A significant step has been taken in the Arizona state Senate this week as a bill progresses to broaden the scholarship options for community college students aspiring to enter the teaching profession. This initiative could pave the way for a more inclusive approach to teacher education funding.
The Arizona Teachers Academy, established in 2018, offers scholarships to students who pledge to teach in public schools within the state after completing their education. Initially, this program did not include community college students pursuing bachelor’s degrees, as these institutions were not authorized to offer such degrees until 2021.
Lauren Armour, serving as the Government Relations director for the Maricopa County Community College District, highlights the current eligibility gap. Students at community colleges, who already possess a bachelor’s degree and are simply seeking a teaching certificate, qualify for the scholarships. However, those embarking on a bachelor’s degree path at a community college do not yet have access to these funds.
“So SB 1247 allows our bachelor’s of education students to apply to receive the Arizona Teachers Academy scholarship, just like their peers at the universities,” Armour explained.
Currently, about 4,000 students are engaged in the bachelor’s of education programs at Maricopa community colleges. Armour emphasizes the importance of allowing these students to apply for scholarships, stating, “We just want them to be allowed to apply. That’s critically important because with a limited pool of funds and our lowest in-county tuition, we can get up to four times as many teachers for the state investment by including Maricopa Community College students in this program.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: KJZZ is licensed to the Maricopa County Community College District.
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