ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS
(Adopted by the State Board on August 13, 2001)
Background Information
:
This report is submitted based upon
the work of the Administrator Sub-Committee of the
Teacher Licensure Advisory Committee addressing the
fifth overarching area of administrator licensure.
Assessment research was conducted and assessment
recommendations were developed. Arkansas administrators
representative of urban school, rural schools, and
administrator organizations were invited to participate
in advisory meetings and planning sessions to assist
sub-committee members in drafting recommendations. These
recommendations use the Principles for Licensure of
Beginning Administrators as a foundation to develop
a system to license principals, assistant principals,
superintendents, deputy superintendents, and assistant
superintendents for Arkansas schools. The principles are
-
The administrator demonstrates
leadership which provides purpose and direction for
greater student understanding and problem solving.
-
The administrator has the skills to
implement plans of action efficiently and effectively
for greater student achievement.
-
The administrator creates a secure
environment that is conducive to greater student
achievement.
-
The administrator gathers
information from and communicates it effectively to
students, parents, staff, the community, and the media
to facilitate greater student achievement.
-
The administrator understands the
importance of a clear vision and explicitly stated
philosophy in shaping a coherent curriculum and in
creating an effective school.
-
The administrator makes systematic
use of data to assess the needs and accomplishments of
students and staff.
Building-Level Administrator
Initial Licensure for Building-Level Administrators:
The following recommendations are made for initial
licensure of Building-Level Administrators (principals
and assistant principals). Candidates must
-
hold a standard teaching
license.
-
hold 5 years of teaching
experience. At least 3 of the 5 years of teaching
experience must be at the level at which the candidate
is seeking administrative licensing, P-8 or 7-12.
-
hold a graduate degree that
includes a program of study with an internship and
portfolio development, based upon the Principles
for Licensure of Beginning Administrators.
Note: For candidates holding a
graduate degree in an area other than educational
leadership, the institution of higher education will
review their credentials to determine their individual
needs. The candidates will complete a program of study
based on their individual needs inclusive of an
internship and portfolio based on the Principles for
Licensure of Beginning Administrators to obtain an
initial license.
[The portfolio will be assessed by
the program of study faculty and at least one external
evaluator to ensure program quality and integrity. The
institution of higher education will forward appropriate
notification to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)
with regard to successful completion of program study,
portfolio, and internship.]
Standard Licensure for
Building-Level Administrators:
The following recommendations are
made for standard licensure of Building-Level
Administrators (principals and assistant principals).
Candidates must
-
undergo a mentoring experience
during the period of initial licensure (1-3
years). The mentor provided should have
relevant experience sought by the new administrator,
at least three years of administrator experience, hold
a standard teacher's license, and complete mentorship
training. Districts shall submit their administrator
mentoring plans to ADE.
-
successfully complete the School
Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). The cut-score
for this exam for Building-Level Administrators is
158. Candidates should be allowed actual
administrative experience during their induction years
(1-3) before being required to meet the cut-score.
Note: Candidates completing
coursework for licensure but unable to complete the SLLA
with an acceptable score will no longer hold an initial
license as a Building-Level Administrator.
Note: Candidates completing all
requirements, but who are not employed as a
Building-Level Administrator for a period of five years
or more, will be required to, reestablish eligibility
requirements under the initial licensing process.
District-Level Administrator
The following recommendations are
made for standard licensure of District-Level
Administrators (superintendents, deputy superintendents,
assistant superintendents). Candidates must
-
hold a standard teaching license
and a Building-Level Administrator license.
-
hold 5 years teaching experience
with, preferably, building-level experience.
-
hold an advanced degree or
complete an advanced program of study based on
their individual needs inclusive of an internship and
portfolio development based on the Principles for
Licensure of Beginning Administrators.
[The portfolio will be assessed by
the program of study faculty and at least one external
evaluator to ensure program quality and integrity. The
institution of higher education will forward
appropriate notification to the Arkansas Department of
Education (ADE) with regard to successful completion
of program of study, portfolio, and internship.]
Administrative Licensure Waiver Option
A waiver may be requested by a school
district from the Arkansas Department of Education when
a district wants to seek an individual who has
identified expertise but does not possess an
administrator license. This will apply to both levels:
building and district administrators
