§ 6-82-2204 — Arkansas Teacher Academy - Implementation - Purpose

(a) An eligible postsecondary institution shall implement an Arkansas Teacher Academy to incentivize potential and enrolled academy attendees to: (1) Enter the teaching profession; and (2) Commit to teaching in: (A) Arkansas public schools; or (B) Critical shortage areas in Arkansas based on subject areas or geographical areas. (b) The Division of Higher Education, in consultation with public and private postsecondary institutions, shall develop and implement a centralized administrative process for each Arkansas Teacher Academy, which shall include without limitation the following: (1) A marketing and promotion plan to recruit academy attendees for an Arkansas Teacher Academy; (2) Data collection and reporting; (3) Tracking of postgraduation service requirements; (4) Coordination of induction services; (5) Distribution of moneys in the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program Fund between eligible postsecondary institutions; (6) Collection of reimbursements from individuals who fail to meet the service requirements under this subchapter; (7) A process for assessing an academy attendee's ability to repay financial assistance received under this subchapter if the academy attendee who receives financial assistance under this subchapter is physically or mentally unable to fulfill the requirements of an Arkansas Teacher Academy program; and (8) A process for deferring service or repayment required by this subchapter based on factors adopted by the division.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 57, eff. 3/8/2023.