AZ HB2616

Appropriates $32,000,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2014-2015 to the Arizona Department of Education for distribution to school districts and charter schools for teacher stipends and release time for professional development in Arizona's college and career ready standards.

Limits funding to teachers in kindergarten through grade 8, or high school teachers (grades 9-12) in core academic subjects including mathematics, English language arts, science, and social studies.

Caps professional development funding at 40 hours per teacher with a maximum rate of $125 per 8-hour training session.

Appropriates an additional $3,000,000 to fund 10 FTE department positions to oversee professional development coordination and 20 FTE master teacher positions to provide statewide training.

Requires the Department of Education to report to the legislature by June 30, 2015 on the number of teachers trained under this appropriation.