[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6370210,"mediaKeyId","2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d","parentId",2151926,"title","Committee approves bill to allow online signature collection for school board candidates; Secretary of State flags $150,000 programming cost","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5564000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d&start=5564&end=5564","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d/thumbnail_5564000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6370210/Arizona/Committee-approves-bill-to-allow-online-signature-collection-for-school-board-candidates-Secretary-of-State-flags-150000-programming-cost","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370210-ff60fab11ce92e806620535e77b454c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1772867024&Signature=Wu8sepcV-LqV02F1knluVoMgmgTPFNo45EQXIxeFuyN5AvkVmRONpYNvk3T-03T7Z96ORybKjR9Kq9WffWAUIwRD~dbWrkqXrYlLtR7XeHZda7zDlpBVifIMTKmJDEyzghhPv-~QYcxfPFlTy4F4eOHg0RZqDx2wR-Y9Nqs7mN81yA~6w8gg7VQe6L6oN8Z4yQvYLaTgXCXf2qTS1GMB9udicCFs9fr2ZsrlFaaXGSJud6bI55z-n4YiPzrFaXP3EZbmD6IVxfhzB2czdSYhtdxNyM7Qfp3DQWL7RAYNC2E7oGWRpLUqve37IN69MS4nGMX3grzPiCeCtVEIxfLtHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona State Legislature","date","2025-01-22T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 1041 would add school district governing board candidates to the list of elected offices eligible to use the Secretary of State’s online signature collection system (EQUAL). Committee testimony described the measure as a modernization intended to reduce barriers to ballot access for candidates in large or rural districts.

A committee staff presenter summarized the bill: the Secretary of State’s online signature collection system would be made available to school board candidates in the same manner as other candidates for elected office. Sponsor Sen. Kavanaugh said he supported the bill as fair and nondiscriminatory across political viewpoints.

Multiple proponents spoke in favor. Chris King, a Vail Unified School District board member and Pima County co‑director of the Arizona School Boards Association, said the ability to gather signatures electronically would have eased his 2020 campaign during COVID and would help candidates in large geographically dispersed districts. The Arizona Association of Counties and a representative of county school superintendents likewise urged passage to reduce barriers for rural candidates. Several local school board members and teachers also testified about the administrative difficulty of gathering signatures across large rural areas.

George Diaz of the Secretary of State’s office said the office supports the bill’s intent but noted a programming cost to add school board races into the EQUAL system. Diaz estimated the development cost at about $150,000, which he characterized as minimal but necessary to implement the change.

The committee moved SB 1041 with a do‑pass recommendation; the roll call vote was unanimous, 7–0. Committee members noted the cost estimate and discussed the practical benefits for rural districts and unpaid school‑board candidates who rely on volunteers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","01/22/2025 - Senate Education","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 1041 would let school district governing board candidates use the Secretary of State’s online signature collection system. The Senate Education Committee voted 7–0 to give the bill a do‑pass recommendation; the Secretary of State’s office said implementation requires about $150,000 in programming work.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370214,"Senate Committee advances bill to set minimum statewide assessment performance for high school graduation",1465,4091000,5556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d&start=4091&end=5556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d/thumbnail_4091000.jpg","/articles/6370214/Arizona/Senate-Committee-advances-bill-to-set-minimum-statewide-assessment-performance-for-high-school-graduation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370214-cbb3d67793656cda3586c99b3574f090/orig.mp4?Expires=1772867024&Signature=isc~9T0K3jo2qJrQ9p2v2yEo5m49so9OzI52-nemh3QklvdfwC0Or~Csty-dkr~jR13NvAFiyZrL4zJ3P5twaURORV6hJ5BTenkhWtQnm8Y6J2maDd84-OkDeInJ6XRgawpNrVVmyFKN~000JCXFnjNmmQqCB9e-gUacrTXx0DppFROX-nyErhl2wnejl73lBz~aEvjFQMLhaZIqyG99hqP4OUuoVhH-mr~bCWXnoK9BQan-kj1~bR-LWWxQAxVSp15UnABIfBeYOr9Ns6w1F65UlfUaJ6VL4b8Ib7BgdFKShtYryfVz8l80c8~VFBjjPYpZGn3q2i78CEmU6~ZQPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 1028, introduced to the Senate Education Committee, would require the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to establish a method and standard for a minimum performance level on the statewide assessment and direct the State Board of Education to include that minimum as a competency criterion for high school graduation.

A committee staff member summarized the bill: ADE would set the minimum performance level and a schedule giving students at least two opportunities to take the statewide assessment in both grades 11 and 12. The bill would exempt students who obtain an industry certification or passing technical skills assessment through an approved career technical education (CTE) program, and would exempt students with an individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. School district governing boards would be required to include the minimum performance level (or an approved exemption) among their criteria for graduation; districts could offer preparatory instruction and materials in grades 9 and 10.

Sen. Kavanaugh, who agreed to sponsor the bill at the superintendent’s request, characterized the proposal as a ‘‘motivator’’ for students and said the cut score would be set at a level intended to encourage study rather than prevent graduation. Superintendent Tom Horn testified in support, saying a prior statewide exit requirement (AIMS) motivated students and teachers and that employers have reported graduates without expected skills. Horn suggested a low ACT cutoff as an example measure and said the intent is to ensure graduates are ‘‘career or college ready.’’

Opponents and public commenters raised concerns about standardized testing and one‑size‑fits‑all accountability. Isaac Glover, a public commenter, argued standardized tests can encourage short‑term memorization and do not address systemic issues that affect learning. Additional public testimony opposed increased regulation and emphasized local control and differing student needs.

