ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: HEWD DPA 7-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 26-0-4-0

House: ED DP 11-0-0-2 | 3rd Read 58-2-0-0


SB 1492: Arizona teachers academy; program pathways

Sponsor:  Senator Boyer, LD 20

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Expands the Arizona Teachers Academy (Academy) to include students who commit to teach for schools that serve primarily public school students with disabilities. Allows a college owned, operated or chartered by a qualifying Indian tribe to participate in the Academy.

History

Under current law, eligible postsecondary institutions are required to implement an Academy to incentivize students to enter the teaching profession and to commit to teach in Arizona public schools. Each Academy may include new or existing teacher preparation program pathways that are student-focused and that employ proven, research-based models of best practices. Each eligible postsecondary institution may develop and offer a portfolio of teacher preparation programs that must include accelerated models for: 1) high-demand teacher specializations, including special education, science, technology engineering and mathematics; 2) critical need areas, including low-income public schools, public schools located on Indian reservations and rural public schools; and 3) individuals seeking postbaccalaureate coursework that results in professional certification (A.R.S. § 15- 1655(A)(B)).

The Arizona Teachers Academy Fund (Fund) consists of legislative appropriations. Fund monies are used for the administration of the Academy. The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) is required to administer the Fund and establish criteria for distributing Fund monies to eligible postsecondary institutions each fiscal year (A.R.S. § 15-1655(F)).

Eligible postsecondary institutions are defined as in-state universities that lead to teacher certification and have entered into an agreement with ABOR relative to these postbaccalaureate programs (A.R.S § 15-1655(K)(1)).

Provisions

1.    ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)	     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes)	☐ Fiscal NoteExpands the Academy to include students who commit to teach for schools that serve primarily public school students with disabilities. (Sec. 1)

2.    Allows each eligible postsecondary institution to prioritize admission to the Academy for senior and junior students but specifies that sophomore and freshman students may not be excluded. (Sec. 1)

3.    Adds that the programs offered as part of the Academy must include accelerated models for:

a)    Critical needs areas, including schools that serve primarily public school students with disabilities;

b)    Teachers who currently teach a dual enrollment course to satisfy the requirements for teaching a dual enrollment course adopted by a higher learning commission that accredits degree-granting postsecondary educational institutions in the north central region, including Arizona; and

c)    Students in noneducation programs who must complete one or more teacher preparation course to receive a teaching certification following graduation. (Sec. 1)

4.    Allows an in-state college that is owned, operated or chartered by a qualifying Indian tribe on its own Indian reservation and that offers baccalaureate teacher education programs to participate in the Academy and receive Fund monies. (Sec. 1)

5.    Defines a school that serves primarily public school students with disabilities as a school in which more than 75% of the students enrolled are public school students who are placed at the school according to an agreement with a school, a charter school or the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. (Sec. 1)

6.    Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

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10.                    SB 1492

11.  Initials CH/EB       Page 0 Transmitted

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