Frequently Asked Questions concerning Nontraditional Licensure / Mentoring
Can a private school teacher apply for the nontraditional licensure program in Arkansas?
Yes, the Arkansas Professional Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL) program is open to private school teachers. The guidelines and application for the program can be found at the following link: http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/human-resources-educator-effectiveness-and-licensure/office-of-educator-effectiveness/arkansas-professional-pathway-to-educator-licensure-appel
Are teachers in the APPEL program that work in private schools required to participate in the state's mentoring program?
No. Although all participates must have a mentor, the program can be designed by the individual school.
Are novice teachers in private schools required to participate in the state's mentoring program?
No, only public school teachers are required to participate in the Teacher Induction Mentoring program. Private school teachers will be issued a standard teaching license and not be required to officially be mentored while employed in a private school. If a teacher were to transfer to a public school, at that point, they would have to participate in the state's mentoring program regardless of how long they have been teaching. More information can be found at the following link: http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/human-resources-educator-effectiveness-and-licensure/office-of-educator-effectiveness/teacher-inductionmentoring
Can a private school teacher apply for the nontraditional licensure program in Arkansas?
Yes, the Arkansas Professional Pathway to Educator Licensure (APPEL) program is open to private school teachers. The guidelines and application for the program can be found at the following link: http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/human-resources-educator-effectiveness-and-licensure/office-of-educator-effectiveness/arkansas-professional-pathway-to-educator-licensure-appel
Are teachers in the APPEL program that work in private schools required to participate in the state's mentoring program?
No. Although all participates must have a mentor, the program can be designed by the individual school.
Are novice teachers in private schools required to participate in the state's mentoring program?
No, only public school teachers are required to participate in the Teacher Induction Mentoring program. Private school teachers will be issued a standard teaching license and not be required to officially be mentored while employed in a private school. If a teacher were to transfer to a public school, at that point, they would have to participate in the state's mentoring program regardless of how long they have been teaching. More information can be found at the following link: http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/human-resources-educator-effectiveness-and-licensure/office-of-educator-effectiveness/teacher-inductionmentoring
Frequently Asked Questions concerning Professional Development
How is professional development provided by ANSAA?
ANSAA, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education Professional Development office, coordinates professional development opportunities utilizing Title IIA funds for educators and administrators in all Arkansas nonpublic schools. Topics for summer workshops and the ANSAA Annual Meeting in November are established utilizing data collected each year in a needs assessment survey sent to nonpublic schools throughout the state.
To access information about upcoming summer workshops or the ANSAA Annual Meeting each November, click on the link provided or go to the corresponding tab found under "Professional Development."
What are the current requirements for renewing an AR Teaching License?
Teachers seeking to renew an AR Teaching License will be required to have 36 professional development hours per year to renew their teaching license. See "Legislative/Laws" tab for additional information.
Will ANSAA schools be required to have 36 hours of professional development per year?
ANSAA Standards 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 refer to in-service / professional development but do not state a required number of hours. Some schools may want to add more in-service days to their yearly calendars to help teachers meet the requirements for renewing Arkansas Teaching Licenses (36 professional development hours per year); again this will be left to individual ANSAA schools. The private schools are not required by law to add more in-service days to the yearly school calendar.
How will professional development hours be tracked in the nonpublic schools?
Check with the head of the school on the method that will be used to verify the hours within in your school system.
What areas will the state accept as professional development hours?
According to the Arkansas Department of Education, professional development hours are a set of coordinated planned learning activities for educators that: improves the knowledge, skills and effectiveness of teachers, including the ability to apply what is learned; improves the knowledge and skills of administrators and paraprofessionals concerning effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills, including the ability to apply what is learned; leads to improved student achievement; is research-based and standards-based; may incorporate educational technology as a component of the professional development, including without limitation taking or teaching an online or blended course; and may provide educators with knowledge and skills needed to address individualized needs of students. Any of the following activities may be counted if they relate to that goal: conferences, workshops, institutes, mentoring, peer coaching, study groups, learning teams, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification, distance and online learning, internships, state/district/school programs, action research, individual-guided and approved college/university course work.
How many professional development hours can be counted as college/university course work?
A three hour college credit course counts as 15 hours of professional development, provided the college credit is related to and enhances the teacher's knowledge of the subject area in which the teacher is currently teaching or is part of the requirements for the teacher to obtain additional certification. No more that half of the hours of professional development required annually for licensure may be met through college credit hours.
What focus areas are accepted for professional development?
The following areas are accepted for professional development:
Do professional development requirements different for classroom teachers and school administrators?
All administrators need professional development hours in data disaggregating, instructional leadership, and fiscal management.
Do classroom teachers have specific training that must be met for certification?
Each teacher shall be required to have training in the specific subject areas outlined below. These two (2) hours may be included in the 36 hours required for professional development.
Child Maltreatment Mandated Reporter: In the 2021-2022 school year and every fourth year thereafter, all educators shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in Child Maltreatment; this training has to be completed by the end of June, 2014. The training can be done through Arkansas IDEAS.
