" means average daily membership as prescribed in this subsection for the fiscal year before the current year, except that for the purpose of budget preparation student count means average daily membership as prescribed in this subsection for the current year.
14. "Submit electronically" means submitted in a format and in a manner prescribed by the department of education.
15. "Total bus mileage" means the total number of miles driven by all buses of a school district during the school year.
16. "Total students transported" means all eligible students transported from their place of residence to a school transportation pickup point or to the school of attendance and from the school of attendance or from the school transportation scheduled return point to their place of residence.
17. "Unified school district" means a political subdivision of this state offering instruction to students in programs for preschool children with disabilities and kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve.
B. In this title, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Base" means the revenue level per student count specified by the legislature.
2. "Base level" means the following amounts plus the percentage increases to the base level as provided in sections 15-902.04 and 15-952, except that if a school district or charter school is eligible for an increase in the base level as provided in two or more of these sections, the base level amount shall be calculated by compounding rather than adding the sum of one plus the percentage of the increase from those different sections:
(a) For fiscal year 2007-2008, three thousand two hundred twenty-six dollars eighty-eight cents.
(b) For fiscal year 2008-2009, three thousand two hundred ninety-one dollars forty-two cents.
(c) For fiscal years 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, three thousand two hundred sixty-seven dollars seventy-two cents.
(d) For fiscal year 2013-2014, three thousand three hundred twenty-six dollars fifty-four cents.
(e) For fiscal year 2014-2015, three thousand three hundred seventy-three dollars eleven cents.
(f) For fiscal year 2015-2016, three thousand six hundred dollars zero cents.
(g) For fiscal year 2016-2017, three thousand six hundred thirty-five dollars sixty-four cents.
3. "Base revenue control limit" means the base revenue control limit computed as provided in section 15-944.
4. "Base support level" means the base support level as provided in section 15-943.
5. "Certified teacher" means a person who is certified as a teacher pursuant to the rules adopted by the state board of education, who renders direct and personal services to schoolchildren in the form of instruction related to the school district's educational course of study and who is paid from the maintenance and operation section of the budget.
6. "DD" means programs for children with developmental delays who are at least three years of age but under ten years of age. A preschool child who is categorized under this paragraph is not eligible to receive funding pursuant to section 15-943, paragraph 2, subdivision (b).
7. "ED, MIID, SLD, SLI and OHI" means programs for children with emotional disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, a specific learning disability, a speech/language impairment and other health impairments. A preschool child who is categorized as SLI under this paragraph is not eligible to receive funding pursuant to section 15-943, paragraph 2, subdivision (b).
8. "ED-P" means programs for children with emotional disabilities who are enrolled in private special education programs as prescribed in section 15-765, subsection D, paragraph 1 or in an intensive school district program as provided in section 15-765, subsection D, paragraph 2.
9. "ELL" means English learners who do not speak English or whose native language is not English, who are not currently able to perform ordinary classroom work in English and who are enrolled in an English language education program pursuant to sections 15-751, 15-752 and 15-753.
10. "Full-time equivalent certified teacher" or "FTE certified teacher" means for a certified teacher the following:
(a) If employed full time as defined in section 15-501, 1.00.
(b) If employed less than full time, multiply 1.00 by the percentage of a full school day, or its equivalent, or a full class load, or its equivalent, for which the teacher is employed as determined by the governing board.
11. "Group A" means educational programs for career exploration, a specific learning disability, an emotional disability, a mild intellectual disability, remedial education, a speech/language impairment, developmental delay, homebound, bilingual, other health impairments and gifted pupils.
12. "Group B" means educational improvements for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one through three, educational programs for autism, a hearing impairment, a moderate intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairment, orthopedic impairments, preschool severe delay, a severe intellectual disability and emotional disabilities for school age pupils enrolled in private special education programs or in school district programs for children with severe disabilities or visual impairment and English learners enrolled in a program to promote English language proficiency pursuant to section 15-752.
13. "HI" means programs for pupils with hearing impairment.
