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.

Introduced

Last Action (Jan. 29, 2025): WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1305 mandates that the Arkansas State Board of Education issue a teaching license to individuals who do not meet traditional or alternative licensure requirements, provided they are hired by a public school district board or an open-enrollment public charter school. To qualify, candidates must possess either a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, an associate degree or trade certification with five years of related career experience, or ten years of relevant career experience. The bill outlines specific disqualifiers for licensure, including entries in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry or records of certain criminal convictions. Applicants are also required to pass state and national criminal background checks. Licenses issued under this provision are restricted to the duration of the applicant's employment with the specific school district or charter school that recommended them. Once employment ends, the license immediately expires.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries include individuals with professional experience or specialized education who wish to transition into teaching but lack traditional pedagogical training. Public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools also benefit by gaining increased flexibility to recruit and hire staff to fill vacancies, particularly in subject areas where qualified candidates may be scarce.

Who Might Suffer?

Those potentially negatively impacted include traditional educator preparation programs and professional organizations that advocate for standard pedagogical training and certification requirements. Additionally, some educators, parents, or student advocacy groups may argue that students could be negatively impacted if individuals without formal teaching training are placed in classroom settings.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us