The Arkansas State Board of Education (ASBE), at the February 9, 2009, regular meeting, approved Speech and Drama as separate initial licensure areas for grades (7-12). The areas will now be added to the approved listing of Areas and Levels of Licensure on the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) website.
These two licensure areas can now be offered as initial licensure areas by Arkansas colleges/universities. However, Arkansas colleges/universities interested in offering the areas for initial licensure must first submit and receive program approval from the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE). Once program approval has been granted, Arkansas colleges/universities can begin recommending students for initial licensure in the new areas.
Also, teachers that are already licensed at the secondary level (7-12), may add Speech and/or Drama to current Arkansas teaching license by taking and passing the Praxis II Specialty Area Assessment designated for either area whenever the teachers wish.
The addition of the two new licensure areas offers additional options for Arkansas School Districts and Arkansas secondary teachers. The existing Speech/Drama blended license program still exists as does the endorsements for each of the licensure areas.
Please address any questions regarding the two new licensure areas to Ron Tolson, Coordinator, Professional Licensure at 1-501-683-3126, or by e-mail at Ron.Tolson@arkansas.gov.