SB 1457 Summary

• Repeals and replaces existing school turnaround law (section 15-241.01 ARS) to establish new procedures for implementing school improvement plans in underperforming districts.

• Triggers turnaround plan process when at least half of a district's schools receive D or F grades, or when any school receives an F grade and has been D or F for two of the last three years.

• Authorizes the state board of education to appoint a governmental, nonprofit, or private organization to manage turnaround plans with broad powers including overriding board decisions, hiring/firing staff, converting schools to charters, and supervising district operations.

• Requires appointed turnaround organizations to submit detailed improvement plans within 120 days, with timelines for academic improvement and transition of authority back to the school district.

• Mandates turnaround plans demonstrate positive student-teacher relationships, focus on results, use formative evaluations, deliver effective lessons with targeted intervention, and build collaborative instructional expertise.