Director's Memo ACC-02-049 dated September 27, 2001, stated that the Office of Professional Licensure will cease the issuance and adding of all approval areas to an existing Arkansas teaching license beginning January 1, 2002.
A review of this policy change and the potential negative effect it may have on school districts, indicate that the school districts have not been provided sufficient time to adequately plan for the transitioning of the approval process to the new performance-based licensure system.
The Department of Education is keenly aware of the role " Approvals" serve in the staffing of positions within many school districts. Therefore, the deadline for the approval process of December 31, 2001, is being extended until a more satisfactory transition plan for this process can be developed.
Comments regarding a transition plan for the approval process are welcomed. Please direct comments to Ron Tolson.