The State Board of Education recently adopted policy providing new options for teachers with middle grades licensure to qualify for endorsement to teach Algebra I at Grade 8. The requirements for the endorsement were outlined in Commissioners Memo LIC-09-001 posted on 7/09/2008.
Colleges and universities have submitted course descriptions that may be incorporated into a plan leading to the Grade 8 Algebra I endorsement. There is one component of the endorsement for teachers licensed prior to 2002 that requires candidates attend a one-week professional development event with follow-up. A task-force formed by the Department of Education created the content for this event, which will be offered at different sites across the state beginning this summer. The initial training will be hosted by the Arkansas Center for Mathematics and Science Education on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas on June 8 – June 12, 2009.
Teachers may register for the training via Web access. A registration fee of $100.00 per participant will be used to provide lunch each day as well as morning and afternoon beverage breaks. Required instructional materials as well as a resource manual will be provided through the center. Details about the daily schedule as well as options for local accommodations will be provided to registered participants by June 1, 2009.
Questions about eligibility or participation in the workshop should be directed to Dr. Charles D. Watson, Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Central Arkansas charlesw@uca.edu or 501-450-5681 or to the Arkansas Center for Mathematics and Science Education 501-450-3426.
On-Line Registration URL: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cG81cTF6RzRPRVh2c2dQUjAxZENDVHc6MA