ADE Director's Communication Memo Form


Memo Number : LIC-08-009

Date Created : 08/07/2007

Attention:

Superintendents
Co-op Directors
Elementary Principals
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
other: Co-Op Coordinators

Type of Memo: Informational
Response Required: Optional
   
Section:   Human Resources/Licensure - Beverly A. Williams, Assistant Commissioner
Subject:
Non-Traditional Licensure Program Additional Fall Cohort

Regulatory Authority:
N/A

Contact Person:
Barbara Culpepper

Phone Number:
501-682-5535

E-mail:
barbara.culpepper@arkansas.gov

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is offering an additional fall instructional cycle for the 2007 Non-Traditional Licensure Program (NTLP). This fall cohort is being offered predominantly to meet school districts’ needs in critical academic shortage areas as approved by the State Board of Education. Initial instructional modules will be held during the weeks of August 24-28, September 10-14, and September 24-28, 2007. Information about the NTLP can be found at www.TeachArkansas.org. School District Administrators referring teachers to this program should note the following:

1. Candidates must:
a) Submit an NTLP application. Applications are available at the Office of Teacher Quality or by email upon request and can be completed and mailed with other required documentation.
b) Submit original transcripts from all universities attended, documenting a bachelor’s degree or higher (with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours of coursework attempted).
c) Submit original passing score reports for the Praxis I exam or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) if the candidate has a Master’s Degree. (It is recommended that the Praxis I Basic Skills Assessments be taken at one of the many approved computer-based testing sites since this assessment is available on demand.)
d) Submit original passing score reports for the Praxis II test(s) in the content area of licensure. Candidates need to contact Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 1-800-772-9476 and register for the September 8, 2007 testing date. If needed, each testing site can advise candidates about availability of standby status. All tests must be completed by September 8, 2007. Candidates may register for the Praxis exams on-line at www.ets.org/praxis/prxar.html.
e) Complete a state required criminal background check with the Arkansas State Police and submit a copy of the completed fingerprint card with the application documentation
f) Submit the $1,200 annual program fee by money order or cashier’s check (or a check on a school district account) payable to ADE-NTLP. (Personal checks are not acceptable.)

All documentation is to be sent to NTLP, Arkansas Department of Education, 501 Woodlane (Suite 220-C), Little Rock, AR 72201.

2. Due to program capacity, this cohort is limited to 30 candidates on a priority-driven first-come, first-served basis. Candidates must have been offered a teaching position in an Arkansas public school district in one of the following critical academic shortage areas: Art (grades P-12), Physical/Earth Science (grades 7-12), Life/Earth Science (grades 7-12), Mathematics (grades 7-12), Foreign Language (any language, any grade). Middle Childhood and Early Childhood will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

3. Candidates must submit an Employment Eligibility Form (from NTL) completed by the appropriate school administrator from the hiring school district. If the candidate has not tested in time to receive scores back before 8/27/07, then the signed Conditional Enrollment Agreement must be completed and submitted prior to starting instructional modules.

4. Instruction dates are Aug. 27-31, Sept. 10-14, Sept. 24-28, 2007
a) Site location: Southeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative, 1022 Scoggin Drive, Monticello, AR
b) Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm daily.
c) Attendance is mandatory for all Instructional Modules.

5. Subsequent instruction for program completion (November, 2007 to May, 2009)
a) In November 2007, after successful completion of the initial phase of instruction, teachers will be assigned to their choice of an instructional site for completion of the program ('07-'08 monthly Saturdays, three weeks in the Summer of 2008, and seven Saturdays in ’08-’09).
b) Regional site locations are:
Van Buren School District, Van Buren
Fayetteville School District, Fayetteville
Arkansas State University at Beebe
Arkansas State University at Jonesboro
Pulaski Technical Institute, North Little Rock
Southwest Arkansas Educational Cooperative, Hope
Southeast Arkansas Educational Cooperative, Monticello

The Arkansas Department of Education is making this avenue of Non-Traditional Licensure available to help meet the needs of school districts having difficulty filling shortage area teaching positions this fall. In addition school districts should note that 200+ teachers are presently enrolled in the summer NTL cohort who have not yet found teaching positions. The Teacher Recruitment Office and NTLP may be able to offer assistance to school districts with these teachers as well.

Questions should be forwarded to Ms. Barbara Culpepper at the address above or at (501) 682-5535.

Attachments:
    None

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