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HB 1305

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.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Wade Andrews and 1 co-sponsor

HB 1305 aimed to ease teacher shortages in Arkansas by allowing schools to license candidates lacking traditional qualifications, boosting hiring flexibility.

WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
0
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Bill Summary · HB 1305

Summary of House Bill 1305

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1305
  • Title: 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
  • Status: Withdrawn by Author
  • Introduced: January 29, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1305 aimed to amend the Arkansas Code to allow the State Board of Education to issue teaching licenses to individuals who do not meet the traditional or alternative licensure requirements, provided they meet specific conditions. The intent was to address potential teacher shortages by broadening the pool of candidates eligible for teaching positions in public schools and open-enrollment charter schools.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to the existing licensure process:

  1. Eligibility for Licensure:

    • The State Board of Education would be required to issue a teaching license to individuals who:
      • Do not meet the educational requirements for a traditional license.
      • Do not qualify through alternative educator preparation programs.
      • Have been approved for licensure and hire by a public school district or an open-enrollment charter school.

  2. Approval Process:

    • A public school district or charter school that hires such an individual must submit a letter to the State Board requesting the issuance of a license.

  3. Educational Requirements:

    • To qualify for a license, an individual must possess one of the following:
      • A bachelor's degree in a relevant subject area.
      • An associate degree or trade certification plus five years of documented career experience in a related subject.
      • Ten years of career experience in a relevant subject area.

  4. Disqualifications:

    • Individuals would be ineligible for licensure if they:
      • Have a true report in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry.
      • Have pled guilty or been found guilty of certain offenses.
      • Have failed to pass a criminal records check.
      • Have not provided fingerprints for a criminal records check.

  5. License Validity:

    • Licenses issued under this provision would be valid only for the duration of the individual's employment with the recommending school. Upon termination of employment, the license would expire.

Impact

The proposed legislation was designed to facilitate the hiring of individuals with relevant experience or education who might otherwise be excluded from teaching due to strict licensure requirements. This could potentially help alleviate teacher shortages in Arkansas by allowing schools greater flexibility in hiring.

Legislative Actions

  • February 18, 2025: Withdrawn by Author
  • January 29, 2025: Filed and referred to the Education Committee in the House

This summary provides an overview of House Bill 1305, its intended purpose, key provisions, and the potential impact on education in Arkansas. The bill was ultimately withdrawn, indicating that it will not proceed through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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