SB1159 - 552R

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 15-501.01, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-501.01. Requirements for teachers; teaching certificates; rules; reciprocity; placement; posting

A. Notwithstanding any other law, all teachers who are certificated pursuant to this section must have a baccalaureate degree and a valid fingerprint clearance card.

B. The state board of education shall adopt rules for the issuance of the following types of certificates for teachers to reflect the source of the training the teacher obtains:

1. Standard teaching certificate.

2. Alternative teaching certificate for persons who obtain training pursuant to subsection C, paragraph 1 of this section.

3. Subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate for persons who obtain training pursuant to subsection C, paragraph 8 of this section.

4. Classroom-based standard teaching certificate for persons individuals who obtain training from a school district or charter school.

5. Career and technical education teaching certificate.

C. The state board of education shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of this section. The rules:

1. Shall provide for a variety of alternative teacher and administrator preparation programs that allow for variations in program sequence and design to apply for program approval. The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to this paragraph designed to allow for a variety of formats and shall not require a prescribed answer or design from the program provider in order to obtain approval from the state board. Any rules adopted by the state board pursuant to this paragraph shall be substantially different from the rules adopted for the approval of traditional preparation programs and may not unnecessarily restrict a variety of alternative preparation programs from operating and providing instruction in this state. The state board shall evaluate each program provider based on the program's ability to prepare teachers and administrators and to recruit teachers and administrators with a variety of experiences and talents. The state board shall allow universities under the jurisdiction of the Arizona board of regents, community colleges in this state, private postsecondary institutions licensed by this state, school districts, charter schools, professional organizations, nonprofit organizations and private entities to apply for program approval and shall create application procedures and certification criteria that are substantially less restrictive than those for traditional preparation programs. At the completion of an alternative preparation program, graduates shall:

(a) Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited postsecondary education institution.

(b) If applicable, demonstrate professional knowledge and subject knowledge proficiency pursuant to section 15-533.

(d) If applicable, complete training in structured English immersion as prescribed by the state board pursuant to section 15-756.09.

(e) If applicable, complete training in research-based systematic phonics instruction as prescribed in paragraph 2 of this subsection.

(f) Demonstrate the required proficiency in the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona as prescribed in section 15-532.

2. Shall require that, within three years after a certificate for elementary education or early childhood education is issued, the certificate holder complete, from a public or private provider, at least forty-five classroom hours or three college-level credit hours, or the equivalent, in both research-based:

(a) Science of reading instruction, including systematic phonics instruction.

(b) Reading instruction, including training on assessments, instructional practices and interventions to improve student reading proficiency. Beginning July 1, 2021, instruction provided pursuant to this subdivision must meet the requirements for dyslexia training prescribed in section 15-219.

3. Beginning August 1, 2025, shall establish a literacy endorsement as a requirement for all certificated teachers who provide literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or in any of grades one through grade five as determined by the board. The rules shall require that a certificated teacher who receives a certificate after August 1, 2025 and who provides literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or in any of grades one through grade five must obtain a literacy endorsement within three years after the teacher's certificate is issued. The rules shall require that a certificated teacher who received a certificate before August 1, 2025 and who provides literacy instruction in kindergarten programs or in any of grades one through grade five must obtain a literacy endorsement on or before August 1, 2028. The literacy endorsement shall require the teacher to complete evidence-based science of reading training or coursework as determined by the board and to pass a literacy instruction assessment to show that the teacher is capable of doing all of the following:

(a) Effectively teaching foundational reading skills, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension.

(b) Implementing reading instruction using high-quality instructional materials.

(c) Providing effective instruction and interventions for students with reading deficiencies, including students with characteristics of dyslexia.

4. Beginning August 1, 2022, shall require all approved educator preparation programs in elementary education and early childhood education to require the courses that are necessary to obtain a literacy endorsement pursuant to paragraph 3 of this subsection.

5. Shall establish a process to allow a local education agency, at the request of a teacher, to verify to the department of education that the teacher possesses the instructional knowledge and skills prescribed in paragraph 3 of this subsection, demonstrated through classroom observations and student achievement data across subgroups using evidence-based measures. A certificated teacher who has had a local education agency verify the teacher's knowledge and skills in the science of reading pursuant to this paragraph is not required to complete the coursework, training or assessment requirements prescribed in paragraph 3 of this subsection to obtain the literacy endorsement.

6. Shall not require a teacher to obtain a master's degree or to take any additional graduate courses as a condition of certification or recertification.

7. Shall allow but shall not require the superintendent of a school district to obtain certification from the state board of education.

