The Arkansas Department of Education will be continuing the Administrative Policy through the 2003-2004 school year, approving those teachers licensed in regular Early Childhood P-4 and Special Education Early Childhood P-4, to be employed at the fifth and sixth grade levels.
Current data suggest that the number of teachers being licensed at the new Middle Childhood 4-8 level is not sufficient to meet staffing needs at the fifth and sixth grade levels at this time.
Since this policy is not intended to be a permanent solution to the staffing issues at the fifth and sixth grade levels, the approval to teach at these levels will come directly through Standards Assurance and will not be reflected on the current teaching license.