The State Board of Education has recently approved three new licensure endorsements.
•Speech – 7-12
•Drama – 7-12
•Algebra I Endorsement For Grade 8
Additional Licensure Plans (ALP’s) have been developed and are now available on the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) website. The Additional Licensure Plans may be found by clicking on teachers, licensure, then adding an area of licensure to an existing Arkansas license.
Each of the licensure endorsement areas requires a program of study (coursework) and a Praxis II Specialty Area Assessment. Teachers will need to contact an Arkansas college/university that has an approved program for information on the required program of study. Each Additional Licensure Plan will have a listing of the competencies that should be included in the program of study. However, the specific courses covering the competencies will be identified by each college/university with an approved program for the endorsement areas.
There are three options available for the Algebra I Endorsement for Grade 8. Please review the Additional Licensure Plans for each of the options carefully. The correct option will be determined by the middle school area of licensure currently held, when that area was issued and whether or not licensure was granted through a Non-Traditional Licensure Program or an Arkansas college/university traditional teacher education program. Pay particular attention to the second paragraph under the heading: Required Content Background. Two options for the Algebra I Endorsement for Grade 8 require an approved, one-week professional development program with follow up sessions held throughout the school year.
Teachers currently holding a three-year Initial or five-year Standard teaching license may be employed out of their licensure area under the Additional Licensure Plan for any of the three endorsement areas. School districts shall file a waiver request with the Office of Professional Licensure for all teachers employed out-of-area under an Additional Licensure Plan.
Please direct questions regarding the new endorsement areas to Ron Tolson at ron.tolson@arkansas.gov or by phone at 501-683-3126.