8. Shall provide for the issuance of a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate to persons who have expertise in a content area or a subject matter. Persons who are certified pursuant to this paragraph shall complete training, if applicable, in structured English immersion as prescribed by the state board pursuant to section 15-756.09. Persons who are certified pursuant to this paragraph are exempt from the subject knowledge proficiency requirements prescribed in section 15-533 and from the proficiency requirements prescribed in section 15-532 on the Constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Persons who are subject to subdivision (a) of this paragraph are also exempt from the professional knowledge proficiency requirements pursuant to section 15-533. A person who obtains a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate pursuant to this paragraph may provide instruction in the person's field of expertise in grades six through twelve at any public school in this state. Issuance of the subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate may not be conditioned on the person's employment with a local education agency. A person who meets the requirements of this paragraph shall be issued a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate without having to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency pursuant to section 15-533, except that the person shall have at least two years to demonstrate professional knowledge proficiency pursuant to section 15-533. School districts shall evaluate and provide support pursuant to section 15-537 to teachers who are certified pursuant to this paragraph. If a person fails to meet the professional knowledge requirements of this section within two years, the department of education or state board of education may temporarily suspend the subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate. A certificate that is temporarily suspended pursuant to this paragraph is not considered a disciplinary action, and a person shall be allowed to correct the deficiency within the remaining time of the subject-matter expert standard teaching certification. This paragraph does not require a person who has obtained another type of teaching certificate from the state board to obtain a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate pursuant to this paragraph in order to provide instruction in grades six through twelve. Persons who are certificated pursuant to this paragraph shall review and attest to reviewing the best practices for social media and cellular telephone use between students and school personnel adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 15-203, subsection A, paragraph 44 before receiving a certificate and, within two years after receiving a certificate, complete training in professionalism and ethics from a public or private provider approved by the state board of education, which may include a no-cost option to the person provided by the state board. A person is eligible for a subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate pursuant to this paragraph if the person has a baccalaureate degree and meets any of the following requirements:

(a) Has taught courses relevant to a content area or subject matter for the last two consecutive years and for a total of at least three years at one or more regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary institutions. A person demonstrates compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment for specific durations from one or more qualifying postsecondary institutions.

(b) Has either a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree or a doctoral degree in a specific subject area that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools.

(c) Demonstrates expertise through relevant work experience of at least five years in a field that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools. A person demonstrates compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment.

9. Notwithstanding section 15-533, shall exempt persons applying for a secondary education certificate from the subject knowledge portion of the proficiency examination if the state board determines that the person has work experience in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and can demonstrate adequate knowledge of a particular subject through a postsecondary education degree or twenty-four credit hours of relevant coursework.

10. Shall allow for a certificate issued to a person pursuant to subsection B, paragraph 1, 3, 4 or 5 of this section or section 15-203 or 15-782.01, as applicable, to be both issued and renewed for at least twelve years and may not require more than fifteen hours of continuing education credits each year in order to renew that certificate pursuant to this paragraph.

11. Shall allow for a certificate issued to a person pursuant to subsection B of this section or section 15-132, 15-203 or 15-782.01, as applicable, and any endorsement or approved area related to that certificate, to be renewed at least two years but not more than ten years after that certificate expires without any other requirements adopted by the state board of education or the department of education if the person is in good standing, has at least ten years of verified full-time experience in this state in the area in which the person is seeking renewed certification and possesses a valid fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to section 15-534. A certificate renewed pursuant to this paragraph shall be identical to the expired certificate.

D. The rules for certification reciprocity shall include a requirement that the applicant possess a comparable valid certification from another state and be in good standing with that other state. An applicant who possesses a valid certification from another state and a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to section 15-534 and who is in good standing with that other state shall be issued a comparable standard certificate or a comparable certificate issued pursuant to section 15-132, 15-203 or 15-782.01, as applicable, without any other requirements from the state board of education or the department of education. A person who is issued a certificate pursuant to this subsection is not required to meet any requirement prescribed in section 15-533.

E. Placement decisions of teaching intern certificate holders issued pursuant to subsection C, paragraph 1 of this section and section 15-552 shall be based on agreements between the teacher preparation provider, the provider's partner organizations and the local education agency. The practices of the department of education and the rules and policies of the state board of education may not restrict placement of teaching intern certification holders based on local education agency instructional models and may only consider the academic quality of the school, the effectiveness of the teaching intern certification holder's on-site mentor and the opportunity for a wide variety of schools and school models to access teaching intern certification holders.

F. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, the following persons are not required to have a baccalaureate degree:

1. A teacher who is otherwise exempt by law from obtaining a baccalaureate degree and who provides instruction in STEM or career and technical education pursuant to section 15-782.01.

2. A person who obtains any of the following:

(a) A Native American language certificate.

(b) A student teaching intern certificate.

(d) An athletic coaching certificate.

(e) An emergency substitute certificate.

G. On or before November 15 of each year, the department of education shall report and post on its website all of the following:

1. The total number of teaching certificates issued in the previous calendar year disaggregated by the type of teaching certificate and demographics.

