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Panel advances bill to let private colleges join Arizona Teachers Academy, includes $10 million appropriation
Summary
The House Appropriations Committee gave House Bill 2018 a due-pass recommendation on Jan. 22, a measure that would allow eligible private postsecondary institutions to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy and appropriates $10 million into the Academy fund.
PHOENIX
On Jan. 22, the Arizona House Committee on Appropriations voted to give House Bill 2018 a due-pass recommendation. The bill would allow eligible degree-granting private postsecondary institutions that offer post-baccalaureate teacher-preparation programs to participate in the Arizona Teachers Academy and would appropriate $10 million from the state general fund into the academy fund.
The sponsor said the measure is intended to expand the teacher pipeline amid what he called a statewide shortage. "We have thousands of teacher vacancies," Vice Chair Representative Matt Gress said. "This bill's last-dollar cap aligns private institutions with the average in-state tuition and fees charged by Arizona public universities." Gress said the bill caps private institution reimbursement at the public-university last-dollar amount and requires institutions to cover any gap.
Meredith Critchfield, dean of the College of Education at Grand Canyon University, testified in support and described GCU's retention and placement record. "We are serving public schools," Critchfield said, noting she estimated roughly 2,000 GCU students identify as Arizona residents and that many of GCU's graduates teach in-state.
Opponents on the committee raised constitutional and policy concerns about directing public funds to private, including religiously affiliated, institutions and warned about drawing money away from state universities and community colleges. Representative Boston said she was concerned state dollars would be diverted from the public institutions the state has a constitutional responsibility to support and voted no.
Committee outcome: The committee gave HB 2018 a due-pass recommendation. The chairman counted 10 yeses, 7 noes and 1 not voting. The recommendation moves the bill to the next legislative step but does not appropriate money to the governor's desk; any appropriation must still be reconciled in the budget process.
Ending: Sponsors said they view the bill and appropriation as one tool to address teacher shortages statewide; opponents urged prioritizing funding for public universities and community colleges.
