March 2010 Daily In-Session Updates

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►March 31, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

Today, most of the focus was on the passage of Special Session bills regarding litigation on federal health care reform. On the education front, the Prop. 301 estimate was released for Fiscal Year 2011. On a cash basis, the estimate is $220 per student; however, if you are a district that previously spent up to the budget allocated level, the estimate is $25 per student. Further, the Senate Third Read two bills affecting K-12 education. First, SB 1097 (schools; data; noncitizen students) passed on a 16-10 vote. This bill would require, to the extent permitted by federal law, school districts to submit data to the AZ Department of Education on students who attend school and are undocumented. Further, the bill requires ADE to submit a report each year with a variety of items and allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to withhold state aid for noncompliance. ASBA opposes. HB 2128 was substituted for SB 1310 (JTEDs; omnibus and passed on a 25-3 vote. This bill makes a number of changes to JTED statues, including financial provisions and program v. course definitions. ASBA supports. The Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee didn’t get started until after 4:30 p.m. from a scheduled 1:30 p.m. start. We have another week to hear bills in the opposite house of origin. Stay tuned!

►March 30, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

Today, the House heard HB 2235 (school personnel; employment information; investigations) in Committee of the Whole. This bill requires the Arizona Department of Education to maintain a confidential database of information on certificated persons who are under investigation for alleged immoral or unprofessional conduct to be made available to schools and school districts. The bill passed COW amended to lessen the burden on districts to check the database annually; ASBA supports with the amendment. HB 2504 (GPLET; lease records and reporting) passed with the Ways and Means amendment and would set new rates and provides additional requirements for leases entered into beginning January 1, 2011 that are subject to the Government Property Lease Excise Tax (GPLET), modifies the requirements to abate the GPLET, requires the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to complete a special audit of the GPLET, and establishes annual reporting requirements. HB 2080 (pupils with chronic health problems) expands the types of health professionals who may certify that a pupil has a chronic health problem. The bill passed House third read 51-6, 3 not voting.

Further, the Senate Third Read two bills affecting K-12 education. First, SB 1097 (schools; data; noncitizen students) passed on a 16-10 vote. This bill would require, to the extent permitted by federal law, school districts to submit data to the AZ Department of Education on students who attend school and are undocumented. Further, the bill requires ADE to submit a report each year with a variety of items and allows the Superintendent of Public Instruction to withhold state aid for noncompliance. ASBA opposes. HB 2128 was substituted for SB 1310 (JTEDs; omnibus and passed on a 25-3 vote. This bill makes a number of changes to JTED statues, including financial provisions and program v. course definitions. ASBA supports.

The Senate Education Accountability and Reform Committee didn’t get started until after 4:30 p.m. from a scheduled 1:30 p.m. start. We have another week to hear bills in the opposite house of origin. Stay tuned!

►March 30, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

HB 2080 (pupils with chronic health problems) expands the types of health professionals who may certify that a pupil has a chronic health problem. The bill passed House third read 51-6, 3 not voting.

►March 29, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

This morning, the US Department of Education named Delaware and Tennessee as the winners of Phase 1 of Race to the Top. Out of 16 finalists for RTTT, only 2 states were selected.

This morning, the House Committee on Education met at 10 a.m. to hear a lengthy agenda. SB 1119 (task force; K-3 accountability; assessments) passed 9-0 with 1 member absent; ASBA supports. This bill establishes the Task Force on K-3 Accountability and Assessments to examine and evaluate the best practices in accountability and assessment measures and measures in academic gains for K-3 schools. SB 1160 (NOW: schools; English language learners) requires student scores on English Language Proficiency Assessments be entered into the Student Accountability Information System and allows for alternative models of English Language Learner Programs. ASBA supports and the bill passed 9-0, 1 member absent. SB 1184 (union high schools; additional grades) allows union high school districts to offer instruction in grades seven and eight and the companion bill SB 1185 (common school districts; grade nine) allows common school districts to offer instruction in grade nine. ASBA is neutral on both bills and each passed Committee 8-0 with 2 members absent. SB 1187 (school facilities board; vacant land) allows the School Facilities Board to require school districts to sell land purchased with monies provided by the SFB if the SFB determines that the property is no longer needed for a new school or an addition to an existing school within a 10 year period. ASBA supports and the bill passed 9-0, 1 absent. SB 1286 (schools; achievement profiles; letter grades) would include school districts into the current AZ Learns labeling system and change the current labels from excelling to failing to meet academic standards to A through F. Further, the bill states that 50% of the school and district classification must be on academic performance measurements and 50% must be on all student academic gain and 50% on the measurement of the lowest 25% of students making academic gain. ASBA opposes the change of labels, as there is now some consistency in these labels with 50% of elementary schools changing their student report cards to coincide with the school labels. There is also concern of administrative costs associated with any changes. ASBA supports district accountability, exploring multiple measures, and a focus on academic gains rather than straight test scores. The bill passed 5-4, 1 absent. Last, SB 1308 (NOW: schools; instruction; dating abuse) would allow the voluntary adoption of dating abuse policy and curriculum and requires district governing boards to review and consider its adoption at a public meeting by June 30, 2011 and requires a domestic violence organization to be notified at least two weeks prior to the meeting. ASBA opposes based on the required public hearing. The bill passed 9-0, 1 absent.

