Bill > HB1496

This bill amends Arkansas education code to modify teacher licensing and professional development requirements. The bill changes how teachers renew their teaching licenses by adjusting continuing education guidelines, removing some previous detailed rules about graduate-level course credits for professional development, and simplifying the process. It introduces a new licensure plan mechanism that allows teachers to teach in areas where they are not fully licensed, with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education able to approve such plans for up to three years, with a potential one-time two-year extension for extenuating circumstances. The bill also establishes that school districts can request long-term substitute teachers for a specified period not extending beyond the current school year. These changes aim to provide more flexibility in teacher licensing while maintaining standards for educational quality, potentially addressing teacher shortages by creating alternative pathways for educators to teach in different content areas or grade levels while working towards full licensure.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1496&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R