AZ SB1317

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes Section 15-763 to allow specially designed instruction for students with disabilities to be delivered by general education teachers or other certificated personnel, provided special education personnel are involved in planning, progress monitoring, and delivery of instruction.

Students receiving special education are not required to pass statewide assessments or civics naturalization tests to graduate unless the student is learning at grade-level in that area and a passing score is specified in the student's individualized education program (IEP).

State Board of Education must adopt new rules by November 15, 2017 that clarify administration of specially designed instruction, streamline special education processes, reduce administrative burdens, and affirm the role of local IEP teams.

Requires state board rules to be consistent with and not more restrictive than the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, and extends special education service eligibility to homeschooled pupils.

Establishes legislative intent that the changes provide parents more choices, promote least restrictive education environments, enhance collaboration between general and special education personnel, and improve student achievement while maintaining that only qualified, prepared, and trained individuals provide special education services.