The Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is committed to ensuring that every student with a disability is supported by highly effective special education professionals. To expand the pool of qualified special educators, DESE has introduced a “test out” pathway to special education licensure. This option is available to licensed teachers from other fields who are passionate about working with students with disabilities. (See Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules Governing Educator Licensure Effective: September 2, 2024)
Requirements
According to Section 2-9.1.3 of the Educator Licensure rules, individuals holding a teaching license in a different area may demonstrate qualifications for special education licensure by passing the state special education exam (referred to as "testing out"). Additional requirements include:
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Completion of DESE's Special Education 101 Modules provided by the Office of Special Education.
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Demonstration of awareness of the Science of Reading in the first year of teaching and attaining proficiency before a standard license can be issued.
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Completion of the DESE First-Year Special Education Mentoring Plan which includes the following key components.
Assigning a Mentor: School districts are required to assign an experienced mentor teacher to first-year special educators who test out and are encouraged to provide compensation for these mentorship activities. (see note below regarding funding options)
Guidance and Resources: This section includes general guidance and a linked document with resources suitable for a “special education boot camp” experience.
Required Activities: Starting on page 2, required activities are detailed. These include self-reflection and goal-setting focused on “High Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities,” peer observations, a menu of self-paced professional development options, and quarterly participation in DESE-sponsored Special Education Hot Topics sessions.
Documentation: Artifacts should be uploaded in the Educator Effectiveness System (EES) as part of the mentee’s Professional Growth Plan (PGP).
Mentoring Specialists from local educational cooperatives are available to provide support as needed.
Note: Districts may utilize funding sources such as Title II which can cover licensing/testing fees, tuition reimbursement, and additional compensation for mentors or teacher leaders involved in induction programs
Licensing Process for Special Education Test-Out Candidates
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Initial License Application: Applicants must apply for an initial license in the area of special education they have tested out of.
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DESE Review: DESE will verify that applicants have passed the required exams.
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Statement of Understanding: Upon verification, DESE will issue a Statement of Understanding to the applicant, clarifying they must complete the DESE First-Year Special Education Mentoring Plan after being employed by a district to qualify for a standard license.
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When hired, the applicant will provide the following statement to the hiring district:
An initially licensed special education teacher employed by a public school district or charter school in a special education position is required to complete the DESE First Year Special Education Mentoring Plan. The district administrator must notify DESE after employing an initially licensed special education teacher by filling out the following form: https://forms.gle/mxpPvkB64rLu6aCJ6.
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Standard License: The district will recommend the teacher for a standard license upon completion of mentoring.
Timeline
The initial group of teachers (those who are testing out now) will complete mentoring plan activities between January 2025 and December 2026. Moving forward, mentoring activities must be completed within one year of employment as a first-year special education teacher, although there is no fixed start date.
Transfer to a New District During Mentoring
If the teacher transfers to a new district before finishing their mentoring plan, the teacher must complete the remaining mentoring activities in the new district and inform their new district of the mentoring requirements.