In Senate Committee of the Whole, SB 1097 (schools; data; noncitizen students) passed and requires the Arizona Department of Education to collect and report data on students enrolled in Arizona school districts who cannot demonstrate proof of legal U.S. residence; ASBA opposes. The Senate also third read bills this afternoon. SB 1274 (STOs; contribution date) extends the deadline to April 15th (currently, it’s December 31st for the taxable year) for individual STO contributions to be claimed. The bill passed 17-13; ASBA opposes.

In House Third Read,HB 2391 (ASRS; eight-five points) would increase the sum a member’s age and total years of service a person must reach to retire from 80 to 85 beginning with those persons who enter after July 1, 2011. ASBA supports and the bill passed 58-1, 1 not voting. HB 2733 (department of education; data collection) requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to enter into a third-party contract to administer all the data collection for the Arizona Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the State Board for Charter Schools, the School Facilities Board, the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, the Arizona Board of Regents, and community college districts in Arizona. ASBA is neutral and the bill passed 55-0, 5 not voting.

►March 25, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

Today, SB 1104 (NOW: general fund expenditures; limit) passed Senate Third Read on a 16-13 vote. This bill creates the maximum limit on state revenue expenditures to the preceding fiscal year, adjusted by population and inflation, for Fiscal Year 2012 and beyond. ASBA opposes.

The House was much more active on education bills. First, HB 2391 (ASRS; eight-five points) passed House COW without any floor amendments to increase the sum a member’s age and total years of service a person must reach to retire from 80 to 85 beginning with those persons who enter after July 1, 2011. HB 2382 (schools; student data collection) passed with a technical floor amendment to require school districts to submit data to the AZ Department of Education regarding students who are attending school and undocumented. Further, the bill requires ADE to submit a report each year with a variety of items, requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to withhold all state aid for noncompliance and the salary of any employee who fails to comply. ASBA opposes. HB 2128 (NOW: omnibus; JTEDs) passed with a floor amendment. This bill makes a number of changes to JTED statues, including financial provisions and program v. course definitions. HB 2733 (department of education; data collection) passed with a significant floor amendment. This bill requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to enter into a third-party contract to administer all the data collection for the Arizona Department of Education, the State Board of Education, the State Board for Charter Schools, the School Facilities Board, the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, the Arizona Board of Regents, and community college districts in Arizona. ASBA is neutral as we support this effort for a third-party hub as outlined in Arizona’s Race to the Top application and Data Quality Campaign efforts; however, are concerned that data security and financing isn’t compromised. HB 2395 (schools; payroll deductions; union dues) and HB 2235 (school personnel; employment information; investigations) were both retained.

Four bills were House Third Read. HB 2078 (schools; American competitiveness project fund) passed on a 48-7 vote. This bill expands the list of academic programs approved for schools to receive money from the American Competitiveness Project Fund to include programs emphasizing philosophy. ASBA supports. HB 2725 (education; omnibus) passed on a 51-5 vote. This is this year’s Administrative Reduction bill. ASBA supports. HB 2500 (noncustodial federal monies; legislative appropriation) passed on a 35-21 vote and would give the Legislature the authority to appropriate noncustodial federal monies. HCR 2057 (NOW: legislative appropriation; noncustodial federal monies) passed on a 34-21 vote and would put on the 2010 General Election Ballot the authorization to the Legislature to appropriate noncustodial federal monies.

