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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
certified teachers; braille literacy; requirements
Purpose
Modifies the methods for a teacher to demonstrate braille competency for certification in educating blind pupils and visually impaired pupils.
Background
The State Board of Education (SBE) must ensure that braille instruction sufficiently enables each blind pupil to communicate effectively and efficiently in all subject areas with the same level of proficiency expected of the pupil's peers of comparable ability and grade level. Teachers certified in educating blind pupils and visually impaired pupils in Arizona must demonstrate braille competency by successfully completing: 1) a nationally validated test, when available; or 2) a braille test developed in the University of Arizona's (U of A's) visual impairment program.
A blind pupil is a pupil who: 1) cannot successfully use vision as a primary and efficient channel for learning; 2) exhibits such a low degree or amount of visual acuity or visual field that vision is not considered as a primary mode of learning; or 3) has a medically indicated prognosis of visual deterioration (A.R.S. § 15-214).
The National Blindness Professional Certification Board administers the National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB) examination for a five-year renewable certification. An NCUEB is awarded to individuals who successfully pass each portion NCUEB examination and is intended primarily for teachers, future teachers and other professionals whose responsibilities include teaching or producing braille (NBPCB).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the SBE to require teachers who are certified in educating blind and visually impaired pupils to demonstrate competence in braille by successfully completing:
a) an NCUEB examination, rather than a nationally validated test when such a test becomes available; or
b) a comparable braille test developed in a university-level teacher preparation program, rather than a program developed in the U of A's visual impairment program.
2. Prohibits the SBE, until January 1, 2028, from requiring certified teachers who completed a university-level teacher preparation program or bachelor's degree program before July 2016 to demonstrate competency in braille as outlined.
3. Defines braille as the Unified English Braille Code.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 17, 2025
MH/SDR/ci