State Board of Education

Revision Date: 
Sunday, September 26, 2021

Agency Contact Information

Arizona State Board of Education

Authority

The Board, initially created by territorial law, was established by the Arizona Constitution in 1912 (See Article 11, Section 3).  At statehood, statutory authority for the Board was enacted by Laws 1912, Chapter 77.  Current statutory authority is found at A.R.S. §§15-201 et seq. Administrative rules are found at A.A.C. §§R7-2-101 et seq.

Function

The Arizona K-12 public education system consists of the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). ADE operates under the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to execute the policies set by the State Board of Education.   

The Arizona Constitution establishes the State Board and outlines its composition. Originally made up of eight members, the State Board currently consists of eleven members: six educational professionals, four lay members, and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Governor appoints all members except for the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Members serve four-year terms.  The State Board exercises general supervision over and regulates the conduct of the public school system.  Additional responsibilities include establishing policies, prescribing a minimum course of study and competency requirements, certifying school district personnel, developing proficiency exams, gathering data on pupil performance, and composing reports.

History

The Constitution provides for a public school system which includes kindergarten, common schools, high schools, normal schools, industrial schools and universities.  It also requires the Legislature to provide for the education and care of pupils who are hearing and vision impaired. Arizona Constitution, Article 11, §1.

The Constitution vests responsibility for the general conduct and supervision of the public school system with the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, county school superintendents, and other governing boards as provided by law. Arizona Constitution, Article 11, §2. Arizona Constitution, Article 11 §3 prescribes the composition of the State Board of Education.

Laws 1912, Chapter 77 was a broad measure, providing for the overall establishment and maintenance of a general and uniform public school system.  It established the State Board of Education and outlined its powers and duties which included record-keeping requirements, adoption of rules to govern public schools and school libraries, management of the State School Fund, development of a course of study and adoption of a uniform series of textbooks for public schools, and the authority to issue and revoke life certificates for teaching.  The measure also established the State Board of Examiners, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and County School Superintendents.  In addition, the measure outlined requirements regarding elections, bonding, high schools, attendance requirements, teachers, school libraries, taxes, textbooks, school holidays, and display of the U.S. flag.

Since statehood, certain issues have been the subject of multiple legislative enactments.  Those are outlined by topic, listed in chronological order.

Fees

Laws 1953, Chapter 49 authorized the State Board to charge fees to issue or renew teacher’s certificates.  Fees ranged from one dollar to four dollars. Examples of some of the changes are found in Laws 1981, Chapter 105; and Laws 1989, Chapter 237.

Textbooks

State Board responsibilities regarding selection of textbooks were modified many times over the years and eliminated in 1996. Key changes were made by Laws 1960, Chapter 120; Laws 1966, Chapter 80; Laws 1976, Chapter 156; and Laws 1996, Chapter 284.

Bidding and contracts

Laws 1977, Chapter 155 required the State Board to adopt rules prescribing uniform and competitive bidding, contracting and purchasing practices for all school districts. Subsequent enactments also addressed contracts and bidding procedures. See for example, Laws 1979, Chapter 37; Laws 1980, Chapter 170; and Laws 1996, Chapter 284.

Vocational education

In 1979, the State Board was authorized to purchase and distribute materials for vocational education programs, to provide insurance for vocational education students, and to provide vocational education services to school districts, including in-service vocational teacher education. In 1981 the Board was authorized to prescribe program and staff standards for vocational education programs. In 1982, the State Board was directed to work in conjunction with the State Board of Directors for Community Colleges to coordinate vocational and technical education programs offered under their respective jurisdictions.  The measure required state plans, tracking and reporting mechanisms, guidelines to address transferability between programs and a process to determine program funding priorities for state aid purposes. The measure also modified membership of the State Board, adding a high school vocational education teacher, a president of a community college or community college district, and five representatives of business and industry.  The number of lay members was reduced from three to two and the requirement to include a superintendent of a high school district was changed to allow a superintendent from any school district. See Laws 1979, Chapters 90 and 118; 1981, Chapter 1; and Laws 1982, Chapter 332.

In 1990, State Board responsibilities related to vocational and technical education programs were transferred to the new State Board for Vocational and Technological Education. See Laws 1990, Chapter 402. In 1999 the sunset continuation bill for the State Board for Vocational and Technological Education was not enacted, and it was repealed. Legislation enacted the following year designated the State Board as the entity that would assume the responsibilities of the vocational board for purposes of meeting federal law. See Laws 2000, Chapter 97.

Career Ladders

Laws 1984, Chapter 346 outlined a process to provide financial assistance to selected school districts to develop a career ladder plan for teachers.  A career ladder plan was described as a system designed to provide teachers with opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.  See Purpose and Legislative intent sections.  The measure prescribed specific State Board responsibilities with respect to developing the plan, required the State Board to reserve a portion of federal monies appropriated under the Education Consolidations and Improvement Act of 1981 (federal block grant monies) and appropriated $100,000 from the state general fund to the State Board.  The measure required a reimbursement for the state appropriation.