Please note that Monday’s House Education Committee has been moved from a regular 2 p.m. start time to 10 a.m.

►March 24, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

This afternoon, the Senate Committee on Education Accountability and Reform met to consider what started as a somewhat lengthy agenda but was quickly shortened as 5 bills were held. HB 2127 (NOW: JTED; centralized campus; funding) limits the Average Daily Membership generated for students concurrently enrolled in a member district and Joint Technological District to 1.75 if the JTED course is provided at a community college or a facility owned and operated by the JTED. ASBA supports and the bill passed 7-0. HB 2587 (school districts; unification assistance) allows a new unified school district to budget for transitional costs the first year of unification and increase its RCL by 3% for the 2^nd and 3^rd years, which can only be used to equalize teacher salaries. ASBA supports and the bill passed 7-0. HB 2760 (SFB; preventative maintenance guidelines) requires school districts to develop a roof inspection protocol and specifies items to be included in school districts routine preventative maintenance guidelines. ASBA supports and the bill passed 7-0.

Over in the House, Representatives kept busy with a lengthy third read calendar. HB 2129 (NOW: Arizona online instruction; reform) clarifies the definitions of full-time and part-time students in AOI. ASBA supports and the bill passed 56-0 with 4 absent. HB 2281 (NOW: prohibited courses; discipline; schools) prohibits a school district or charter school from including courses or classes that either promote the overthrow of the United States government or promote resentment toward a race or class of people. ASBA opposes and the bill passed 33-23; 4 absent. HB 2287 (accommodation schools; levy limit recalculation) clarifies that an accommodation school is prohibited from levying property taxes and requires any property tax levied by a county in support of an accommodation school to count towards the county's primary levy. The bill passed 47-7; 6 absent. HB 2521 (NOW: schools; superintendent contracts; performance pay) requires 20% of a superintendent's salary and benefits to be for performance pay. ASBA supports and the bill passed 54-0; 6 absent. HB 2722 (NOW: schools; funding; nonresidents) prohibits school districts and charter schools from including nonresident pupils in student counts and obtaining state funding from nonresident pupils. ASBA is neutral and the bill passed 52-2; 6 not voting. Last, HB 2732 (schools; third grade retention) passed 54-0; 6 not voting. This bill establishes the Task Force on Reading Assessment to report by January 15th, 2011; requires that a student not be promoted from the 3rd grade if the student obtains a score on the reading portion of the AIMS test, or a successor test, that demonstrates that the student is reading far below the 3rd grade level; requires the State Board of Education to develop intervention and remedial strategies; and requires school districts to offer at least three of the intervention and remedial strategies developed by the SBE chosen by the parent or guardian of a student who is not promoted from the 3rd grade. ASBA is neutral, continuing to work with the sponsor in supporting the concept with concerns on the unfunded intervention mandates.

►March 23, 2010
Daily In-Session Update

This morning, the Governor's P-20 Council Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Task Force met to discuss the SLDS Grant application and the current status of the National Student Clearing House. The Clearing House looks to collect student data to provide information on what has contributed to a student's success at the postsecondary level. The project is focused on including community colleges in the data effort to ensure complete tracking of a student's progress. The Task Force then discussed the goals of P-20 Longitudinal Data Collection to ensure progress towards data-informed decision making: 1) Ensure the state system includes all 12 data elements oultined in federal law (i.e. teacher i.d., student i.d., transcripts, etc.); 2) Ensure the state provides teachers with AIMS data and reports of individual teacher impact on student achievement; 3) Ensure that the state provides student growth data to teachers in a timely manner and informs instructional programs.

This afternoon, the ELL Task Force met and focused the majority of their meeting on discussing pending legislation that affects the Task Force's 4-hour instructional model. HB 2357 (Schools; ELL models; exemption) allows schools and charters to be exempt from the requirements of the 4-hour model if the school can demonstrate that their ELL students are meeting or exceeding measurable achievement objectives. The Task Force expressed serious concern over this bill because they feels it removes from the Task Force the responsibility of approving alternative models. SB 1160 (English language learners) requires English language proficiency assessment scores to be entered into SAIS and also allows for alternative ELL models. The Task Force again expressed concern over the apparent disregard for the role of the Task Force in being responsible for ELL instruction in Arizona. The Task Force will meet again on May 13.

