HISTORY

In 1987 the Arkansas Department of Education developed the Non-Traditional Licensure Program (NTLP) to attract well-qualified individuals to the teaching profession. The NTLP prepares teachers in an attempt to help stem the growing teacher shortage in Arkansas. The NTLP is a program for persons who have a four-year degree or higher.

MOTIVATION

"The program is intended to attract and prepare qualified individuals with four year college degrees to fill teaching assignments in districts which have a history of difficulty in recruiting licensed teachers. The Department of Education is committed to assisting local school districts’ efforts to identify, recruit and employ teachers.”

GRADE LEVELS COVERED

Pre-K
Elementary
Middle
Secondary

SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

WHO OPERATES

State Department

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
Minimum grade point average - 2.5
Passing score on basic state skills test or equivalent
Passing score on subject area specific test
Other - resume, three professional references, cover letter, NTLP application

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE NTL PROVISIONAL LICENSE: First Year

• Verification of employment by an Arkansas School
• Payment of the $750 NTLP fee
• Mandatory attendance of all summer preparation sessions
• Arkansas and FBI Background Check clearance

Second Year
• Verification of employment by an Arkansas School
• Payment of the $750 NTLP fee
• Mandatory attendance of all preparation sessions
• Praxis II Principals of Learning and Teaching passing score, or Praxis II Content Area Pedagogy passing score(s)

SELECTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS:
All districts in Arkansas are eligible to participate.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The Non-Traditional Licensure Program (NTLP) includes 210 hours of intensive specialized best practice instructional delivery teacher preparation and 50 hours of preparation and support from a site-based Pathwise trained mentor who guides the new teacher’s professional growth. The NTLP teacher preparation modules include the following areas:
• Pathwise
• Arkansas current practices and issues
• Classroom management
• Positive classroom discipline
• Legal responsibilities of teachers
• Legal issues in the classroom (IDEA, 504, ESL)
• Instructional delivery strategies
• Diverse needs of learners, multiple intelligences, and learning styles
• Thinking skills strategies
• Writing across the curriculum
• Technology integration in instruction
• Organizing content knowledge for student learning
• Assessments/ performance tasks/ rubric development instruction
• Managing the learning environment for diverse learners
• Arkansas content standards and curriculum frameworks

To complete the program and receive an initial Arkansas Teaching License the participant must successfully complete all NTL teacher preparation modules and teach as a teacher of record for a minimum of 120 days each year and pass the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching or the Praxis II pedagogical portion of the participant’s content area.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

Number of credit hours - Three areas of licensure require additional coursework.

WHO EVALUATES

LENGTH OF TIME

Two year

CLASSIFICATION

B

OTHER