HB1305
To Require The State Board Of Education To Issue A Teaching License To An Individual Who Does Not Meet Traditional Or Alternative Licensure Requirements Under Certain Conditions.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1305, proposes to amend Arkansas Code § 6-17-410 to allow the State Board of Education to issue teaching licenses under specific conditions to individuals who do not meet traditional or alternative licensure requirements. To be eligible, an individual must be approved for licensure and hire by a public school district or an open-enrollment public charter school. These approving bodies would be required to submit a letter requesting the license. Eligibility for such a license would require either a bachelor's degree in a related subject, an associate degree or trade certification with five years of relevant experience, or ten years of career experience in the subject area. The bill outlines several disqualifications, including a true report in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry, certain criminal convictions, and failure to complete required criminal background checks. Licenses issued under this provision would be temporary, valid only for the duration of employment with the recommending school district or charter school. Upon the conclusion of employment, the license would expire. The bill aims to address potential staffing needs within public schools.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools in Arkansas facing teacher shortages. These institutions would gain an additional pathway to hire individuals who possess relevant experience or educational backgrounds but may not meet the state's standard licensure criteria. Furthermore, individuals who have practical experience or a degree in a specific subject area, but have not completed traditional teacher preparation programs, would benefit by having an opportunity to enter the teaching profession. This could potentially include individuals from various career fields or those with associate degrees and certifications.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups potentially negatively impacted by this bill include current teachers who have met traditional or alternative licensure requirements, as they may perceive a dilution of professional standards. Additionally, students could be negatively impacted if individuals hired under this provisional licensure lack pedagogical training and classroom management skills, potentially affecting the quality of education. The State Board of Education and the Division of Arkansas State Police could face increased administrative burdens in processing and overseeing these non-traditional licenses and the associated background checks. There is also a potential for negative impact on the public perception of the teaching profession's rigor and qualifications.