2. The total number of currently issued teaching certificates in this state disaggregated by the type of teaching certificate and demographics.

3. Any other historical data or trends regarding certificated individuals in this state. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Heading change

The article heading of title 15, chapter 5, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is changed from "CERTIFICATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS" to "CERTIFICATION AND EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES".

Sec. 3. Section 15-533, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-533. Proficiency examination; examination reciprocity

A. To qualify for a standard teaching certificate, or equivalent certificate later adopted by the state board of education, a person must pass each component of the proficiency examination developed and administered by the state board of education unless otherwise exempted by law. The proficiency examination shall consist of only a professional knowledge test and a subject knowledge test.

B. A person is not required to take the any examination pursuant to this section if the person possesses a comparable valid certification from another state and is in good standing with that other state pursuant to section 15-203, subsection A, paragraph 27 15-501.01, subsection D.

C. A person who is applying for a standard teaching certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education, is not required to take the professional knowledge test, the subject knowledge test or the entire proficiency examination if the person has passed corresponding portions of an examination adopted by a state agency in another state that is substantially similar to the examination adopted by the state board of education. A person who is applying for a standard teaching certificate, or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education, is not required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person has been a full-time teacher or in a full-time school leadership position in any state, including this state, for at least three years in the same area of certification in which the person is applying for certification in this state.

D. An applicant for a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate adopted by the state board of education may demonstrate subject knowledge proficiency instead of taking the subject knowledge test required pursuant to this section by meeting any of the following:

1. Has taught courses relevant to a content area or subject matter for the last two consecutive years and for a total of at least three years at one or more regionally or nationally accredited public or private postsecondary institutions. A The person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment for specific durations from one or more qualifying postsecondary institutions.

2. Has either a baccalaureate degree, a master's degree or a doctoral degree in a subject area that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools.

3. Demonstrates expertise through relevant work experience of at least five years in a field that is relevant to a content area or subject matter taught in public schools. A The person shall demonstrate compliance with this requirement by providing the state board with written proof of employment.

E. A person who obtained structured English immersion training in another state that the state board of education determines is comparable to the structured English immersion training required in this state shall is not be required to obtain additional structured English immersion training in this state pursuant to section 15-756.09.

F. The state board of education may grant a standard teaching certificate or any other certificate issued by the board for at least three years to a teacher who has not met the requirements of this section at the time of application.

G. A person is not required to pass the proficiency examination or the equivalent examination more than once. The state board of education may adopt rules to modify the requirements of subsection B or C of this section for persons who have taught, obtained certification or obtained a master's degree in another country.

H. A person who is not required to pass the proficiency examination developed and administered in this state by the state board of education pursuant to this section shall only be granted reciprocity for those proficiency examinations required in this state that pertain to the grade levels and content areas that the person is certified to teach in another state. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 15-553, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE15-553. School districts and charter schools; classroom-based preparation program providers; teacher certification; rules

A. In addition to any alternative preparation program provider path approved by the state board of education, a school district or charter school may apply to the state board of education for authority to approve the certification of teachers as a classroom-based preparation program provider.

B. The state board of education shall adopt rules, policies and procedures to be administered by the department of education. The rules may not be more restrictive or require more than is prescribed in this subsection. The rules shall facilitate the approval and certification process pursuant to this section and provide for all of the following:

1. The superintendent of a school district or the principal of a charter school must verify that the applicant for certification has made satisfactory progress and achievement with students. A teacher who is teaching courses or subjects that are tested by the statewide assessment pursuant to section 15-741 may not receive a certificate pursuant to this section until the teacher has been in the classroom for at least two years and student data has been submitted by the school district or charter school confirming that the teacher's students, at the end of the school year, either are performing at grade level or have achieved at least one year of academic growth at a rate equivalent to the state average for the students' associated peer groups.

2. For informational purposes only, allow A school district or charter school to must submit a program sequence or training schedule along with any information regarding mentoring and coaching of teacher candidates. The state board of education shall provide for a variety of options in program sequence, content and design and may not require a prescribed program sequence, content or design from the school district or charter school in order to obtain approval from the state board.

3. A school district or charter school must submit data supporting the efficacy of the school district's or charter school's teacher preparation program. A school district or charter school may contract with a third-party provider to provide the teacher preparation program and may use that program's efficacy data to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

4. A school district or charter school may adopt professional expectations, professional requirements or student achievement requirements that exceed the student achievement expectations and requirements prescribed by this section, including REQUIRing candidates to complete specified coursework or trainings.

5. In order to receive a classroom-based standard teaching certificate after successfully completing the program, an applicant for certification pursuant to this section must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution and meet background and fingerprint clearance card requirements pursuant to section 15-534.

