In order to receive federal funds for services to students with disabilities, the state education agency (SEA) must have approved State policies and procedures which meet all requirements of federal statutes and regulations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, Public Law 105-17. One requirement set forth in Part B is that the SEA must ensure “that personnel …are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained. To the extent that such standards are not based on the highest requirements in the State applicable to a specific profession or discipline, the steps the State is taking to require the retraining or hiring of personnel that meet appropriate professional requirements in the State must be specified in the State’s policies and procedures.”
For professionals in the field of vision education, the highest standard in the State is licensure as a Special Education Vision Specialist. To assist individuals who are affected by this requirement, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) will provide stipends to them so that they may obtain the necessary coursework to qualify for licensure. Individuals holding a valid teaching license are eligible to apply for this program.
The ADE is dedicating a portion of the discretionary funds it receives under Part B of IDEA 97 to assist individuals with this cost. Individuals eligible for a stipend will be reimbursed at a rate of actual cost up to $150 per course, up to 18 hours per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), to cover tuition and registration fees. Each individual will receive $175 reimbursement per term/semester not to exceed $700 per fiscal year to cover incidental costs of books, travel, etc. Reimbursement will be made upon proof of successful completion of the coursework accompanied by a completed reimbursement request form.
Attached is an application form for participation in this effort. Stipends can not be paid to any individual who has not completed an application for the program prior to the commencement of coursework and received notification from the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education, that he/she has been accepted. As available funds are limited, applicants will be processed in the order received until funding is exhausted.
Priority for receipt of a stipend will be given to eligible individuals currently employed by school districts who agree to work in an Arkansas school district at the completion of this stipend for a period of time not less than the same length of time stipends are provided to the individual. Please make this information available to all eligible personnel interested in obtaining the necessary coursework to qualify for licensure as a Special Education Vision Specialist.
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Arkansas Department of Education
Special Education
Grants and Data Management
4 Capitol Mall, Room 105-C
Little Rock, AR 72201-1071