ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

Senate: ED DPA 5-3-0-0 | 3rd Read 16-12-2-0

House: ED DPA 5-4-0-1 | 3rd Read 31-27-2-0

Final Pass: 16-10-4-0


SB 1159: teacher certification; leadership preparation programs

Sponsor: Senator Gray, LD  21

Transmitted to the Governor

Overview

Makes various changes to statute regarding teacher certification. Alters requirements for a classroom-based preparation program (classroom program). Establishes a process for a school district or charter school (school) to be a school leadership preparation program (leadership program).

History

Statute directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt rules for the issuance of the following certificates: 1) standard teaching certificate; 2) alternative teaching certificate; 3) subject-matter expert standard teaching certificate (subject-matter certificate); 4) classroom-based standard teaching certificate; and 5) career and technical education teaching certificate (A.R.S. § 15-501.01).

A school may apply to SBE for authority to approve the certification of teachers as a classroom program provider. SBE must adopt rules, policies and procedures that are administered by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE). These rules must include requirements for applicants, specifications regarding when a teacher may receive a certificate and submission requirements for a school (A.R.S. § 15-553). Currently, three school districts offer classroom programs (ADE).

Provisions

Certification

1.   Mandates a subject-matter certificate holder:

a)   Review the best practices for social media and cellular telephone use between students and school personnel adopted by SBE before receiving the certificate; and

b)   Complete training in professionalism and ethics from a public or private provider approved by SBE within two years after receiving a certificate. (Sec. 1)

2.   States the training in professionalism and ethics may include a no-cost option provided to the person by SBE. (Sec. 1)

3.   Removes the requirement that for a certificate and any endorsement or approved area related to the certificate to be renewed between 2 and 10 years after its expiration, the holder have at least 10 years of verified full-time experience in Arizona in the area in which the person is seeking renewed certification. (Sec. 1)☐ Prop 105 (45 votes)	     ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes)      ☐ Emergency (40 votes)	☐ Fiscal Note

4.   Instructs ADE, by November 15 annually, to report and post on its website prescribed information relating to the number and types of teaching certificates issued. (Sec. 1)

5.   Exempts a person from being required to take any portion of the proficiency examination if the person is in a full-time school leadership position in any state for at least three years in the same area in which the person is applying for certification in Arizona. (Sec. 3)

6.   Permits SBE to grant any certificate for at least three years to a teacher who has not met proficiency examination requirements at the time of application. (Sec. 3)

Classroom Programs

7.   Requires, rather than allows, a school to submit a program sequence or training schedule and any information regarding mentoring and coaching of teacher candidates. (Sec. 4)

8.   Mandates SBE provide for options in program sequence, content and design. (Sec. 4)

9.   Prohibits SBE from requiring a prescribed program sequence, content or design. (Sec. 4)

10.  Allows a school to adopt professional expectations, professional requirements or student achievement requirements that exceed the expectations established by statute. (Sec. 4)

11.  Specifies that to receive a classroom-based teaching certificate, an applicant must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution and meet background and fingerprint clearance card requirements. (Sec. 4)

12.  Details the information that must be included in the application for a school to be a classroom program provider. (Sec. 4)

13.  Allows a school to employ and enroll any candidate into its classroom program who meets background and fingerprint clearance card requirements and who holds at least an accredited bachelor's degree. (Sec. 4)

14.  Adds that a school may enroll a candidate into its classroom program who does not hold an accredited bachelor's degree if the candidate:

a)   Meets background and fingerprint clearance card requirements;

b)   Is currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's degree program;

c)   Is not a contracted or permanent full-time teacher or the teacher of record for any classroom of students, except the candidate may be employed by the school; and

d)   Does not regularly instruct students without the presence of a full-time teacher, certificated teacher, instructional coach or mentor unless the candidate possesses other means of certification. (Sec. 4)

15.  Details approval and renewal as a classroom program provider is valid for six years after the date of approval or renewal. (Sec. 4)

Leadership Programs

16.  Allows a school to apply to SBE for authority to approve the certification of principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other school-level leadership positions as a locally based leadership program provider. (Sec. 5)

17.  Directs SBE to adopt rules, policies and procedures that are administered by ADE and not more restrictive or require more than is prescribed by statute. (Sec. 5)

18.  Requires the school district superintendent or charter school principal to verify that the applicant for certification has made satisfactory progress in the program sequence and model. (Sec. 5)

19.  Specifies the measurements that a school district superintendent or charter school principal may use to verify satisfactory progress. (Sec. 5)

20.  Instructs a school to submit a program sequence or training schedule along with any information regarding the learning experiences, mentoring and coaching of school leader candidates. (Sec. 5)

21.  Directs SBE to provide for options in program sequence, content and design. (Sec. 5)

22.  Prohibits SBE from requiring a prescribed program sequence, content or design. (Sec. 5)

23.  Requires a school to submit evidence supporting the efficacy of the leadership program. (Sec. 5)

24.  Allows a school to contract with a third-party provider to provide or assist in the leadership program and use that program's efficacy evidence. (Sec. 5)

25.  Authorizes a school to adopt professional expectations and requirements that exceed requirements established by statute. (Sec. 5)

26.  Requires an applicant pursuing certification to:

a)   Hold at least an accredited bachelor's degree;

b)   Meet background and fingerprint clearance card requirements; and

c)   Demonstrate subject knowledge and professional knowledge. (Sec. 5)

27.  Details the information that must be included in the application for a school to be a leadership program. (Sec. 5)

28.  Instructs SBE to issue a standard principal, assistant principal, supervisor or other school-level leadership position certificate to an individual on submission of verification from a school that the requirements established by statute have been met. (Sec. 5)

29.  Allows a school to hire and enroll in its leadership program any candidate who holds at least an accredited bachelor's degree and meets background and fingerprint clearance card requirements. (Sec. 5)

30.  Details approval and renewal as a leadership program provider is valid for six years after the date of approval or renewal. (Sec. 4)

Miscellaneous

31.  Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1, 3, 6)

32.  Makes conforming changes. (Sec.1, 2, 3)

 

 

 

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                        SB 1159

Initials CH       Page 0 Transmitted

 

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