HB 2020
Initials CH Page 1 Appropriations
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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
HB 2020: teacher retention; study; report
Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Requires the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to annually complete a study to
determine the retention rate of teachers in public schools. Appropriates $100,000 from the
Teacher Certification Fund in FY 2026 to ADE for the study. Expands the data included in a
charter school's or school district's budget.
History
The State Board of Education (SBE) must adopt rules for the issuance of a: 1) standard
teaching certificate; 2) alternative teaching certificate; 3) subject-matter expert standard
teaching certificate; 4) classroom-based standard teaching certificate; and 5) career and
technical education teaching certificate. Statute also details requirements SBE must include
when adopting rules for certification reciprocity (A.R.S. § 15-501.01).
The Teacher Certification Fund is administered by ADE and consists of fees that are fixed by
SBE and collected by ADE from teachers and other school personnel who apply for
professional certification. Collected monies must be used for expenses incurred in
administering teacher certification (A.R.S. § 15-248.02).
Provisions
Teacher Retention Study
1. Instructs ADE to annually conduct a comprehensive study to determine the retention rate
of teachers in school districts and charter schools. (Sec. 1)
2. Appropriates $100,000 from the Teacher Certification Fund in FY 2026 to ADE to
implement the teacher retention study and related study requirements. (Sec. 4)
3. Specifies the study must include:
a) a summary of the total number of teachers and the retention and turnover rates for:
i. certificated teachers, by each type of teaching certificate;
ii. teachers who were issued a certificate by SBE during the past year, disaggregated
by the type of certificate and whether the applicant was certified via reciprocity;
iii. noncertificated teachers;
iv. teaching assignment;
v. location;
vi. the number of years of experience of each teacher;
vii. the number of teachers who, within their first three years of teaching, received
formal mentorship from an individual with at least five years of teaching
experience;
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viii. the number of teachers in each demographic segment in Arizona and each
district;
ix. the number of teachers who failed to renew their teaching certificate or
endorsement during the past year, together with the renewal requirements that
the teachers failed to satisfy;
x. any other SBE-identified category;
b) a summary of the number of vacant teaching positions, including the average time to
fill a vacancy, for:
i. teaching assignment;
ii. location;
iii. the manner by which the vacancy is filled, if applicable;
iv. any other SBE-identified category;
c) an analysis of data for each SBE-approved teacher preparation program, including:
i. program completion data;
ii. any program emphasis, including subject area and grade level;
iii. enrollment disaggregated by endorsement; and
iv. the number of years that individuals spend working as teachers in Arizona after
program completion. (Sec. 2)
4. Specifies the teaching assignment data must include subject area and grade level taught.
(Sec. 2)
5. Includes, in the location data, data by school site, school district or charter school, city or
town and county. (Sec. 2)
6. Stipulates the data regarding the manner by which a vacancy is filled must include
whether the vacancy is:
a) unfilled;
b) temporarily filled by a long-term substitute teacher; or
c) temporarily filled by a certificated teacher whose regular teaching assignment is in a
different subject area or grade level than the vacancy's teaching assignment. (Sec. 2)
7. Mandates SBE and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools collect and provide any
data requested by ADE. (Sec. 2)
8. Requires ADE to analyze public job postings by school districts and charter schools to
compile the prescribed vacant teaching position data. (Sec. 2)
9. Directs ADE, by December 31, 2025, and annually thereafter, to submit the study results
and recommendations to specified individuals. (Sec. 2)
10. Instructs ADE to maintain a publicly accessible interactive dashboard on its website that
contains the study results and recommendations and the data compiled. (Sec. 2)
Miscellaneous
11. Adds, to the information in the budget for a charter school or school district, the number
of full-time equivalent teachers for the current year. (Sec. 1, 3)
12. Specifies the full-time equivalent teacher information must include the number of
teachers for each school, disaggregated by subject area and grade level. (Sec. 1, 3)
13. Makes conforming changes. (Sec. 3)