AZ SB1449

Amends Arizona law to require the department of education to obtain joint legislative budget committee review before renewing or establishing any contract for the statewide assessment adopted under section 15-741.

Allows local education agencies to select alternative achievement assessments from a state board-approved menu beginning in the 2018-2019 school year for grades 9-12 and 2019-2020 school year for grades 3-8, instead of administering the state-mandated assessment.

Requires alternative assessments on the menu to be nationally recognized, college credit examinations, or meet specific quality standards including demonstrated rigor comparable to state academic standards and ability to be scaled for state accountability programs.

Directs the state board of education to issue a request for proposals by September 1, 2018 to contract with assessment providers to develop and maintain the menu of alternative assessments for grades 3-8 and high school.

Provides reimbursement to local education agencies in fiscal year 2018-2019 that administer menu assessments to grades 9-12, with payments proportional per pupil from appropriated funds or savings from reduced statewide assessment administration.