The Office of Professional Licensure would like to expand the automatic renewal of teaching licenses for teachers and administrators to include licensed personnel employed by educational cooperatives.
The Department believes this can be accomplished simply by having the Co-Op Director verify on a standardized Arkansas Department of Education verification form, those teachers/administrators who have: 1) worked for the co-op the last effective year of the employee's license, 2) have completed at least one criminal background check and 3) have completed the required professional development.
Sixty (60) hours of professional development are required annually, beginning with the 2005-2006 school year. Therefore, if the license expires in 2006, 60 hours are required for renewal; if the license expires in 2007, then 120 hours are required, etc.
Since the professional development year will not end until May 31 or June 30, the list of eligible teachers/administrators for automatic renewal shall not be submitted by the educational co-op until after those dates.
Please contact Ron Tolson, Coordinator, Professional Licensure at 501-683-3126 or by e-mail at rtolson@arkedu.k12.ar.us with comments or suggestions regarding the inclusion of co-op certified personnel in the automatic licensure renewal process.