The proposed bill would amend current Arizona statutes to require the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to conduct an annual comprehensive study on teacher retention rates in school districts and charter schools. This study would include detailed data on certificated and non-certificated teachers, their teaching assignments, locations, years of experience, and demographic segments. Additionally, the bill mandates the analysis of vacant teaching positions and the effectiveness of teacher preparation programs. The ADE would also be required to submit the study results and recommendations to state leadership and maintain a publicly accessible dashboard with the compiled data.

Furthermore, the bill appropriates $100,000 from the Teacher Certification Fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the implementation of these requirements. It also updates the information that must be included in school district budgets to reflect the number of full-time equivalent teachers disaggregated by subject area and grade level. The bill removes outdated provisions related to the display of average teacher salaries and replaces them with more relevant data requirements, ensuring that the focus remains on teacher retention and the factors influencing it.

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