14. "Homebound" or "hospitalized" means a pupil who is capable of profiting from academic instruction but is unable to attend school due to illness, disease, accident or other health conditions, who has been examined by a competent medical doctor and who is certified by that doctor as being unable to attend regular classes for a period of not less than three school months or a pupil who is capable of profiting from academic instruction but is unable to attend school regularly due to chronic or acute health problems, who has been examined by a competent medical doctor and who is certified by that doctor as being unable to attend regular classes for intermittent periods of time totaling three school months during a school year. The medical certification shall state the general medical condition, such as illness, disease or chronic health condition, that is the reason that the pupil is unable to attend school. Homebound or hospitalized includes a student who is unable to attend school for a period of less than three months due to a pregnancy if a competent medical doctor, after an examination, certifies that the student is unable to attend regular classes due to risk to the pregnancy or to the student's health.
15. "K-3" means kindergarten programs and grades one through three.
16. "K-3 reading" means reading programs for pupils in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three.
17. "MD-R, A-R and SID-R" means resource programs for pupils with multiple disabilities, autism and severe intellectual disability.
18. "MD-SC, A-SC and SID-SC" means self-contained programs for pupils with multiple disabilities, autism and severe intellectual disability.
19. "MD-SSI" means a program for pupils with multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairment.
20. "MOID" means programs for pupils with moderate intellectual disability.
21. "OI-R" means a resource program for pupils with orthopedic impairments.
22. "OI-SC" means a self-contained program for pupils with orthopedic impairments.
23. "PSD" means preschool programs for children with disabilities as provided in section 15-771.
24. "P-SD" means programs for children who meet the definition of preschool severe delay as provided in section 15-771.
25. "Qualifying tax rate" means the qualifying tax rate specified in section 15-971 applied to the assessed valuation used for primary property taxes.
26. "Small isolated school district" means a school district that meets all of the following:
(a) Has a student count of fewer than six hundred in kindergarten programs and grades one through eight or grades nine through twelve.
(b) Contains no school that is fewer than thirty miles by the most reasonable route from another school, or, if road conditions and terrain make the driving slow or hazardous, fifteen miles from another school that teaches one or more of the same grades and is operated by another school district in this state.
(c) Is designated as a small isolated school district by the superintendent of public instruction.
27. "Small school district" means a school district that meets all of the following:
(a) Has a student count of fewer than six hundred in kindergarten programs and grades one through eight or grades nine through twelve.
(b) Contains at least one school that is fewer than thirty miles by the most reasonable route from another school that teaches one or more of the same grades and is operated by another school district in this state.
(c) Is designated as a small school district by the superintendent of public instruction.
28. "Transportation revenue control limit" means the transportation revenue control limit computed as prescribed in section 15-946.
29. "Transportation support level" means the support level for pupil transportation operating expenses as provided in section 15-945.
30. "VI" means programs for pupils with visual impairments.
From http://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00802.htm
15-802. School instruction; exceptions; violations; classification; definitions
A. Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. The person who has custody of the child shall choose a public, private or charter school or a homeschool as defined in this section to provide instruction or shall sign a contract to participate in an Arizona empowerment scholarship account pursuant to section 15-2402.
B. The parent or person who has custody shall do the following:
1. If the child will attend a public, private or charter school, enroll the child in and ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school for the full time school is in session. In accordance with guidelines adopted by the department of education, school districts and charter schools shall require and maintain verifiable documentation of residency in this state for pupils who enroll in the school district or charter school. If a child attends a school that is operated on a year-round basis, the child shall regularly attend during school sessions that total not less than one hundred eighty school days or two hundred school days, as applicable, or the equivalent as approved by the superintendent of public instruction.
2. If the child will attend a private school or homeschool, file an affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent stating that the child is attending a regularly organized private school or is being provided with instruction in a homeschool. The affidavit of intent shall include:
(a) The child's name.
(b) The child's date of birth.
(c) The current address of the school the child is attending.
(d) The names, telephone numbers and addresses of the persons who currently have custody of the child.
3. If the child will attend homeschool, the child has not reached eight years of age by September 1 of the school year and the person who has custody of the child does not desire to begin home instruction until the child has reached eight years of age, file an affidavit of intent pursuant to paragraph 2 of this subsection stating that the person who has custody of the child does not desire to begin homeschool instruction.
