Bill
SB 1133
Arizona SB 1133 requires a comparative discussion of political ideologies in social studies and raises civics competency test thresholds for graduation.
Note: The provided documents contain multiple different bills that share the number “SB 1133” in different states (Arizona, Hawaii, Illinois) and several amended drafts. This summary focuses on the primary Arizona bill text included in the materials (amending Arizona Revised Statutes §15‑701.01 and adding §15‑701.05) and then briefly notes other distinct SB 1133 variants found in the packet.
Status (per header): Introduced Feb 6, 2025; Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments. (See “Procedural notes” below for conflicting action records.)
Purpose
- To modify high school graduation curriculum and competency requirements for social studies by (a) explicitly requiring instruction that includes a comparative discussion of political ideologies (example: communism and totalitarianism) that “conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy” and (b) strengthening civics competency testing tied to graduation.
Key provisions
- Social studies standards: State Board must include personal finance, American civics education, and a comparative discussion of political ideologies (for example, communism and totalitarianism) that conflict with founding U.S. principles.
- Economics credit: State Board must require at least 0.5 course credit in economics, including financial literacy and personal financial management. The Board may consider a separate required personal finance course.
- Civics competency test:
- Through the graduating class of 2025: students must correctly answer at least 60 of the 100 questions on a test identical to the U.S. naturalization civics test to graduate or obtain an equivalency diploma.
- Beginning with the graduating class of 2026: the passing threshold rises to 70 out of 100.
- A district or charter school records only a pass/fail on transcripts for this test.
- Students in grades 7 or 8 may take the test; if they score 70 or more, that result is recorded as pass/fail and they are exempt from retaking it in high school.
- Schools may determine administration method and must allow retakes until a passing score is achieved.
- Other items retained/clarified: state/district authority on curricula, allowance for rigorous computer science to substitute for math under defined conditions, rules on awarding community‑college/university credits toward graduation.
Who is affected
- State Board of Education (must adopt the modified standards and tests).
- School districts and charter schools (curriculum, testing administration, transcript reporting).
- Students (new/changed civics test threshold; potential early exemption for 7th/8th graders who pass).
- Teachers and district governing boards (implementation and assessment decisions).
Procedural/timeline notes
- Introduced Feb 6, 2025.
- The bill text prescribes the raised civics threshold effective for the graduating class of 2026.
- The packet shows multiple legislative action entries (reads, referrals, amendments); some records appear inconsistent or from other jurisdictions. Confirm current status via the Arizona Legislature website or the bill tracker for the 2025 session.
Because the provided file mixes different SB 1133 bills from multiple states and multiple amended drafts, verify which jurisdiction and final engrossed/amended version you are interested in before relying on this summary for legal, administrative, or compliance decisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
