AZ SB1717

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 15-1655 to expand the Arizona Teachers Academy to include schools serving primarily students with disabilities, treating them as public schools for program purposes.

Allows eligible postsecondary institutions to admit sophomore and freshman students to the academy while giving priority to junior and senior students.

Adds new teacher preparation pathways including dual enrollment course teachers and non-education program students seeking teaching certification.

Permits tribal colleges on Indian reservations that offer baccalaureate teacher education programs to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy and receive fund monies.

Removes the requirement that summer terms be excluded from scholarship calculations and clarifies that students unable to teach due to physical or mental reasons undergo financial assessment for repayment determination by the Arizona Board of Regents.