Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-554 – School districts and charter schools; locally based school leadership preparation program providers; certification; rules

A. In addition to any alternative preparation program provider path approved by the state board of education, a school district or charter school may apply to the state board of education for authority to approve the certification of principals, assistant principals, supervisors and other school-level leadership positions as a locally based school leadership preparation program provider.
B. The state board of education shall adopt rules, policies and procedures to be administered by the department of education. The rules may not be more restrictive or require more than is prescribed in this section. The rules shall facilitate the approval and certification process pursuant to this section and provide for all of the following:
1. 1. The superintendent of a school district or the principal of a charter school must verify that the applicant for certification has made satisfactory progress in the program sequence and model, which may include professional evaluations of the applicant, observations of the applicant, student achievement data and demonstration of competencies, skills and knowledge associated with the relevant school leadership position.
2. 2. A school district or charter school must submit a program sequence or training schedule along with any information regarding the learning experiences, mentoring and coaching of school leader candidates. The state board of education shall provide for a variety of options in program sequence, content and design and may not require a prescribed program sequence, content or design from the school district or charter school in order to obtain approval from the state board.
3. 3. A school district or charter school must submit evidence supporting the efficacy of the school district's or charter school's preparation program. A school district or charter school may contract with a third-party provider to provide or assist in the preparation program and may use that program's efficacy evidence to meet the requirements of this paragraph.
4. 4. A school district or charter school may adopt professional expectations and requirements that exceed the requirements prescribed by this section, including requiring candidates to complete specified coursework or trainings.
5. 5. An applicant for certification pursuant to this section must hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited public or private postsecondary institution and meet background and fingerprint clearance card requirements pursuant to section 15-534.
6. 6. An applicant pursuing certification pursuant to this section must demonstrate subject knowledge and professional knowledge through any available option pursuant to section 15-533.
7. 7. The application for a school district or charter school to be a locally based school leadership program provider must include the following:
  1. (a) The name of the school district or charter school applying.
  2. (b) A list of all staff members responsible for administering the program and the roles and responsibilities of each person.
  3. (c) The areas of certification for which the applicant will offer the program.
  4. (d) A description of the program.
C. On the submission of verification from a school district or charter school that the requirements prescribed in this section have been met, the state board shall issue a standard principal, assistant principal, supervisor or other school-level leadership position certificate to the individual.
D. Notwithstanding any other law, a school district or charter school may hire and enroll into its preparation program any candidate who meets the requirements of subsection B, paragraph 5 of this section.
E. If a school district or charter school is approved as a locally based school leadership program provider pursuant to this section, the approval is valid for six years after the date of approval. To continue as a locally based school leadership program provider, the school district or charter school must apply for renewal before the expiration of its current approval. If the application for renewal is approved by the state board of education, the renewal is valid for six years after the date of the approval.