C. An affidavit of intent shall be filed within thirty days from the time the child begins to attend a private school or homeschool and is not required thereafter unless the private school or the homeschool instruction is terminated and then resumed. The person who has custody of the child shall notify the county school superintendent within thirty days of the termination that the child is no longer being instructed at a private school or a homeschool. If the private school or homeschool instruction is resumed, the person who has custody of the child shall file another affidavit of intent with the county school superintendent within thirty days.
D. A person is excused from the duties prescribed by subsection A or B of this section if any of the following is shown to the satisfaction of the school principal or the school principal's designee:
1. The child is in such physical or mental condition that instruction is inexpedient or impracticable.
2. The child has completed the high school course of study necessary for completion of grade ten as prescribed by the state board of education.
3. The child has presented reasons for nonattendance at a public school that are satisfactory to the school principal or the school principal's designee. For the purposes of this paragraph, the principal's designee may be the school district governing board.
4. The child is over fourteen years of age and is employed, with the consent of the person who has custody of the child, at some lawful wage earning occupation.
5. The child is enrolled in a work training, career education, career and technical education, vocational education or manual training program that meets the educational standards established and approved by the department of education.
6. The child was either:
(a) Suspended and not directed to participate in an alternative education program.
(b) Expelled from a public school as provided in article 3 of this chapter.
7. The child is enrolled in an education program provided by a state educational or other institution.
E. Unless otherwise exempted in this section or section 15-803, a parent of a child between six and sixteen years of age or a person who has custody of a child, who does not provide instruction in a homeschool and who fails to enroll or fails to ensure that the child attends a public, private or charter school pursuant to this section or fails to sign a contract to participate in an empowerment scholarship account pursuant to section 15-2402 is guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. A parent who fails to comply with the duty to file an affidavit of intent to provide instruction in a homeschool is guilty of a petty offense.
F. If a child will be educated pursuant to an empowerment scholarship account pursuant to section 15-2402, the department of education shall provide a list of students participating in empowerment scholarship accounts to the school superintendent of the county where the pupil resides.
G. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Educated pursuant to an empowerment scholarship account" means a child whose parent has signed a contract pursuant to section 15-2402 to educate the child outside of any school district or charter school and in which the parent may but is not required to enroll the child in a private school or to educate the child through any of the methods specified in section 15-2402.
2. "Homeschool" means a nonpublic school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or nonpublic instruction provided in the child's home.
3. "Private school" means a nonpublic institution, other than the child's home, where academic instruction is provided for at least the same number of days and hours each year as a public school.
From - https://www.cato.org/publications/policy-analysis/state-education-trends#/AZ
State Education Trends
Long-term trends in academic performance and spending are valuable tools for evaluating past education policies and informing current ones. But such data have been scarce at the state level, where the most important education policy decisions are made. State spending data exist reaching back to the 1960s, but the figures have been scattered across many different publications. State-level academic performance data are either nonexistent prior to 1990 or, as in the case of the SAT, are unrepresentative of statewide student populations. Using a time-series regression approach described in a separate publication, this paper adjusts state SAT score averages for factors such as participation rate and student demographics, which are known to affect outcomes, then validates the results against recent state-level National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test scores. This produces continuous, state-representative estimated SAT score trends reaching back to 1972. The present paper charts these trends against both inflation-adjusted per pupil spending and the raw, unadjusted SAT results, providing an unprecedented perspective on American education inputs and outcomes over the past 40 years.
Read the Full Policy Analysis
From - https://www.freedominthe50states.org/overall/arizona
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AZ Rules for Schools PDF:
State Regulation
State Regulation of Private and Home Schools — Map
Note this is a stand-alone state chapter.
State Regulation of Private Schools (Revised July 2009) is the last full report.
Private Schools
Accreditation, Registration, Licensing, and Approval
- No requirements for Accreditation.
- No requirements for Registration.
- No requirements for Licensing.
- No requirements for Approval.
- "Private school" is defined as "a nonpublic institution, other than the child's home, where academic instruction is provided for at least the same number of days and hours each year as a public school." Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-802F.2.
