Arkansas Code
Subchapter 29 - Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act
§ 6-15-2912. Educator excellence — Intent

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly that all students in Arkansas public schools be taught by qualified and effective educators and that low-income or minority students not be taught at disproportionate rates by educators who are ineffective, inexperienced, or teaching a subject for which they are not currently licensed.
(b) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules that promote the state's goal of providing all Arkansas public school students with qualified and effective educators and include without limitation:
(1) Systems to support educator effectiveness;
(2) The method of reporting educator effectiveness by public schools and school districts, including without limitation:
(A) The professional qualifications of educators; and
(B) The number and percentage of:
(i) Teacher educators, principals, and school leaders who are inexperienced;
(ii) Educators with emergency or provisional credentials; and
(iii) Educators who are teaching a subject for which they are not currently licensed; and

(3) The methods of calculating and reporting the rate at which low-income and minority students are disproportionately taught by educators who are ineffective, inexperienced, or teaching a subject for which they are not currently licensed.

(c) Each public school and school district shall:
(1) Report the data needed by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to identify and evaluate educator effectiveness in accordance with state and federal reporting requirements; and
(2) Ensure that its educators provide instruction that aligns with the academic standards established to prepare students to demonstrate the skills and competencies necessary for successful academic growth and high school graduation.