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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
schools; administrative employees; instruction requirement
Purpose
Requires Arizona schools to require each full-time administrative employee of the school to provide classroom instruction at least once per school year as a substitute teacher. Outlines exemptions from the requirement to substitute teach at least once per school year.
Background
A person who applies to the State Board of Education (SBE) for a certification to engage in instructional work directly as a teacher or indirectly as a supervisory teacher, speech therapist, principal or superintendent must have a valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). The SBE may review and determine whether to renew or not to issue a certificate to an applicant on a finding that the applicant engaged in immoral or unprofessional conduct or engaged in conduct that would warrant disciplinary action if the person had been certified at the time that the alleged conduct occurred (A.R.S. §§ 15-183; 15-203; and 15-534).
A substitute teaching certificate entitles the holder to substitute in the temporary absence of a regular contract teacher. To be issued a substitute teaching certificate, an applicant must possess a bachelor's degree and a valid DPS-issued fingerprint clearance card. An individual who holds a valid teaching or administrator certificate is not required to hold a substitute certificate to be employed as a substitute teacher (A.A.C. R7-2-614).
Full-time means to be employed for a full school day, a full class
load or the equivalent of a full school day or class load, as determined by the
school district governing board (A.R.S.
§ 15-501).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires each school in Arizona to require each full-time administrative employee of the school to provide classroom instruction as a substitute teacher at least once per school year.
2. Specifies that an administrative employee who provides instruction as a substitute teacher at least once per year is not required to obtain a substitute teaching certificate from the SBE.
3. Prohibits a school from requiring an administrative employee to annually provide instruction as a substitute teacher if the individual:
a) has not obtained a fingerprint clearance card or been fingerprinted; or
b) is subject to discipline for immoral or unprofessional conduct.
4. Includes, in administrative employee, a school principal, superintendent, business manager, business official or employee who provides administrative services to the school.
5. Excludes, from administrative employee:
a) an individual who regularly provides classroom instruction as a classroom, laboratory or other teacher; or
b) an individual who regularly provides services directly to students, including transportation, instructional support or student support services.
6. Defines school as a school district, charter school or individual school that is operated by a school district.
7. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 10, 2025
MH/SDR/ci