§ 6-17-409 — Alternative educator preparation programs - Definitions

(a) As used in this section, "alternative educator preparation program" means a program of study approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for candidates holding a bachelor's degree who are preparing for licensure as teachers and leaders in public schools in this state. (b) (1) The State Board of Education may offer and operate an alternative educator preparation program. (2) (A) The division may provide grants of financial assistance to entities that train individuals seeking to obtain licensure through an alternative educator preparation program administered by the division. (B) The division shall pay the grants from funds appropriated by the General Assembly to the division for such purpose. (C) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to determine eligibility for and amount of awards of the grants concerning the operation of the alternative educator preparation program authorized by this section and for such other purposes as may be necessary in carrying out the intent of this section. (3) The division may refuse to admit for enrollment in the alternative educator preparation program administered by the division a person who has been dismissed from a teacher education program at an institution of higher education. (4) If the State Board of Education requires an applicant for licensure through an alternative educator preparation program to complete one (1) or more additional college-level courses and the applicant has obtained a bachelor's degree, the required course or courses shall be available as an online course, a traditional face-to-face course, or a hybrid course that is part online instruction and part face-to-face instruction, as approved by the division. (c) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules for the requirements for educator licensure through other alternative educator preparation programs, including without limitation: (1) A teacher or leader academy; (2) A residency program at a public school, which may be in partnership with an educator preparation program at an institution of higher education; (3) The Teach For America, Inc., program; (4) The Arkansas Teacher Corps program of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville; (5) The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence program; (6) Another alternative educator preparation program approved by the division; (7) A program conferring a master's degree in teaching from an accredited program at an institution of higher education; or (8) An alternative educator preparation program or pathway for an applicant who has professional work experience in the content area in which the applicant desires to obtain a license. (d) (1) The State Board of Education shall issue to an applicant who is in an alternative educator preparation program a provisional teaching license that is issued under the State Board of Education's rules governing provisional licensure. (2) A provisional license is valid for the entire period that the applicant: (A) Is participating in the alternative educator preparation program; (B) Has not been determined to have an ethics violation under § 6-17-428 ; and (C) Is teaching in an Arkansas public school. (3) A provisional license may be extended for up to three (3) years after an applicant completes an alternative educator preparation program if the applicant is working to meet requirements for a standard license. (e) Academic or experience requirements for obtaining an Arkansas teaching license in addition to those identified in subsections (c) and (d) of this section shall not be imposed on an applicant who has completed one of the programs under subdivisions (c)(3)-(5) and who otherwise meets the requirements of this section by: (A) The State Board of Education; (B) The division; or (C) An Arkansas state-funded college or university. (f) Each applicant for a provisional license under this section shall successfully complete the criminal records checks and Child Maltreatment Central Registry check under § 6-17-410 before the division may issue the license. (g) A provisional license issued under this section is equivalent to a standard license for the purpose of applying for a Driver's Education Licensure Endorsement through the Additional Licensure Plan.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2023, No. 732,§ 5, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2023, No. 416,§ 4, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2023, No. 416,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023. Amended by Act 2019, No. 692,§ 17, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 540,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1382, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1381, eff. 7/1/2019. Amended by Act 2017, No. 416,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2017, No. 294,§ 4, eff. 8/1/2017. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1121,§ 2, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1121,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1090,§ 6, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2015, No. 1090,§ 5, eff. 7/22/2015. Amended by Act 2013EX1, No. 2,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2014. Amended by Act 2013, No. 454,§ 3, eff. 8/16/2013. Amended by Act 2013, No. 454,§ 2, eff. 8/16/2013. Amended by Act 2013, No. 413,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013. Acts 1991, No. 308, § 1; 2005, No. 2151, § 17; 2007, No. 704, § 1; 2011, No. 989, § 37; 2011, No. 1178, § 2.