Delivering Well Prepared Teachers Policy
Arkansas delineates two competency areas for middle school teachers who are licensed to teach grades 4-8 in either the areas of English language arts/social studies or mathematics/science. Regardless of competency area, middle school teachers must complete 12-15 hours in each of the four academic fields. Candidates then select a major in either English language arts/social studies or mathematics/science, and then they must earn at least 18 credits in each of the two disciplines in their competency area.
As of November 1, 2011, all new middle school teacher candidates will be required to take the Praxis II Middle School: Multiple Subjects assessment, which will report a cut score for each of the four content areas. Candidates will be allowed to re-take any section that they do not pass; however, all sections must be passed prior to licensure.
Arkansas was helpful in providing NCTQ with the facts necessary for this analysis.