AZ HB2057

Amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 15-553 to allow school districts and charter schools to operate classroom-based teacher preparation programs with state board of education approval.

Requires teacher candidates in classroom-based programs to hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and pass background and fingerprint clearance checks, with limited exceptions for candidates currently enrolled in bachelor's degree programs.

Mandates that candidates without full bachelor's degrees cannot serve as the teacher of record or regularly instruct students without a certificated teacher present, except if they hold emergency or substitute certifications.

Requires school districts and charter schools to classify all candidates enrolled in their classroom-based preparation programs as paid employees.

Limits approval validity to six years, with renewal applications required before expiration; school boards retain authority to adopt additional professional and student achievement requirements beyond state minimums.