AZ SB1444

Amends high school graduation requirements to include "American civics education" alongside personal finance in social studies academic standards.

Requires students to pass a test identical to the civics portion of the U.S. citizenship and immigration services naturalization test (minimum 60 of 100 questions correct) to graduate from high school or obtain a high school equivalency diploma, beginning in the 2016-2017 school year.

Establishes a five-year American civics education pilot program beginning in the 2019-2020 school year for grades 9-12 in selected school districts and charter schools, with participating schools exempt from the naturalization test requirement and instead administering a more rigorous civics assessment.

Appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2019-2020 to fund the pilot program, with up to $50,000 retained for administration and the remainder distributed to participating schools for course instruction and assessment costs.

Repeals the pilot program effective December 31, 2024.