AGENDA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION - real facts omsd

Public Comments: Rules Governing Educator Licensure – June - July 2012
learn.
Because of the need for an initial license in another content area and teaching experience, additional
coursework or requirements would be needed in order to address these deficiencies. If the proposed changes
are made, then an additional 6 to 9 hours of pedagogy would need to be taken for those without teaching
degree and 3 to 6 hours of practicum/internship to gain a minimal amount of teaching experience.
Currently licensure requirements for Library Media Specialist are: 1) hold a masters degree in Library Media,
2) hold an initial license in a content area, 3) have two years of classroom teaching experience, and 4) pass
the Praxis II exam for Library Media with a cut score of 148. If the proposed changes occur will individuals
have to take the Praxis I and the Praxis II Pedagogy, in addition to the Praxis II Library Media content area?
In reality there is not a shortage of individuals licensed in the State of Arkansas in Library Media. However,
there is a shortage of individuals that are willing to relocate to those areas of the State with a need.
Understanding this issue has been at the forefront of program/curricular changes within the Library Media
and Information Technologies program at the University of Central Arkansas. Over the past ten years, we
made several changes that have allowed us to help address this issue.
1. A revamped program utilizing an online delivery system, thus allowing the program to serve all
regions of the State.
2. A realigned curriculum allowing an individual to complete the program within a two year
timeframe, thus completing the program well within the three year requirement mandated by the
Additional Licensure Plan.
3. A partnership with principals and superintendents in shortage areas of the State to identify
individuals that have the license area and/or those that are interested in obtaining it. Once an
individual is identified, we assist the districts by either encouraging the licensed individual to
apply or by helping the district develop the Additional Licensure Plan, so that an emergency hire
could take place.
4. A partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education assisting with the review of transcripts
from out-of-state candidates; outlining specific areas of concern.
Once again, we respectfully request that these proposed licensure changes not be put into place. The current
licensure requirements are on target with national standards. In fact Arkansas is one of six states that lead
the nation in the development of high quality school library media specialist. Our program is nationally
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