(a)(1) The Department of Education shall set goals for increasing the number of teachers and administrators of minority races and ethnicities in this state.(2)(A) The Division of Higher Education shall collaborate with the State Board of Education, local universities, colleges, public school districts, and open-enrollment public charter schools to develop a strategic plan for increasing the number of teachers and administrators of minority races and ethnicities in this state.(B) The Minority Teacher and Administrator Preparation and Recruitment Strategic Plan shall include without limitation recommendations to institutions with educator preparation programs on ways to:(i) Identify methods for increasing the percentage of teachers and administrators of minority races and ethnicities in proportion to the number of students of minority races and ethnicities in this state; and(ii) Establish programs to identify and recruit individuals of minority races and ethnicities who have already earned college degrees in other job fields to become teachers and administrators.(b) The division shall: (1) Promote educator preparation programs that increase the percentage of individuals of minority ned college degrees in other job fields to become teachers and administrators.(b) The division shall: (1) Promote educator preparation programs that increase the percentage of individuals of minority races and ethnicities who enter and successfully complete a four-year educator preparatory program and provide support to students of minority races and ethnicities who meet the requirements for entering educator preparation programs; and(2) Submit a report no later than July 1, 2022, and every two (2) years following to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education.Added by Act 2021, No. 646,§ 3, eff. 7/28/2021.
Arkansas Legal Code