Ducey signs legislation on rest of school year

Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation that allows Arizona students to finish the school year from home, if the state’s schools stay closed that long.

Ducey had ordered schools closed until at least April 10. However, districts and charter schools are beginning to prepare for school closures that span the rest of the school year. Arizona’s school year typically ends in late May.

“Our students can’t afford to lose the last quarter of the school year,” Michelle

Udall, R-Mesa, said in a news release. “We trust our educators and school leaders to do everything in their power to ensure students have stability and the opportunity to continue to learn during this challenging time.”

Udall proposed the legislation, along with Sen. Sylvia Allen, R-Snowflake.

The plan mandates schools offer classes in an alternative format, presumably online, so students could finish out the school year from home.

Some districts have already begun posting online material, and teachers are reaching out to parents and students with work.

Other measures outlined in the new law:

❚ “Provide flexibility” to schools in delivering education to special education students.

❚ Allow public schools to continue to pay employees if they agree to work from home or take a reassignment, if necessary.

❚ Allow schools to use funding from this school year for summer school.

❚ Require the State Board of Education to revise graduation requirements for the 2019-20 school year.