HB 2530 Summary

• Expands the Arizona Teachers Academy to include school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors as eligible participants in addition to teachers.

• Allocates 3% of the Student Support and Safety Fund (previously allocated to teachers academy only) to support the expanded Arizona Teachers, School Psychologists, School Social Workers and School Counselors Academy Fund.

• Provides scholarships covering tuition, fees, certification exam costs, and national board certification for eligible undergraduate, graduate, and postbaccalaureate students in the expanded academy, with service obligations to work in Arizona public schools.

• Requires eligible postsecondary institutions (universities under Arizona Board of Regents, community colleges, and qualifying tribal colleges) to develop partnerships with public schools and implement programs focused on high-demand specializations and critical need areas.

• Appropriates $5,000,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2022-2023 to support the expanded academy and requires a three-fourths vote of both legislative houses for enactment.