alternative schools; continuous operations; requirements
SB 1026 streamlines operations for Arizona's alternative education programs and schools serving students in grades 6-12 who cannot thrive in regular classrooms. It allows these programs to schedule instruction any day of the week, enroll students using electronic withdrawal verification (instead of physical forms), and continue funding for students incorrectly coded as graduates in the state database. The bill also eliminates unnecessary recertification requirements for existing programs while requiring new program applications and closure notices. These changes directly affect school districts, alternative program providers, and students needing specialized educational settings.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2025
Committee Review
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Dec 11, 2025
Last action Mar 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced Version
→
Senate Engrossed Version (02/25/2026)
·
4 edits
·
Feb 25, 2026
MODERATE
The bill was reformatted from an introduced draft to a Senate engrossed version, correcting the statute title to include 'eligibility' and 'appeal' and adding a new requirement for schools to demonstrate that at least 70% of their students are in grades six through twelve. It also clarifies that schools operating in good standing do not need to recertify more than once every five years and establishes a formal appeal process if a school fails the new enrollment criteria.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's applicability was expanded by adding 'eligibility' and 'appeal' to the official statute title, reflecting new procedural requirements for schools.
REQUIREMENT
Added a new requirement that alternative schools must demonstrate at least 70% of enrolled students are in grades six through twelve and unable to profit from regular schooling.
ENFORCEMENT
Established a mechanism where the Department of Education can notify schools of ineligibility if they fail the 70% requirement, with an option for the school to appeal to the State Board of Education.
TIMELINE
Clarified that schools operating in good standing are exempt from recertification or reapplication more than once every five years.
TECHNICAL
Corrected the statute title and formatting to reflect the new eligibility and appeal provisions.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 25, 2026
How they voted
26–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 30
Feb 25, 2026
D
Democratic13
76% Yea
R
Republican17
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
3
Committee
0
Amendments
2
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
Jan 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
DPA
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Dave Farnsworth
RRepublican
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