accommodation schools; high school equivalency

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specifics on how it will be funded or if there are any new funds allocated for this program.

High School Equivalency for Older Students

This law allows county school superintendents to offer high school equivalency (HSE) preparation classes in grades 11 and 12, instead of just grade 12.

What This Bill Does

• Allows county school superintendents to provide HSE preparation classes for students in grades 11 or 12.
• Requires that students must be at least 16 years old to take these classes.
• Adds a requirement that each student taking the HSE prep class must also enroll in a career and technical education course.

Who It Names or Affects

• County school superintendents
• Students in grades 11 or 12 who want to take high school equivalency classes

Terms To Know

High School Equivalency (HSE)

A test that lets students earn a diploma if they did not finish high school.

Accommodation schools

Special schools set up to help certain groups of students who need extra support.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify how much it will cost or if there are any new funds for this program.
• It only applies to county school superintendents and their accommodation schools.

Official Summary Text

SB1166 - 572R - Senate Fact Sheet

Assigned to
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PASSED BY COW

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Seventh
Legislature, Second Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR
S.B. 1166

accommodation
schools; high school equivalency

Purpose

Authorizes a county school superintendent to offer high school
equivalency (HSE) preparation instruction through an accommodation school to
students in grades 11 or 12, rather than only grade 12. Requires a student to
be at least 16 years old to participate in HSE preparation instruction through
an accommodation school as outlined.

Background

Statute allows a county school superintendent to offer HSE preparation
instruction through an accommodation school to grade 12 students who are
enrolled in the accommodation school

if: 1) before providing HSE preparation instruction, the county school
superintendent obtains written consent from the student's parent or, if
emancipated, the student; and 2) each student who participates in HSE
preparation instruction is also enrolled in a career and technical course or
program that leads to a certification, license or credential (
A.R.S.
� 15-305
).

An individual who is at least 16 years old and passes an equivalency test
adopted by the State Board of Education (SBE) will be awarded an Arizona HSE
diploma by the SBE and Superintendent of Public Instruction (
A.R.S.
� 15-702
). An individual is eligible to take an HSE test if the individual:
1) is at least 16 years old; 2) has officially been withdrawn from school; and
3) provides the HSE Testing Center with positive identification and proof of
age. Individuals who are between 16 and 18 years old must also provide: 1) a
signed and notarized statement of consent from a parent or legal guardian; and
2) a letter from the last school attended verifying that the individual has
officially withdrawn from the school (
A.A.C. R7-2-307
).

There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund
associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1.

Authorizes
a county school superintendent to offer HSE preparation instruction through an
accommodation school to students enrolled in the accommodation school in grades
11 or 12, rather than only grade 12.

2.

Adds
a requirement for students who participate in the HSE preparation instruction
as outlined to be at least 16 years old.

3.

Makes
technical and conforming changes.

4.

Becomes
effective on the general effective date.

Amendments Adopted by Committee
of the Whole

1.

Removes grade 10 students from the students to whom a county school
superintendent may offer high school equivalency preparation instruction
through an accommodation school as prescribed.

2.

Makes technical changes.

Senate Action

ED���� 1/28/2026���� DP��� 5-2-0

Prepared by Senate Research

February 24, 2026

MH/SM/hk

Current Bill Text

Chapter 0016 - 572R - S Ver of SB1166

Senate Engrossed

accommodation
schools; high school equivalency

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

CHAPTER 16

SENATE BILL 1166

AN
ACT

amending section 15-305, Arizona
Revised Statutes; relating to county school superintendents.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section
1.
1. Section
15-305, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE
15-305.

Accommodation schools; optional high school equivalency
preparation instruction; requirements; definition

A. A county school superintendent may offer high
school equivalency preparation instruction through an accommodation school to
students who are enrolled in the accommodation school in
grade

either of grades eleven or
twelve, subject to the
following requirements:

1. The student is at least sixteen
years of age.

1.

2.
Before
providing high school equivalency preparation instruction pursuant to this
section, the county school superintendent shall obtain written consent from the
student's parent or, if emancipated, the student.

2.

3.
Each
student who participates in high school equivalency preparation instruction
pursuant to this section must also be enrolled in a career and technical
education course or program that leads to a certification, license or
credential.

B. For the purposes of this section, "high
school equivalency preparation instruction" means instruction that
prepares students to pass the equivalency test adopted by the state board of
education pursuant to section 15-702.
END_STATUTE

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 7, 2026.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 7, 2026.