In 1985, the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Career Ladders was established and required school districts to obtain Committee approval to budget for career ladder programs. The Center for Excellence in Education was required to conduct a study of the career ladder programs implemented by school districts.  A report on whether to continue budgeting for career ladder programs was required to be submitted to the Committee by October 1, 1989.  See Laws 1985, Chapter 177. 

Other issues follow, listed in chronological order:

Laws 1921, Chapter 134 modified the powers and duties of the State Board and repealed the State Board of Examiners and requirements related to certification of teachers.

A second measure adopted that year required the State Board to adopt rules and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish classes for immigrant and adult elementary education, to teach English to foreigners, and to stimulate the Americanization work of various agencies throughout the state.  See Laws 1921, Chapter 140.  “Americanization” was an effort in the early 20th century to help immigrants settle and assimilate into the American culture. 

Laws 1925, Chapter 69 required the State Board to secure an annual census of school children between the ages of 5 and 21 by submitting forms to be distributed to clerks of the board of trustees by the county school superintendents.

Laws 1972, Chapter 168 required the State Board to establish a uniform evaluation system for student achievement and to develop alternate learning procedures to help students attain their individual learning expectancy levels for reading, writing and computation skills.

Laws 1976, Chapter 165 authorized the State Board to adopt rules concerning special education.

Laws 1980, Second Special Session, Chapter 9 was an extensive measure addressing education finance.  The measure also modified State Board powers and duties, requiring the Board to adopt rules to ensure that enrollment is determined by all school districts on a uniform basis; and submit, to the Economic Estimates Commission, an annual estimate of the statewide number of students based on average daily membership and average daily attendance.

Laws 1982, Chapter 169 required the State Board to adopt certain tests in order to determine special education assistance for gifted students.

Laws 1983, Chapter 325 expanded the authority for the State Board to establish courses of study, competency requirements and criteria for promotion and graduation of students from private schools, as well as common schools.  The measure applied to promotion and graduation from eighth grade and high school.

Laws 1985, Chapter 166 addressed a number of issues related to budgeting and financial assistance for schools.  A lengthy measure, it also included a provision that required the State Board to prescribe minimum competency requirements for a student to be promoted from the third grade.

Laws 1987, Chapter 201 required the State Board to conduct several school finance studies and established due dates of November 1, 1987, for two of the studies and November 1, 1988 for two other studies.  The State Board was authorized to either conduct the studies on its own or to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Arizona Board of Regents.  The studies were to be submitted to the Legislature.

Legislation enacted in 1987 and subsequently amended in 1989 allowed the State Board to dispose of a complaint or a disciplinary action against a teacher, speech therapist, principal or superintendent in a school district, school district preschool program or other educational institution below the community college or university level. See Laws 1987, Chapter 220 and Laws 1989, Chapter 237. 

Laws 1990, Chapter 340 required the State Board to establish specific program standards for visually handicapped students.

Laws 1991, Chapter 292 required the State Board to adopt rules governing interscholastic athletic competition and methods to address decisions related to forfeiture or disqualification.

Laws 1995, Chapter 108 required the State Board to review the time frame for a teacher to improve their performance after receiving a preliminary notice of inadequacy of classroom performance.  The concept was modified by Laws 1998, Chapter 169.

Laws 1996, Chapter 284 was an omnibus measure that deleted State Board responsibilities related to proper enforcement of school laws; selection of textbooks, supplementary books and instructional computer software; assisting the auditor general prescribe a uniform system of records and accounting; decisions involving forfeiture of and disqualification from interscholastic athletic contests; and adoption of rules concerning special education.  The measure authorized the Board to adopt rules for a simplified construction procurement program.  Finally, the measure established the 15-member Advisory Committee for Alternative Schools to provide advice to the State Board.  A report containing findings and recommendations regarding alternative education programs, funding sources, mechanisms and student count was due by September 30, 1997.  

Laws 1997, Chapter 137 required the State Board to promote braille literacy and adopt rules to assure that blind pupils receive a literacy assessment and appropriate individualized educational services.  The rules were also required to address standards of proficiency, instruction, and the need to provide materials in a computer accessible format.  Braille instruction was not exclusively required if other special education services were appropriate for the student.  The measure included an intent clause.

Laws 2000, Chapter 97 revised the responsibilities of the State Board regarding proficiency exams, disciplinary actions and year-round schools. 

A second measure enacted in 2000 required the State Board to develop and publish a handbook for use in Arizona public schools to provide guidance for teaching moral, civic and ethical values.  The measure also required students in grades four through six to recite a passage from the U.S. Declaration of Independence. See Laws 2000, Chapter 257.

A third measure enacted in 2000 required the State Board to adopt rules, no later than July 1, 2000, providing for teacher certification reciprocity. See Laws 2000, Chapter 271.  

Laws 2003, Chapter 160 required the State Board to adopt guidelines to encourage high school students to volunteer for 20 hours of community service.  

