HB 2018
Initials CH Page 1 Education
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2018: private universities; Arizona teachers academy
Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4
Committee on Education
Overview
Enables an eligible degree-granting private postsecondary educational institution in Arizona
(private institution) to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy (Academy) and receive
Academy Fund monies. Appropriates $10,000,000 from the state General Fund (GF) in FY
2026 to the Academy Fund.
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 programs offered by 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.
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) 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).
A similar bill was introduced in the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session and was vetoed by
the Governor (HB 2428 private universities; Arizona teachers academy).
Provisions
1. Allows a private institution offering postbaccalaureate teacher preparation programs
that lead to teacher certification to participate in the Academy and receive Academy Fund
monies. (Sec. 1)
Page 2
2. Limits the reimbursement for an Academy scholarship provided by a private institution
to the remainder of the average in-state tuition and fees charged by Arizona public
universities, minus other gifts and aid awarded to the student. (Sec. 1)
3. Includes, in the definition of eligible postsecondary institution, a private institution opting
to participate in the Academy. (Sec. 1)
4. Appropriates $10,000,000 from the state GF in FY 2026 to the Academy Fund. (Sec. 2)
5. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)