Committee members debated both the policy merits and broader trends in assessments. One senator said the bill recalled No Child Left Behind and noted many states have moved away from federal‑style testing mandates; another member said declining proficiency rates in some districts made the proposal worthy of consideration. When asked about stakeholder outreach on a proposed cut score, Superintendent Horn said the administration had not convened a formal stakeholder process to set a specific cut score and that the department could do so.

The committee moved the bill with a do‑pass recommendation; the roll call recorded a final tally of 4 ayes and 3 noes. The bill sponsor indicated that a Senate sponsor (Sen. Kavanaugh) and the superintendent would continue to engage on the policy as it advances.","Senate Bill 1028, which would require the Arizona Department of Education to set a minimum performance level on the statewide assessment as a competency requirement for high school graduation, received a do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Education Committee after debate and public testimony; the committee vote was 4–3.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6370218,"Arizona superintendent emphasizes school safety, teacher retention and AI tutoring in broad K-12 agenda",2843,89000,2932000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d&start=89&end=2932","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2151926-c54256dbcf0ce8b8f8a2e8a2b085474d/thumbnail_89000.jpg","/articles/6370218/Arizona/Arizona-superintendent-emphasizes-school-safety-teacher-retention-and-AI-tutoring-in-broad-K-12-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6370218-f9fa83e4b9451e99145108c0b4533596/orig.mp4?Expires=1772867024&Signature=ZmQ68J8QFwVwd80~hXOHc7fN5t14HInD0kj7V~G0c38Xsk0ZBb9vIC7sfeefY2YKx1WZ8~q69ovUoK2gdbywdO3~qus1pST7Ei43~fLtD7jMN8GHnCeMYB9YmYEFHgcWD~rqqV3GWcU7KUF2eZvNjQ-8kJR4t~636Z~3ovsOsIZ8dQ4u5NDCRLeKYLSz7gC3rnItSli5YEpDEebqZpueK7tSqT19T8pMl1edqAG4qwtWSuNJxG4XSg5FXFI5a98FeHWN-VASOy48gQlvKaZVQWG95ppTmhPKoMRL5ikXDgEpW6WIa6Wo1DthmUu9khQITzDY51Dzk57gJXNrPWdqfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom Horn, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, told the Senate Education Committee that his office is pursuing 15 initiatives aimed at raising academic outcomes, expanding school safety and supporting teachers.

Horn opened his presentation by recounting a recent incident in Tucson in which a newly placed school resource officer (SRO) intervened after a person entered a classroom with a knife and a firearm; Horn said the SRO arrested the individual and likely prevented ‘‘the nightmare I have often talked about.’’ He urged the committee to support expansion of SROs funded through the Department of Education’s program and to give consideration to a bill in the Senate sponsored by Sen. Kavanaugh that would set a minimum performance requirement tied to statewide assessment results for graduation.

Horn described his department’s mission as ‘‘a service organization dedicated to raising academic results and empowering parents’’ and summarized a set of initiatives that he said drive that mission. He listed teacher recruitment and retention programs, leadership training for principals, targeted coaching in low-performing schools, expanded career and technical education (CTE), county consortia for rural professional development, a $40 million federally funded tutoring program, reductions in administrative reporting and a digital education library. Horn said the department has trained about 2,900 principals and leaders and that its improvement teams helped move 70% of bottom‑5% schools out of that category after two years of work.

Horn also highlighted safety and mental‑health supports: he said the number of schools with a police presence rose from about 190 to 565 since he took office and that state funds intended for SROs are allocated to counselors and social workers in some cases. When senators pressed for cost and contracting details for school safety officers and third‑party companies that manage off‑duty officers, Horn said he did not have an exact dollar figure in hand but offered to provide it to the committee on request.

On instruction and standards, Horn pressed for renewed graduation standards tied to academic competency. He urged reinstating a requirement that students demonstrate competency (for example, by meeting an ACT cutoff or earning an industry credential) before graduating, and he said Sen. Kavanaugh will sponsor related legislation. Horn recalled the AIMS-era exit requirement and argued that the absence of a comparable statewide competency test has allowed students to graduate ‘‘who have not learned anything,’’ a concern he said employers have reported to him.

Horn spoke at length about English‑learner instruction, saying the department enforces the voter‑approved 2000 initiative that requires structured English immersion and reported historical gains after teacher training was implemented. He told the committee the department had raised English proficiency rates from single digits to higher rates at one point by combining immersion policy with teacher training.

On technology, Horn described a contract the department has with an adaptive tutoring product (identified in testimony as Conmigo, provided through a partnership with Khan Academy) to offer individualized, AI‑driven tutoring. He said the department paid $1.5 million to cover the first 100,000 students and that after the initial cohort the product would cost roughly $25 per student per year; Horn characterized the tool as a supplement that ‘‘gives every student a tutor’’ and said it is intended to direct students back to areas they did not master.

Horn closed by describing parent‑facing measures, including a hotline and continued support for Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), and said he would return to testify on Sen. Kavanaugh’s bill. Committee members asked multiple substantive questions about the SRO program, the ACT as a graduation measure, and teacher shortages and closures in districts; Horn answered or offered to supply follow‑up details.

The presentation was followed by a separate overview from the Arizona State Board of Education executive director Sean Ross (noted separately in committee minutes).","Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn outlined 15 initiatives focused on school safety, teacher recruitment and retention, reading proficiency, career technical education and expanded use of AI tutoring during a Senate Education Committee presentation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves bill to allow online signature collection for school board candidates; Secretary of State flags $150,000 programming cost

Senate Committee advances bill to set minimum statewide assessment performance for high school graduation

Arizona superintendent emphasizes school safety, teacher retention and AI tutoring in broad K-12 agenda