Laws 2010, Chapter 49 modified State Board responsibilities with regard to alternative teacher and administrator preparation programs.  A second measure enacted that year required the State Board to adopt a model framework for performance evaluation instruments for teachers and principals.   Those provisions were amended in 2012 and deleted in 2019. See Laws 2010, Chapter 297; Laws 2012, Chapter 259; and Laws 2019, Chapter 191.

Laws 2012, Chapter 26 required the State Board to provide a specialized certificate for teachers with expertise in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The measure outlined eligibility requirements to obtain the specialized certificate. A second measure enacted in 2012 required the State Board to adopt rules to define competency-based educational pathways for college and career readiness that may be used by schools. A third measure enacted in 2012 allowed the State Board to exempt persons from a portion of the proficiency examination if the person has work experience and relevant coursework or a postsecondary education degree. See Laws 2012, Chapter 149, and Chapter 165.

Laws 2013, Chapter 105 required the State Board, in consultation with the Department of Education and State Board for Charter Schools, to implement a simulated pilot program for outcome-based funding of schools. Additional language outlined an application and selection process. A second measure enacted in 2013 required the State Board to adopt rules outlining training and procedures for school personnel to administer auto-injectable epinephrine in an emergency situation. Similar legislation was enacted in 2017 regarding emergency administration of inhalers.  See Laws 2013, Chapter 243 and Laws 2017, Chapter 58.

Laws 2016, Chapter 138 modified the membership of the State Board, adding a fourth lay member and a person who is an owner or operator of a charter school.  The measure also differentiated certain powers and duties of the State Board and the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) relating to hiring staff, jurisdiction and supervision of employees and execution of policies.

Laws 2017, Chapter 245 modified teacher certification requirements, outlined requirements to receive a Subject Matter Expert Standard Teaching Certificate, modified requirements related to alternative teacher and administrator preparation programs, and required the State Board to revise relevant rules.

Laws 2018, Chapter 315 transferred teacher certification provisions to a new article in the statute.  The State Board retained oversight and rulemaking authority for certification of teachers.

The authority to conduct investigations of certified and non-certified school personnel for unprofessional or immoral conduct is transferred from the Department of Education to the State Board.  Investigative authority applies to persons seeking certification as well.  See Laws 2021, Chapter 2 and Chapter 404. (Note: A.R.S. §15-342.05 was amended by Chapter 2 and was further amended by Chapter 404.)

Sources

  • Arizona Constitution Article 11, Sections 1-3
  • Revised Statutes of Arizona 1887, Title 20, Chapter 1, Paragraphs 1473-1480
  • Revised Statutes of Arizona Territory 1901, Title 19, Chapter 1
  • Civil Code 1913, Section 2694 et seq.
  • Revised Code 1928, Sections 988 et seq.
  • Arizona Code Annotated 1939, Section 54-101 et seq.
  • Arizona Code Annotated 1939, Revised 1953, Section 54-102
  • Arizona Revised Statutes §§15-201 et seq.
  • Arizona Administrative Code §§R7-2-101 et seq.
  • Session Laws
    • Laws 1912, Chapter 77
    • Laws 1921, Chapter 134 and Chapter 140
    • Laws 1925, Chapter 69
    • Laws 1953, Chapter 49
    • Laws 1960, Chapter 120
    • Laws 1966, Chapter 80
    • Laws 1972, Chapter 168
    • Laws 1976, Chapter 156 and Chapter 165
    • Laws 1977, Chapter 155
    • Laws 1979, Chapter 37, Chapter 90 and Chapter 118
    • Laws 1980, Chapter 170
    • Laws 1980, 2nd Special Session, Chapter 9
    • Laws 1981,  Chapter 1 and Chapter 105
    • Laws  1982, Chapter 169 and Chapter 332
    • Laws 1983, Chapter 325
    • Laws  1984, Chapter 346
    • Laws 1985, Chapter 166 and Chapter 177
    • Laws 1987, Chapter 201 and Chapter 220
    • Laws 1989, Chapter 237
    • Laws 1990, Chapter 340 and Chapter 402
    • Laws 1991, Chapter 292
    • Laws 1994, Chapter 165
    • Laws 1995, Chapter 108
    • Laws 1996, Chapter 284
    • Laws 1997, Chapter 137
    • Laws 1998, Chapter 169
    • Laws 2000, Chapter 97, Chapter 257 and Chapter 271
    • Laws 2003, Chapter 160
    • Laws 2010, Chapter 49 and Chapter 297
    • Laws 2012, Chapter 26, Chapter 149, Chapter 165, and Chapter 259
    • Laws 2013, Chapter 105 and Chapter 243
    • Laws 2016, Chapter 138
    • Laws 2017, Chapter 58 and Chapter 245
    • Laws 2018, Chapter 315
    • Laws 2019, Chapter 191
    • Laws 2021, Chapter 2 and Chapter 404

Related Collections at Arizona State Archives

  • Record Group 005 – Department of Education, 1883-2016