ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: ED DP 12-0-0-0

HB2765: Arizona teachers academy; community colleges

Sponsor: Representative Taylor, LD 29

House Engrossed

Overview

Broadens the postsecondary institutions eligible to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy (Academy) to include any Arizona community college.

History

Eligible postsecondary institutions operate an Academy to incentivize students to teach in Arizona public schools or in schools that primarily serve public school students with disabilities. The Academy must include accelerated models for: 1) high-demand teacher specializations; 2) critical need areas; 3) individuals seeking postbaccalaureate coursework resulting in professional certification; 4) dual enrollment teachers; and 5) students in noneducation programs to complete teacher preparation courses.

An eligible postsecondary institution must provide each Academy student a scholarship, after all other financial aid is considered, up to the actual cost of: 1) tuition and fees for undergraduate, graduate and community college students, subject to academic year and semester limitations; 2) obtaining National Board certification and renewal; and 3) obtaining a teaching certificate. For each academic year the student successfully completes and receives a tuition and fee scholarship, the student must agree to teach for one full school year in an Arizona public school. A teacher seeking a National Board certification must teach for one additional year after completing the certification program. Statute details circumstances in which a student or teacher must reimburse the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) for an Academy scholarship if the student or teacher does not fulfill the service requirement. Arizona Teachers Academy Fund monies may be used to reimburse Academy scholarships.

Currently, postsecondary institutions eligible to participate in the Academy are: 1) Arizona public universities; 2) Arizona community colleges that offer postbaccalaureate programs leading to teacher certification and that have entered into agreements with ABOR; and 3) colleges operated by a qualifying Indian tribe that offer baccalaureate teacher education programs and that have opted into the Academy (A.R.S. § 15-1655).

Provisions

1. Expands the definition of eligible postsecondary institution, as it relates to participation in the Academy, to include any Arizona community college, rather than Arizona community colleges that offer postbaccalaureate programs leading to teacher certification and that have entered into agreements with ABOR. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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6. HB 2765

7. Initials CH/LN Page 0 House Engrossed

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