At the Legislature, the House and Senate spent the afternoon working on the Special Session budget bills. HB 2008 (K-12 education; budget reconciliation; 2010-2011) passed COW and third read in the House 33-26. The Senate heard the companion SB 1008 and then substituted HB 2008, which passed Senate third read 17-12. HCR 2001 (early childhood development; health; repeal) passed House COW as well.

Today, neither the House nor the Senate saw any action on the Special Session budget bills. These delays are believed to be because of a new agreement to no longer eliminate the Department of Juvenile Corrections, while providing for a county cost-sharing arrangement. The House is poised to COW the budget bills tomorrow at 11 a.m., while the Senate plans to hold Rules Committee and go to caucus at 9 a.m.

In other news, the draft, grade-by-grade common core standards were released today. They can be found at www.corestandards.org. Previously, draft conceptual items were released; however, not by grade. The 62-page English/Language Arts and 71-page Mathematics draft standards continue to demonstrate a nationwide commitment to universal standards for college and career readiness. Public input will be taken through April 2nd, with the final version being posted in late spring.

Last, the Struggling Schools Task Force of the Governor’s P-20 Council met today to receive an update on the Federal School Improvement Grant (SIG), Arizona’s definition of “persistently lowest-achieving schools,” and to discuss next steps. Arizona has submitted its application to the USDOE and is scheduled to hear feedback today as to approval. There are three tiers of “persistently lowest achieving schools.” Tier 1 includes any Title I school in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring that is among the lowest 5% of Title I schools in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring or is a high school that has not had a graduation rate of 60% or higher in any of the past three years. Of Arizona’s 306 schools (including traditional and charter) in school improvement, corrective action or restructuring; there are 15 schools that encompass the lowest-achieving 5% and 9 Title I high schools with less than 60% graduation rate.

Tier II includes any high school that is eligible for but did not receive Title I funds that is among the lowest-achieving 5% of high schools or has not have a graduation rate of 60% or more in any of the past years. Of the 86 secondary schools eligible for Title I funds, but do not receive funds; there are 5 schools among the lowest-achieving 5% and 1 high school with less than 60% graduation rate. Tier III schools are any Title I school in improvement, corrective action, or restructuring that is not a Tier I school. This includes 276 schools.

If Arizona receives SIG monies, schools will have to apply to the AZ Department of Education (ADE) who will determine who gets these dollars and how much, but a special focus will be on Tier I and II schools, who have all been notified of their status, and those that demonstrate sustainability. These are Title I formulaic to the State but WILL NOT be funded formulaic at the local level. Rather ADE will fund the school based on what is needed to implement with a federal requirement of a $50,000 minimum grant to a maximum of $2 million for those approved. Up to three years will be provided to expend these monies. Stay tuned for more information.

Today, both the Senate and House Appropriation Committees met in Special Session to discuss the various budget bills. Both started at 9:30 a.m., the House went seven hours straight and the Senate took a brief recess after over eight hours to finish floor work and reconvened to finally finish the agenda at 7:45 this evening. A long day to say the least. Of note for K-12 education, HB2008 (K-12 education; budget reconciliation; 2010-2011) passed the House Appropriations on an 8-5 vote without any amendments. In Senate Appropriations, SB1008 (K-12 education; budget reconciliation; 2010-2011.), passed on a 5-4 vote. Both bills contain the same provisions that were outlined in yesterday’s update.

Further, HCR2001 (early childhood development; health; repeal) passed House Appropriations Committee on a 7-5 vote, with one voting “present.” In Senate Appropriations Committee, SCR1001 (early childhood development; health; repeal.) passed on a 6-3 vote. Both bills contain the same provisions.

The House moved the budget bills through the Rules Committee and Caucus and will reconvene Special Session at 10:35 a.m tomorrow with two Committee of the Whole calendars posted. The Senate adjourned Special Session until 1:15 p.m. without any further action other than the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Today, the 7th Special Session of the 49th Legislature was called. Budget bills have been dropped and both the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will meet at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.

HB2008/SB1008 (K-12 education; budget reconciliation; 2010-2011) includes the following WITH the sales tax passing:
• 1.2% inflation factor only applied to the transportation support level (TSL) rather than across the board as required by Prop. 301
• Repeals full-day kindergarten; allows a district to charge tuition;
• $165 million cut to soft capital (leaves approximately $47 million);
• Continues to fund JTEDs at 91%;
• Limits Career Ladder funding to 5% and no new applicants for FY11;
• Continues the new school construction moratorium; and
• Suspends the Building Renewal formula.

