Assigned to ED FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Third Legislature, First Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1254

schools; admissions; desegregation

Purpose

Removes a requirement and related procedures for school districts and charter schools to
admit pupils who reside in the attendance area of a school that is under a court order of
desegregation or that has an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil
Rights (OCR).

Background

Laws 1994, 9th Special Session, Chapter 2, established open enrollment which allows
students to apply for admission to any public school in the state regardless of attendance
boundaries. School districts are required to develop an open enrollment policy that includes
admission criteria, application procedures and transportation provisions.

The same legislation includes a requirement for school districts and charter schools to
admit pupils who reside in the attendance area of a school that is under a court order of
desegregation or that is a party to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education OCR
directed toward remediating alleged or proven racial discrimination unless notice is received from
the resident school that the admission would violate the court order or agreement. If a school
receives notice, it is not allowed to include the student in its student count. Additionally, schools
are not required to admit pupils if the admission would violate the provisions of a court order or
agreement (A.R.S. 15-816.01 and 15-184).

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

Provisions

1. Removes a requirement and related procedures for school districts and charter schools to admit
pupils who reside in the attendance area of a school that is under a court order of desegregation
or that is a party to an agreement with the U.S. Department of Education OCR.

2. Makes a conforming change.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

Prepared by Senate Research

January 30, 2017
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