The bill HB2608 amends Title 15, Chapter 5, Article 1 of the Arizona Revised Statutes by adding Section 15-501.02, which pertains to school employees. It directs the State Board of Education (SBE) to conduct an annual comprehensive study to determine the retention rate of teachers in Arizona's school districts and charter schools. The study must include categories identified by the SBE, any additional categories identified by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC), and an analysis of data for each SBE-approved teacher preparation program. This analysis should cover program completion, program emphasis (including subject area and grade level), and the number of years individuals work as teachers in Arizona after completing the program.

The Arizona Department of Education and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools are required to collect and provide any data or information requested by the SBE for the study. By December 31, 2024, and annually thereafter, the SBE must submit the study results and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and provide a copy to the Secretary of State. The bill removes previous requirements for the study to include the number of teachers, retention rate, turnover rate, and number of vacant teaching positions, and it eliminates the requirement for a school district's or charter school's budget to include the number of full-time equivalent teachers for the current year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-501.02
House Engrossed Version: 15-189.05, 15-501.02, 15-903, 15-501.01, 15-183
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-501.02