SB 1028 Arizona Senate · 57th Legislature - First Regular Session

high school graduation; requirements

Arizona's SB 1028 would have required high school students to pass a U.S. citizenship civics test (60/100 questions for 2025 graduates, 70/100 for 2026+) to graduate, alongside mandated social studies content including personal finance, American civics, and comparative political ideologies. The bill also required districts to offer preparation for this test and provided exemptions for students with career technical certifications or individualized education plans (IEPs). It aimed to standardize graduation requirements through state-prescribed academic standards and competency tests. The bill failed in the legislature on March 10, 2025, and did not become law.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2024

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Dec 17, 2024 Last action Mar 10, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced Version → Senate Engrossed Version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Arizona's high school graduation requirements by adding civics testing based on the naturalization test, allowing computer science courses to count as math credits, and clarifying rules for online instruction and credit transfers. The changes expand graduation options while maintaining core academic standards and adding transparency requirements for civics test performance.

Scope change

The bill applies to all Arizona high schools, charter schools, and online instruction programs, with specific provisions for students transferring from private schools and those with individualized education programs.

REQUIREMENT

Added civics testing requirement where students must pass a test identical to the naturalization civics test (60 questions by 2025, 70 questions by 2026) to graduate, with retake opportunities allowed.

Added provision allowing rigorous computer science courses with significant math content to count toward mathematics graduation requirements.

Modified credit transfer rules to clarify that districts must accept credits from private schools and charter schools, with exam options for denied credits.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirement for school districts to report civics test performance data (median scores, pass rates) publicly on school report cards.

DEFINITION

Modified Arizona online instruction definitions and funding calculations, clarifying full-time and part-time student classifications and attendance calculations.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Grand Canyon diploma as an exemption from standard graduation requirements while maintaining equal access to postsecondary opportunities.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors