§ 6-5-405 - Professional development for higher education awareness.
6-5-405. Professional development for higher education awareness.
(a) As used in this section, "state-supported student financial assistance" means:
(1) A state-supported scholarship or grant awarded by the Department of Higher Education; and
(2) A scholarship, grant, or tuition waiver awarded by an institution of higher education in this state funded in whole or in part with state funds.
(b) Beginning with the 2009 calendar year, professional development on the availability of, eligibility requirements for, and the process of applying for state-supported student financial assistance shall be required for:
(1) All public school superintendents and assistant superintendents; and
(2) The following licensed personnel at a public school where students are enrolled in grade seven through grade twelve (7-12):
(A) Principals;
(B) Assistant principals; and
(C) Guidance counselors.
(c) (1) The first course shall be a three-hour course to be taken within calendar year 2009, or within the first year of employment.
(2) After the first three-hour course is completed, a one-hour course is required to be completed annually.
(d) The professional development hours required under this section shall be counted toward the sixty (60) hours of the professional development required for licensed school personnel under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.