RELATING TO EDUCATION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 18 co-sponsors

HB 1496 raises Arkansas teacher licensure standards and requires ongoing professional development, ensuring students are taught by qualified educators for better education.

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 789) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

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Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1496 (HB 1496) aims to amend existing provisions of the Arkansas Code to ensure that students in Arkansas are taught by qualified teachers. The bill focuses on enhancing educator licensure requirements and professional development standards, thereby improving the overall quality of education in the state.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several significant changes to the licensure and professional development requirements for teachers:

Continuing Education and Professional Development:

Teachers must participate in continuing education and professional development based on their evaluation and professional growth plans.
The bill specifies that five hours of professional development credit will be awarded for each hour of college credit earned in graduate-level courses that enhance the teacher's subject area knowledge or fulfill licensure requirements in critical shortage areas.

Licensure Exceptions:

The bill outlines specific licensure exceptions for teachers who may not be fully licensed, including:
- Emergency teaching permits for non-licensed teachers meeting state qualifications.
- Technical permits in cooperation with the Division of Career and Technical Education.
- Aspiring Teacher permits and other exceptions for long-term substitutes.

Long-term Substitute Teachers:

The bill allows public school districts to request the use of long-term substitutes for a specified period, not extending beyond the school year for which the request is made.

Approval and Oversight:

Professional development credits must be approved by the employing school district or the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education if the educator is not employed by a district.

Affected Parties

Teachers: The bill directly impacts teachers by establishing stricter requirements for licensure renewal and professional development.

Students: The ultimate beneficiaries are Arkansas students, who will be taught by more qualified educators.

School Districts: Districts will need to adapt to the new requirements for hiring and training teachers, as well as managing long-term substitutes.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: February 17, 2025

Status: Reported from the Judiciary and House Administration (JHA) committee as amended, with a recommendation for referral to the Finance (FIN) committee.

Legislative Timeline:

The bill has undergone multiple readings and amendments in both the House and Senate.
It was passed by the House on March 5, 2025, and subsequently passed by the Senate on March 13, 2025.
The bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on March 14, 2025.

Conclusion

HB 1496 represents a significant step towards enhancing the quality of education in Arkansas by ensuring that teachers meet higher standards of qualification and professional development. By implementing these changes, the bill aims to create a more effective educational environment for students across the state.

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