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Read. Follow. Verify.Arizona proposes referral on English language education requirements and structured immersion models in public schools
Last action · January 26, 2026: House Second ReadingSponsors: Mariana Sandoval and 15 others
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What This Bill Proposed
This concurrent resolution refers a measure to Arizona voters at the next general election that establishes new education requirements and standards for English language learners in public schools, including mandated instructional time and parental legal standing. The measure directs public schools to ensure English language learners master English and provides frameworks for structured immersion and dual-language immersion programs.
If approved by voters, parents gain the explicit right to sue public schools for enforcement of English language learner program standards and recover actual damages and attorney fees, while school districts face updated guidelines for and dual-language programs.
- Arizona public schools operate under specific structured English immersion requirements governed by state statutes and the State Board of Education. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
English language learners
Pupils identified as non-English proficient must be enrolled in structured or alternative English instruction programs and are provided mandated instructional time.
Parents and legal guardians
Parents gain legal standing to sue for enforcement of educational standards for English language learners and may recover attorney fees and compensatory damages.
School districts and charter schools
Schools must identify home languages, administer proficiency assessments, and implement approved structured English immersion or dual-language programs.
Key Facts
- Repeals sections 15-752, 15-753, 15-754, and 15-755 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.
- Requires school districts and charter schools to identify the primary or home language of all new pupils.
- Mandates that public schools ensure English language learners receive quality education, master English, and access research-based language programs.
- Grants parents or legal guardians legal standing to sue for enforcement of English language learner program standards, including recovery of actual and compensatory damages and attorney fees.
Show all 8 facts
- Requires the State Board of Education to adopt research-based and evidence-based structured English immersion models with minimum daily durations of 120 minutes for kindergarten through grade five, and 100 minutes for grades six through twelve.
- Permits school districts and charter schools to establish dual-language immersion programs for both native and nonnative English speakers.
- Requires the measure to be submitted to voters at the next general election for approval.
- Directs the Department of Education to annually request an appropriation to cover the purchase of language proficiency assessments and scoring materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a student is determined not to be English language proficient?
Can parents take legal action if schools fail to meet English language learner standards?
What are the minimum daily instructional time requirements for structured English immersion?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · on the House floor.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 26, 2026HouseFloorHouse Second Reading
- Jan 22, 2026HouseIntroducedHouse First Reading
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Show 11 more sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of Parent Enforcement Rights
The measure introduces a provision granting parents legal standing to sue for enforcement of English language learner educational standards with potential recovery of actual damages and attorney fees.
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.azleg.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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