- "Nothing in this title shall be construed to provide the state board of education or the governing boards of school districts control or supervision over private schools." Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-161.
Teacher Certification
- Teacher certification is not required.
Length of School Year and Days
- To comply with the Arizona compulsory school attendance statute, private school students must attend school for the full time school is in session in the local school district. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-802B.2.
Curriculum
- "Every child between the ages of six and sixteen years shall attend a school and shall be provided instruction in at least the subjects of reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies and science. The person who has custody of the child shall choose a public, private, charter or home school as defined in this section to provide instruction." Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-802A.
- If a student transfers from a private school to a public school, the public school must provide the student with a list that indicates which credits are accepted and denied by the school district. The student is allowed to take an examination in each course denied credit. If the student earns a passing score on a test designated by the school district and evaluated by a teacher in that district, the student will receive credit for the course. The governing board of the school district may recommend requirements for accepting credits of private school students transferring to public schools in that district. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-701.01G.
Recordkeeping and Reports
- Upon enrollment of the pupil, private schools must maintain a copy in the pupil's file of the reliable proof of her or his identity and age, e.g. birth certificate or baptismal certificate. Any inaccurate or suspicious affidavit must be reported to the local law enforcement agency. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-828A, C, E.
- Within five school days after enrolling a transfer student from a private school or another school district, a school must request directly from the pupil's previous school a certified copy of the transcript's record with "due diligence." Any school requested to forward a copy of a student's record must do so within 10 days unless financial debt is owed or the record has been flagged pursuant to section 15-829 referencing a missing child reported by a parent or guardian. If the record is flagged, the requested school must not notify the local law enforcement agency of the request and not forward the copy of the record. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-828 F.
- By November 30 of each school year, private schools must report the following to the health department and the department of health services on forms provided: 1) the number of pupils immunized/or who have submitted laboratory evidence of immunity; 2) the number of students with incomplete immunization; and 3) the number of students exempt from immunization. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-874 D.
- Parents enrolling students in private schools must file an affidavit with the county superintendent stating that the student is attending a school for the full time that the schools in the school district are in session, and the name and address of the school that the child is attending. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-802B.2.
- Before January 15 each year, the superintendent of public instruction must make an annual report to the governor and state legislature of the number of children attending private schools. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-255.
Health and Safety Requirements
- Children are not allowed to attend school without submitting documentary proof of immunization to the school administrator, unless they are exempt under §15-873, or in the process of immunization. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-872.
- The fire marshal is responsible for establishing programs for evacuating school buildings and instructing students in private schools on the importance of fire preventions and control. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§41-2165; 2163A.4.
- Arizona requires students, teachers, and visitors in private schools to use protective eyewear while participating in or observing certain educational activities in vocational, technical and industrial arts, art, or laboratory science. Private or parochial schools must equip their schools with the appropriate protective eyewear. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-151.
- Arizona places additional criminal penalties on persons convicted of selling illegal drugs in a drug-free school zone. The administrative officer of a nonpublic school shall place and maintain signs identifying the school and its grounds as a drug-free school zone. Illegal drug transactions observed by school personnel must be reported. School records of alleged student violations must be made available to the peace officer upon written request. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §13-3411.
Transportation
- There is no state policy at this time.
Textbooks
- There is no state policy at this time.
Testing
- There is no state policy at this time.
Special Education
- School districts or county school superintendents may contract with private schools to provide education and related services for public school students with disabilities. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-765D.
- Arizona provides special education residential vouchers for special education students publicly placed in private special education facilities providing 24-hour residential care. Private schools accepting vouchers may not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, or disability. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-1184.
Nursing and Health
- Private schools may participate in school meal programs offered by the state and through federal assistance programs. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15-1151.
Technology
- There is no state policy at this time.
Professional Development
- There is no state policy at this time.
Reimbursement for Performing State and Local Functions
- There is no state policy at this time.
Tax Exemption
- No tax may be laid or appropriation of public money made in aid of any private or sectarian school. Arizona Constitution, Art. 9, Sec. 7.
- Property of educational, charitable, and religious associations or institutions not used or held for profit may be exempt from taxation by law. Arizona Constitution, Art. 9, Sec. 2.