The same bill includes the above and the following WITHOUT the passage of the sales tax (as a side note, both Sens. McCain and Kyl came out today against the sales tax measure):
• Suspends soft capital funding (additional $47 million);
• Suspends CORL ($248 million);
• $102 million, or approximately 2%, cut to the basic support level; and
• $31 million cut to charter school additional assistance.

ASBA opposes the inflation factor not being applied across the board and the repeal of full-day kindergarten. While ASBA does not support the other cuts, we have consistently stated that balancing this budget must be a combination of revenue enhancements and minimal cuts. ASBA is supporting the passage of Prop. 100, the sales tax referral, to do just that.

In addition, HCR2001/SCR1001 (early childhood development; health; repeal) repeals First Things First, sweeping the $324 million in reserve funds to the state general fund and redirect prospective tobacco tax monies for "health and human services for children." ASBA opposes.

In regular Session action, HB 2787 (school districts; financial receivership) passed House Third Read on a 51-6 vote. This bill implements “lessons learned” from our first financial receivership district that has now come out of receivership to allow substantial compliance with the district’s uniform system of financial records to suffice initial dismissal so as not to pay twice for a receiver and the district when major issues are addressed and to allow a receiver or the AZ Department of Education to request a district be removed from receivership (currently, only the receiver can request this). This is an ASBA bill. There were four K-12 bills on the various House Committee of the Whole calendars; however, three of the four were retained. The one that did move forward, HB 2731 (high schools; graduation; board examinations), which is commonly referred to as the “move on when ready” bill and creates the Grand Canyon Diploma to enable high school students to choose different educational pathways. ASBA supports the concept; however, more work must be done on the bill as it moves through the process.

In the Senate, SCR 1031 (public revenue expenditures; ballot measures) passed Senate Third Read on a 28-0 vote. This referendum would put on the 2010 General Election ballot a change to the Arizona Constitution to extend the requirement that an initiative or referendum provide for a revenue source for expenditures required of a political subdivision. ASBA supports.

We start off today with some sad news – Arizona was NOT one of the 15 states selected as finalists for Round I of Race to the Top grants. While it is a setback, it does provide us opportunity to put forward a more competitive application in Round II.

Budget talks continue, spreadsheets have been vetted in small groups, a number of tweaks have taken place, and we still await action. While rumors are that the House would have liked to call a special session this week, the Senate does not want to do so until 16 votes are committed. Look for next week for action.

In the Senate, they addressed three Committee of the Whole (COW) calendars, in which the first calendar had a slew of vehicle bills. It’s unclear whether these will be used for budget purposes or not. For K-12, SB 1160 (NOW: English language learners) passed with the Education Committee amendment as is ready for Senate Third Read. This bill allows for alternative English Language Learner programs and requires English language proficiency assessment scores to be entered into SAIS and made available to all districts and charter schools. ASBA supports.

The House had five COW calendars and one Third Read. HB 2282 (government transparency; political subdivisions) passed with a Rep. Montenegro floor amendment that would require school districts, along with other local governments, to establish and maintain an official website of receipts and expenditures over $5000 by January 1, 2013. ASBA had believed the amendment was worked out to make this searchable on ADE’s website; however, it wasn’t included in the amendment. ASBA opposes, but will continue to work with the sponsor to get the correct language included. HB 2720 (NOW: digital curriculum institute) passed with a Rep. Crandall amendment that would require ADE and ASU to establish a digital curriculum institute to evaluate online courses and curricula commercially available and not provided by a school district and to publish the evaluation results on a website. ASBA is neutral. Both bills are ready for Third Read.

There were three student tuition organization tax credits bill on the COW calendars today. First, a bit of good news, HB 2664 (STOs; tax credit requirements) passed COW. This bill modifies the requirements for the STOs that accept individual income tax credits and increases the credit from $500 to $750 per individual filer and $1000 to $1500 per joint filer. Now for the bit of good news, a Rep. Reagan amendment was adopted to remove the increases and leave them at the status quo. ASBA still opposes public dollars being used for private schools; however, the amendment takes away increasing a fundamentally flawed program. Unfortunately, Rep. Tovar’s amendment failed 22-33 on a roll call vote. It would have made these credits contingent upon a student whose family income does exceed 185% of the free and reduced lunch income limit and switched from a public school to a private school. HB 2663 (STOs; corporate tax credit requirements) passed with the Ways and Means Committee amendment to make a number of changes to the STOs that accept corporate income tax credits based on the recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee on Private School Tuition Tax Credit Review. ASBA opposed. Last, HB 2496 (school tuition credit; contribution date) passed with the Ways and Means Committee amendment. This bill would allow a taxpayer to take an individual or corporate income tax credit for donations made to an STO until April 15th to either the previous tax year or the current tax year. A fiscal note was done on this bill with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) estimating this would result in a $3.6 million decline in state revenues and that 670 students would have to switch from public schools to private for it to be a revenue neutral measure. ASBA opposed. All bills are ready for House Third Read.

