SB 1331 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona Teacher Academy to incentivize Arizona resident students to enter teaching and commit to teaching in Arizona public schools.

• Requires universities under the Arizona Board of Regents to develop academy metrics, marketing plans, and portfolios of teacher preparation programs including accelerated options for high-demand specializations like STEM.

• Provides full tuition and fee waivers to full-time students enrolled in the academy, with students required to teach one school year in Arizona public schools for each year of waiver received; students must repay waivers if they fail to meet academic standards or teaching obligations.

• Appropriates $5,500,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2018-2019 to the Arizona Board of Regents for academy operation, with funds exempt from lapsing appropriations.

• Requires the Arizona Board of Regents to submit annual reports by July 1 detailing student enrollment, completion rates, graduates, current teachers in public schools, and students in default.