AZ HB2298

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 15-203 to allow a variety of alternative teacher and administrator preparation programs with variations in program sequence and design to apply for approval from the state board of education.

Permits universities, community colleges, private postsecondary institutions, school districts, charter schools, and professional organizations to apply for program approval with less restrictive certification criteria than traditional preparation programs.

Requires all alternative and traditional teacher certification applicants to complete a minimum of 45 classroom hours or 3 college-level credit hours of training in research-based systematic phonics instruction.

Eliminates requirements that teachers obtain a master's degree or take additional graduate courses as a condition of certification or recertification, and allows general equivalency diplomas for emergency substitute teachers.

Allows currently approved preparation program providers to reapply for program approval under the new standards upon the effective date of the act.