In 2016, the Arizona Legislature passed a bill known as the “menu option.” Public school boards could choose alternatives to the AzMERIT standardized test, instead opting for tests like the ACT or SAT.
But, this has put Arizona in the crosshairs of the U.S. Department of Education.
The feds say $340 million in school funding is at risk because Arizona is not following federal school regulations.
Now state school districts are in flux.
The Tucson Unified School District (TUSD ) opted to use the ACT, and Superintendent Gabriel Trujillo joined The Show to talk about what’s next for his schools.
The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) and the Arizona Board of Education also sent out a statement about this last week, which says, in part, “ADE received notification from U.S. Education Department that this waiver request was denied. Since that time, ADE and SBE officials have collaborated with education stakeholders throughout the state to communicate the effects this will have on schools, as well as to work toward solutions regarding the future of statewide assessments.”
The state Board of Education is set to meet later this month to discuss next steps.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The audio incorrectly states that TUSD opted to use the SAT. This is corrected in the written story.
