SB 1454 Summary

• Amends Arizona education law to establish a dual enrollment incentive program alongside the existing college credit by examination program, effective fiscal year 2021-2022.

• Requires community college district governing boards to maintain and annually provide the Department of Education with lists of qualifying dual enrollment courses in mathematics, English language arts, social studies, and science, along with passing grades required for college credit.

• Provides $450 per student bonus to schools where 50% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches for students completing qualifying dual enrollment courses with passing grades (no bonus for schools below 50% threshold).

• Requires school districts and charter schools to distribute at least 50% of bonus monies to classroom teachers whose students earned passing grades or scores, with remaining funds allocated for professional development, student support, or exam fee reimbursement.

• Sunsets the dual enrollment and college credit by examination incentive program on July 1, 2026.