Arizona School Climate Policy

There is currently no policy on school climate in Arizona. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-341(A)(36)

Schools will have policies in place that prohibit students from harassing, intimidating, and bullying their peers. This applies when such behavior occurs on school grounds, on school property, on school buses, school bus stops, school-sponsored events, and activities through electronic technology or communications on school computer networks, forums, and mailing lists. This does not cover behavior that doesn’t occur off school property and networks, but it includes information on the consequences of bullying as well as how to address reports of such behaviors and the investigation of these reports.  

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/arizona

 Arizona Revised Statutes §15-2301-

Every school will post and enforce a prevention policy, which will be printed and distributed to every student and parent. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/02301.htm

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-341(A)(30)-

In addition to addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying this policy addresses any incident that involves a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, serious physical injury, and behavior that poses a threat of death or serious physical injury to anyone that’s on school property.

https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-15-education/az-rev-st-sect-15-341.html

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-115–

A peace officer will be assigned to each school in the county, but only after the school gives its consent.

https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-15-education/az-rev-st-sect-15-155.html

Who does this protect? Anyone that’s on school property (i.e. parents, students, etc.)

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Suicide

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1656.

Suicide prevention training:

https://casetext.com/statute/arizona-revised-statutes/title-15-education/chapter-13-universities-and-related-institutions/article-3-teacher-training-schools/section-15-1656-suicide-prevention-training-programs-requirements#:~:text=%C2%A7%2015%2D1656,-Download&text=Each%20teacher%2C%20school%20counselor%20or,in%20the%20respective%20training%20program.

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-218.

Suicide awareness and prevention training; child abuse and sexual abuse prevention and training; continuing education.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00218.htm

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-120.

Suicide prevention training; approved materials; posting; immunity; spending classification.

https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00120.htm

Dating Violence

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-342.02.

Schools may develop and enforce policies to address dating violence and abuse involving students at school.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00342-02.htm

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-712.01.

Schools may incorporate dating abuse information into their existing health curriculum for students in grades 7 to 12.  Parents who write to the principal will be permitted to view the dating abuse information. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00712-01.htm

SEL/ Character Development

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-719.

Schools may provide instruction on character development to grades K-12 and if they do, it must include at least 6 of the following character traits truthfulness, responsibility, compassion, diligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, respect, attentiveness, obedience, orderliness, forgiveness, virtue, fairness, caring, citizenship and integrity. Parents can choose not to let their children participate. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00719.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-341(A)(36)(i)-

Procedures are designed to protect the health and safety of pupils who are physically harmed as the result of incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including, if appropriate, procedures to contact emergency medical services or law enforcement agencies, or both.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00341.htm

Who does this protect? Students in grade 7 through 12

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

SEL/ Character Development

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-719.

Schools may provide instruction on character development to grades K-12, and if they do, it must include at least six of the following character traits truthfulness, responsibility, compassion, diligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, respect, attentiveness, obedience, orderliness, forgiveness, virtue, fairness, caring, citizenship and integrity.

• Parents can choose not to let their children participate. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00719.htm

 Reengagement plans for suspended students 

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-841(E)-

As an alternative to suspension or expulsion, the school district may reassign any pupil to an alternative education program if the pupil does not meet the requirements for participation in the alternative to suspension program prescribed in subsection H of this section and if good cause exists for expulsion or a long-term suspension. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00841.htm

 Supporting learning through community service:

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-203(31)–

Adopt guidelines for students from 9th to 12th grade to volunteer for 20 hours of community service before graduating high school. Community service may also include service learning. The guidelines that will be created should include certain points.    

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00203.htm

Dyslexia and reading impairment

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-219.

Dyslexia and reading impairment screening, intervention, accommodation, and technology; continuing education; rules; training.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00219.htm

Who does this protect? Students, Students reading impairments

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Supporting learning through community service

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-203(31)–

Adopt guidelines for students from 9th to 12th grade to volunteer for 20 hours of community service before:

• Graduating high school. Community service may also include service learning. The guidelines that will be created should include certain points.    

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00203.htm

 Partnerships 

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1141.

Has the definitions of the terms, community schools, community school monies, and community school program.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/01141.htm 

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1142.

 Governing board of any school district may establish and operate a community school program in any of its school districts.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/01142.htm

Who does this protect? 9th grade to 12th grade, all students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-843 (L)–

Rules about the discipline, suspension, and expulsion of pupils shall not be based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or ancestry. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00843.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-205.

Education of Indians in state schools; contracts with the department of the interior.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00205.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-347-

The cultural traditions of students should be taken into consideration when establishing or enforcing rules related to a pupil’s participation in extracurricular school activities. Cannot prohibit a student from wearing a religious or cultural accessory or hairpiece while participating in an extracurricular or athletic activity if the accessory or hairpiece unless it’s a health and safety risk. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00347.htm

Who does this protect? Students with historically marginalized identities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1656.

Suicide prevention training; requirements

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/01656.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-218.

Suicide awareness and prevention training; child abuse and sexual abuse prevention and training; continuing education.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00218.htm

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Dating Violence

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-342.02.

May develop and enforce policies to address dating violence and abuse involving students at school.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00342-02.htm

• Arizona Revised Statutes 15-712.01.

Schools may incorporate dating abuse information into their existing health curriculum for students in grades 7 to 12. Parents who write to the principal will be permitted to view the dating abuse information. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https%3A//www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00712-01.htm

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

SEL/ Character development

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-719.

Schools may provide instruction on character development to grades K-12 and if they do, it must include at least  six of the following character traits truthfulness, responsibility, compassion, diligence, sincerity, trustworthiness, respect, attentiveness, obedience, orderliness, forgiveness, virtue, fairness, caring, citizenship and integrity. Parents can choose not to let their children participate. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00719.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-843(B)–

The governing board of any school district, in consultation with the teachers and parents of the school district, shall prescribe rules for the discipline, suspension, and expulsion of pupils.

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00843.htm

Arizona Revised Statutes 15-102(A)-

The governing board, in consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators, shall develop and adopt a policy to promote the involvement of parents and guardians of children enrolled in the schools within the school district. 

https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/15/00102.htm

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-341(A)(30)-

In addition to addressing harassment, intimidation, and bullying, this policy addresses any incident involving a deadly weapon, dangerous instrument, serious physical injury, and behavior that poses a threat of death or serious physical injury to anyone on school property. 

https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-15-education/az-rev-st-sect-15-341.html

Arizona Revised Statutes §15-115–

A peace officer will be assigned to each school in the county, but only after the school gives its consent.

https://codes.findlaw.com/az/title-15-education/az-rev-st-sect-15-155.html

Who does this protect? Anyone that is on school property (i.e. parents, students, etc.)

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is no current policy surrounding social inclusion in the state of Arizona. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 15, chapter 2, article 2, adding section 15-249.17

• On January 15, 2022 department of education shall identify best practices and make recommendations for instruction is digital citizenship and media literacy. Department will make available to school districts resources, instructional materials and professional development programs on media literacy.

• A Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Advisory Committee and members will be made up of school superintendents, experts in digital citizenship, experts in media literacy, school librarians, parents, teachers, and administrators

https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/1r/bills/sb1705p.pdf

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Arizona. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Arizona. For more information on school climate please visit us at Services – National School