AZ HB2277

Beginning in fiscal year 2011-2012, district boards may offer four-year baccalaureate degrees limited to nursing programs or elementary education programs for prospective teachers.

Districts must notify the joint legislative budget committee by September 15 each year of their intention to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees, and must submit detailed program descriptions and enrollment projections before beginning such programs.

Districts offering 300-level and 400-level academic courses are entitled to state aid and capital outlay funding based on estimated full-time equivalent student enrollment, with adjustments in the third year based on actual enrollment versus estimates.

Universities under the Arizona Board of Regents must apply the same graduate degree program admission criteria to community college baccalaureate degree holders as they do to traditional four-year institution graduates.

Districts offering four-year baccalaureate degree programs must collaborate with other districts on curriculum development for comparable programs, and all districts must develop uniform performance measures by September 15, 2011.