PHOENIX (AP) -- The state House has rejected an attempt to prevent school districts from cutting back on physical education, art, music and career education in order to implement new math and science standards imposed by the state.

The House vote was 33-27 against the bill that was a reaction to the new standards adopted by the state Board of Education last December.

While prohibiting instruction cuts, the bill would have allowed districts to apply for state waivers on grounds of budget reasons or insufficient enrollment.

Supporters called the bill a reasonable attempt to avoid sacrifices of vital programs while opponents said it intruded on local control.

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