The proposed bill would introduce several significant updates to current statutes regarding teacher retention and salary transparency in Arizona. It mandates the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to conduct an annual study on teacher retention rates, a requirement not currently specified in existing law. This study will include various metrics such as turnover rates, vacant teaching positions, and an analysis of teacher preparation programs. Additionally, the bill requires the State Board of Education and the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools to provide necessary data to ADE, which must maintain a publicly accessible dashboard with the study results. The bill also allocates $100,000 from the Teacher Certification Fund for this purpose in FY 2026.

Moreover, the bill expands the data required in school district and charter school budgets by mandating the inclusion of the number of full-time equivalent teachers, disaggregated by subject area and grade level. This new requirement aims to enhance transparency in teacher employment practices. The bill modifies existing requirements for displaying teacher salary information, ensuring that districts report the specified data. Overall, these updates are designed to improve accountability and provide a comprehensive understanding of teacher retention and staffing challenges within Arizona's educational system.

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