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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
alternative teacher development program; extension
Purpose
Continues the Alternative Teacher Development Program (Program) to July 1, 2030.
Background
The Program was established to identify, train and place highly qualified individuals into low-income schools by utilizing teaching intern certification and identifying qualified service providers. The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) is required to develop application procedures, selection criteria and minimum performance standards for service providers wishing to participate in the Program (A.R.S. § 15-552).
The State Board of Education awards a matching grant to a service provider that meets Program requirements. The amount of the matching grant must be equal to the amount of money raised by the service provider and may not exceed the amount appropriated for the Program. A service provider must demonstrate that it is a non-profit alternative teacher recruitment organization providing services in Arizona for at least 10 years, serves only public schools with a majority of students coming from low-income households, maintains a competitive application and selection process for applicants and requires all participating individuals to commit to serving at least 2 years as a teacher in a low-income Arizona public school (A.R.S. § 15-552).
ADE is required to submit an annual report by December 15 that evaluates the effectiveness of the Program. This report must be submitted to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives with a copy provided to the Secretary of State (A.R.S. § 15-552). According to the 2019 annual report submitted by Teach For America, 141 teachers were placed in low-income schools by the service provider serving an estimated 10,575 students (ADE).
Statute requires any newly established program by the Legislature to include in its enabling legislation a specific program expiration date that is no longer than 10 years after the effective date of the enabling legislation (A.R.S. § 41-3102). Laws 2015, Chapter 226 continued the Program to July 1, 2020.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associate with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues the Program until July 1, 2030.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date, retroactive to July 1, 2020.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 4, 2021
JO/gs