certification requirements; private school teachers

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on private school administrators or boards being affected by the bill.

Certification Requirements for Private School Teachers Working with Blind or Visually Impaired Students

This bill requires private school teachers who instruct blind or visually impaired students to obtain special certification from a recognized board or complete an approved university program.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the State Board of Education to set rules for certifying private school teachers who work with blind or visually impaired students.
• Private school teachers must either have a valid certification from a nationally or internationally recognized organization or complete a university-level teacher preparation program that meets state standards.

Who It Names or Affects

• Teachers in private schools who instruct blind or visually impaired students

Terms To Know

Certification

A document proving a teacher has the necessary skills to teach specific subjects, especially those related to special education.

State Board of Education (SBE)

The group responsible for making rules and setting standards in Arizona's public schools, which now includes requirements for private school teachers who work with blind or visually impaired students.

Limits and Unknowns

• It is not clear what the specific penalties are for non-compliance.
• The bill does not specify when these requirements will take effect.

Official Summary Text

SB1576 - certification requirements; private school teachers

Current Bill Text

SB1576 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
certification requirements; private school teachers

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1576

Introduced by

Senator
Epstein

AN
ACT

amending title 15, chapter 2, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-214.01; relating to the
state board of education.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 15, chapter 2, article 1,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-214.01, to read:

START_STATUTE
15-214.01.

Certification requirements; private school teachers; blind and
visually impaired pupils; rules

A. Notwithstanding section 15-161,
the state board of education shall require teachers who provide instruction to
pupils who are blind or visually impaired in a private school in this state to
either:

1. Obtain a valid certification for
teachers who provide instruction to pupils who are blind or visually impaired
that is issued by either:

(
a
) A
nationally recognized board that certifies professionals who work with
individuals who are blind or visually impaired in education and rehabilitation.

(
b
) An
internationally recognized organization that certifies professionals who serve
individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

2. Successfully complete a university-level
teacher preparation program that meets or exceeds standards prescribed by the
state board of education for teachers who educate pupils who are blind and
visually impaired.

B. The state board of education may
adopt rules to implement this section.
END_STATUTE