Public Aid for Private Education
- Constitutional Provisions: No public money or property may be appropriated or applied to any religious instruction or in support of any religious establishment. Arizona Constitution, Art. 2, Sec. 12.
The state school fund may be apportioned only for public education. Arizona Constitution, Art. 11, Sec. 8. - Programs for Financial Assistance for Attendance at Private Schools:
- Individual School Tuition Organization Tax Credit was enacted in 1997 and implemented in 1998. This program provides tax credits to individual taxpayers for contributions made to school tuition organizations (STOs). An STO is defined as a 501(c)(3) organization that "allocates at least 90 percent of its annual revenue for education scholarships or tuition grants to children" to allow them to attend the school of their choice, including private and/or parochial schools. The amount of the credit is equal to the amount contributed, with a maximum credit of $500 to a single taxpayer and $1,000 for a married couple filing jointly. STOs determine the amount of the scholarship and student eligibility. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §43-1089. This program's constitutionality was upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court in Kotterman v. Killian (1999).
- Corporate School Tuition Organization Tax Credit became law in 2006 and allows corporations to receive a tax credit for contributing to a school tuition organization. The amount of the credit is equal to the amount contributed. The maximum aggregate amount of tax credits is $10 million, which increases by 20 percent annually. Tax credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The scholarships have maximum limits of $4,200 and $5,500 for students grades K— 8 and 9— 12, respectively. A student is eligible if his or her family's income does not exceed 185 percent of the income limit required for students to qualify for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §43-1183.
- Arizona Scholarships for Pupils with Disabilities Program was implemented in the 2006— 07 school year and provides special needs children with the option of attending another public school or receiving a scholarship for attendance at a qualified private school. In order to be a state-qualified school, the school may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, familial status, or national origin. An eligible student must have an Individualized Education Program and attended a public school in the prior year. The amount of assistance is the school's tuition and fees or actual cost per pupil, whichever is greater, but may not exceed the amount of funding the student would have generated had he or she remained in a public school. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§15— 891— 891.06.
- Displaced Pupils Choice Grant Program became law in 2006 and began in the 2007— 08 academic year. A student is eligible to receive this voucher if he or she has been in the foster care system any time before high school graduation. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and can be used to pay tuition at any private school in the state of Arizona. Participating schools may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§15-817—817.07.
- Empowerment Scholarship Account Program became law in 2011. Designated for special needs children, these educational savings account funds provide for qualified students to access an education which must, at minimum, include reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science. An eligible student receives a scholarship account into which the state deposits 90 percent of the student's funding level as determined by the school finance formula. Parents draw on the funds for private school and related expenses. Participating schools must be nongovernmental K—12 schools or preschools for handicapped students and must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§15—2401—2402.
Home Schools
- "Home school" is defined as "a school conducted primarily by the parent, guardian or other person who has custody of the child or instruction provided in the child's home." Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802F.1.
- Each county has jurisdiction over home schooling within its borders. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802, 15—802.01.
Initial and Renewal Applications
- Parents or guardians are required to complete, notarize, and file an affidavit of home schooling with the county school superintendent in the county in which they live within 30 days of beginning to homeschool their child. If a child returns to a public school, the parent is again obligated to report this change of placement to the county school superintendent within 30 days. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§15—802, 15— 802.01.
- The parent must also submit to the county school superintendent within 30 days of the start of home instruction at least one of the following: a birth certificate, reliable proof of the child's identity and age, or a letter from the authorized agency with custody of the child. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—828 B.
- If the parent does not comply with the notification requirements, then the school, school district, or county school superintendent will notify the parents in writing, and if the parent does not comply within 10 days, the case will be referred to the local law enforcement agency for investigation. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—828 D.
Curriculum and Instruction
- Instruction occurs for students between the ages of six and 16. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802
- Homeschool instruction at minimum includes reading, grammar, math, social studies, and science. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802(A).
Assessment and Diplomas
- There are no annual testing requirements. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§15—802, 15—802.1.
Public School Access
- Home-instructed students are allowed to participate in the public schools' interscholastic activities for the attendance area where they reside. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §15—802.01.