Finally, there was only one bill affecting K-12 education that was on House Third Read. HB 2489 (bonding; net premiums) passed on a 46-9 vote. This bill increases the cap for premium bonds from 2% to 5%. ASBA supports.

Today, both the Senate and the House cancelled standing committees for next week to focus on the budget.

In the meantime, both the Senate and House had hefty third read calendars. In the Senate, SB 1120 (teacher student loan program; expansion) passed on a 28-0 vote. This bill makes changes to the Teacher Student Loan Program by expanding qualifying institutions to include private postsecondary institutions and places the Program under the supervision of the Commission on Postsecondary Education, rather than the Arizona Board of Regents. ASBA is neutral. SB 1263 (high schools; military recruiting; form) passed on a 23-5 vote. This bill requires the release of student directory information by school districts and charter schools to individuals and entities providing information relating to postsecondary opportunities to take place by October 31 each year and allows individuals wrongfully denied access to directory information to report the violation to the to the U.S. Department of Education. ASBA is neutral.

In the House, HB 2386 (school district override elections) passed on a 51-6 vote. This bill makes changes to current school district budget override statutes to complement the changes made during the 2009 Special Session. ASBA supports. HB 2587 (school districts; unification assistance) passed on a 60-0 vote. This bill allows a new unified school district to budget for transitional costs the first year of unification and increase its RCL by 3% for the 2nd and 3rd years, which can only be used to equalize teacher salaries. ASBA supports this effort to assist districts that voluntarily choose to unify and will work with the sponsor to provide more flexibility in the use of these additional monies.

Today, Representative Frank Antenori was selected on a 4-1 vote by the Pima County Supervisors to replace Senator Jonathan Paton in Legislative District 30.

In the Senate, there were three Committee of the Whole (COW) calendars and a caucus calendar. First, SB 1263 (high schools; military recruiting; form) passed COW without being amended and is ready for Senate Third Read. This bill requires the release of student directory information by school districts and charter schools to individuals and entities providing information relating to postsecondary opportunities to take place by October 31 each year and allows individuals wrongfully denied access to directory information to report the violation to the to the U.S. Department of Education. Also, SB 1120 (teacher student loan program; expansion) passed and is ready for Senate Third Read. This bill makes changes to the Teacher Student Loan Program by expanding qualifying institutions to include private postsecondary institutions and places the Program under the supervision of the Commission on Postsecondary Education, rather than the Arizona Board of Regents. ASBA is neutral on both bills.

The House also had three COW calendars, in which HB 2389 (ASRS; plan design; refunds), which makes numerous changes to the Arizona State Retirement System for those persons hired after July 1, 2011, passed with a Boone amendment on early retirement and is now ready for House Third Read.

Today, SB 1286 (schools; achievement profiles; letter grades) passed Senate Third Read on a 21-8 vote. This bill would include school districts into the current AZ Learns labeling system and change the current labels from excelling to failing to meet academic standards to A through F. Further, the bill states that 50% of the school and district classification must be on academic performance measurements and 50% must be on all student academic gain and 50% on the measurement of the lowest 25% of students making academic gain. ASBA opposes the change of labels, as there is now some consistency in these labels with 50% of elementary schools changing their student report cards to coincide with the school labels. There is also concern of administrative costs associated with any changes. ASBA supports district accountability, exploring multiple measures, and a focus on academic gains rather than straight test scores.

The House Rules Committee had a six-page agenda, which will mean heavy Committee of the Whole and Third Read calendars as the week progresses.

Last, we hear that there is a tentative agreement on the FY11 budget between the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker. While details have yet to be released, we understand concepts were being shopped this afternoon to rank and file members with an Appropriations hearing possible this week. We will keep you updated.