6. An applicant pursuing certification pursuant to this section must demonstrate subject knowledge and professional knowledge through any available option pursuant to section 15-533.

7. The application for a school district or charter school to be a classroom-based preparation program provider must include all of the following:

(a) The name of the school district or charter school applying.

(b) A list of all staff members responsible for administering the program and the roles and responsibilities of each person.

(d) A description of the program.

C. On the submission of verification from a school district or charter school that the requirements prescribed in this section have been met, the state board shall issue a classroom-based standard teaching certificate to the teacher pursuant to section 15-203.

D. A school district or charter school may employ and enroll emergency teacher certification holders with a bachelor's degree into its classroom-based preparation program. Notwithstanding any other law and beginning in school year 2020-2021, a school district may hire and enroll into its classroom-based preparation program any teaching candidate who meets the requirements of subsection B, paragraph 5 of this section.

D. Notwithstanding any other law, a school district or charter school may employ and enroll any candidate into its classroom-based preparation program who meets the background and fingerprint clearance card requirements pursuant to section 15-534 and who holds at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution, except that a school district or charter school that operates a classroom-based preparation program may enroll a candidate who does not currently hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution into the program if the candidate meets all of the following:

1. The background and fingerprint clearance card requirements pursuant to section 15-534.

2. Is currently enrolled in an accredited public or private postsecondary institution bachelor's degree program.

3. Is not a contracted or permanent full-time teacher or the teacher of record for any classroom of students, except that the candidate may be employed by the school district or charter school.

4. Does not regularly instruct students without the presence of a full-time teacher, certificated teacher, instructional coach or instructional mentor unless the candidate possesses other means of certification, including an emergency substitute certificate, substitute certificate or emergency teacher certificate.

E. If a school district or charter school is approved as a classroom-based preparation program provider pursuant to this section, the approval is valid for six years after the date of approval. To continue as a classroom-based preparation program provider, the school district or charter school must apply for renewal before the expiration of its current approval. If the application for renewal is approved by the state board of education, the renewal is valid for six years after the date of the approval. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Title 15, chapter 5, article 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-554, to read:

START_STATUTE15-554. School districts and charter schools; locally based school leadership preparation program providers; certification; rules

A. In addition to any alternative preparation program provider path approved by the state board of education, a school district or charter school may apply to the state board of education for authority to approve the certification of principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other school-level leadership positions as a locally based school leadership preparation program provider.

B. The state board of education shall adopt rules, policies and procedures to be administered by the department of education. The rules may not be more restrictive or require more than is prescribed in this section. The rules shall facilitate the approval and certification process pursuant to this section and provide for all of the following:

1. The superintendent of a school district or the principal of a charter school must verify that the applicant for certification has made satisfactory progress in the program sequence and model, Which may include professional evaluations of the applicant, observations of the applicant, student achievement data and demonstration of competencies, skills and knowledge associated with the relevant school leadership position.

2. A school district or charter school must submit a program sequence or training schedule along with any information regarding the learning experiences, mentoring and coaching of school leader candidates. The state board of education shall provide for a variety of options in program sequence, content and design and may not require a prescribed program sequence, content or design from the school district or charter school in order to obtain approval from the state board.

3. A school district or charter school must submit evidence supporting the efficacy of the school district's or charter school's preparation program. A school district or charter school may contract with a third-party provider to provide or assist in the preparation program and may use that program's efficacy evidence to meet the requirements of this paragraph.

4. A school district or charter school may adopt professional expectations and requirements that exceed the requirements prescribed by this section, including requiring candidates to complete specified coursework or trainings.

5. An applicant for certification pursuant to this section must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution and meet background and fingerprint clearance card requirements pursuant to section 15-534.

6. An applicant pursuing certification pursuant to this section must demonstrate subject knowledge and professional knowledge through any available option pursuant to section 15-533.

7. The application for a school district or charter school to be a locally based school leadership program provider must include the following:

(a) The name of the school district or charter school applying.

(b) A list of all staff members responsible for administering the program and the roles and responsibilities of each person.

(d) A description of the program.

C. On the submission of verification from a school district or charter school that the requirements prescribed in this section have been met, the state board shall issue a standard principal, assistant principal, supervisor or other school-level leadership position certificate to the individual.

D. Notwithstanding any other law, a school district or charter school may hire and enroll into its preparation program any candidate who meets the requirements of subsection B, paragraph 5 of this section.

E. If a school district or charter school is approved as a locally based school leadership program provider pursuant to this section, the approval is valid for six years after the date of approval. To continue as a locally based school leadership program provider, the school district or charter school must apply for renewal before the expiration of its current approval. If the application for renewal is approved by the state board of education, the renewal is valid for six years after the date of the approval. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6. Heading repeal

The article heading of former title 15, chapter 5, article 4, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.