Parent Involvement: In the 2022-2023 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, each teacher and school administrator shall be required to have two (2) hours of professional development designed to enhance understanding of effective parent involvement strategies.
Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention/Bullying: In the 2023-2024 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, all educators shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in teen suicide awareness and prevention.
Arkansas History: In the 2024-2025 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, each teacher who provides instruction in Arkansas history shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in Arkansas history.
Science of Reading -- The Right to Read Act (1063) states: “By the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year: A) All teachers employed in a teaching position that requires an elementary education (K-6) license or special education (K-12) license shall demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction; and B) All other teachers shall demonstrate awareness in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction.” Here is a link to options to meet this requirement.
How is professional development provided by ANSAA?
ANSAA, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education Professional Development office, coordinates professional development opportunities utilizing Title IIA funds for educators and administrators in all Arkansas nonpublic schools. Topics for summer workshops and the ANSAA Annual Meeting in November are established utilizing data collected each year in a needs assessment survey sent to nonpublic schools throughout the state.
To access information about upcoming summer workshops or the ANSAA Annual Meeting each November, click on the link provided or go to the corresponding tab found under "Professional Development."
What are the current requirements for renewing an AR Teaching License?
Teachers seeking to renew an AR Teaching License will be required to have 36 professional development hours per year to renew their teaching license. See "Legislative/Laws" tab for additional information.
Will ANSAA schools be required to have 36 hours of professional development per year?
ANSAA Standards 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 refer to in-service / professional development but do not state a required number of hours. Some schools may want to add more in-service days to their yearly calendars to help teachers meet the requirements for renewing Arkansas Teaching Licenses (36 professional development hours per year); again this will be left to individual ANSAA schools. The private schools are not required by law to add more in-service days to the yearly school calendar.
How will professional development hours be tracked in the nonpublic schools?
Check with the head of the school on the method that will be used to verify the hours within in your school system.
What areas will the state accept as professional development hours?
According to the Arkansas Department of Education, professional development hours are a set of coordinated planned learning activities for educators that: improves the knowledge, skills and effectiveness of teachers, including the ability to apply what is learned; improves the knowledge and skills of administrators and paraprofessionals concerning effective instructional strategies, methods, and skills, including the ability to apply what is learned; leads to improved student achievement; is research-based and standards-based; may incorporate educational technology as a component of the professional development, including without limitation taking or teaching an online or blended course; and may provide educators with knowledge and skills needed to address individualized needs of students. Any of the following activities may be counted if they relate to that goal: conferences, workshops, institutes, mentoring, peer coaching, study groups, learning teams, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification, distance and online learning, internships, state/district/school programs, action research, individual-guided and approved college/university course work.
How many professional development hours can be counted as college/university course work?
A three hour college credit course counts as 15 hours of professional development, provided the college credit is related to and enhances the teacher's knowledge of the subject area in which the teacher is currently teaching or is part of the requirements for the teacher to obtain additional certification. No more that half of the hours of professional development required annually for licensure may be met through college credit hours.
What focus areas are accepted for professional development?
The following areas are accepted for professional development:
- content (K-12)
- instructional strategies
- assessment / data-driven decision making
- advocacy/leadership/fiscal management
- systemic change process
- standards, frameworks, and curriculum alignment
- supervision
- mentoring/peer coaching
- next generation learning/integrated technology
- principles of learning/developmental stages/diverse learners
- cognitive research
- parent involvement/academic planning & scholarship
- collaborative learning community
- student health and wellness
- the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators
Do professional development requirements different for classroom teachers and school administrators?
All administrators need professional development hours in data disaggregating, instructional leadership, and fiscal management.
Do classroom teachers have specific training that must be met for certification?
Each teacher shall be required to have training in the specific subject areas outlined below. These two (2) hours may be included in the 36 hours required for professional development.
Child Maltreatment Mandated Reporter: In the 2021-2022 school year and every fourth year thereafter, all educators shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in Child Maltreatment; this training has to be completed by the end of June, 2014. The training can be done through Arkansas IDEAS.
Parent Involvement: In the 2022-2023 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, each teacher and school administrator shall be required to have two (2) hours of professional development designed to enhance understanding of effective parent involvement strategies.
Teen Suicide Awareness and Prevention/Bullying: In the 2023-2024 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, all educators shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in teen suicide awareness and prevention.
Arkansas History: In the 2024-2025 school year and every fourth school year thereafter, each teacher who provides instruction in Arkansas history shall obtain two (2) hours of professional development in Arkansas history.
Science of Reading -- The Right to Read Act (1063) states: “By the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year: A) All teachers employed in a teaching position that requires an elementary education (K-6) license or special education (K-12) license shall demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction; and B) All other teachers shall demonstrate awareness in knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction.” Here is a link to options to meet this requirement.
Additional information on current Professional Development rules can be found on the Arkansas Department of Education website: http://www.arkansased.org/divisions/legal/rules/current#P