As part of its ongoing efforts to ensure all students have access to high-quality teachers, the Marion School District plans to seek renewal of its Act 1240 teacher-licensure waiver from the Arkansas State Board of Education.
Act 1240 teacher-licensure waivers allow school districts to hire teachers who don't meet the state's standard licensing requirements. The waivers are intended to provide a non-traditional path to licensure for people who may not have been originally interested in education.
Marion was previously granted the waiver in 2020, but it will expire at the end of this school year. At least 70 school districts in Arkansas are utilizing the waiver, including Springdale, Forrest City, Blytheville, Wynne, Rivercrest, Cross County, West Memphis, and many others.
The Act 1240 teacher-licensure waiver is just one of several tools the Marion School District has utilized to ensure students have access to high-quality classroom instruction. Other steps taken in the last year include the following:
Recruitment/retention bonuses to attract and retain licensed educators for the 2024-25 school year
Stipends for licensed educators who choose to work in special education classrooms
Recruitment of international licensed educators through the USCIS H-1B Visa program
For Marion, the teacher-licensure waiver is just another tool to help the district grow its staff, including hiring teachers from the Crittenden County area. Teachers hired under the waiver are provided with mentors and training supplied by the district as well as their local educational cooperative. They also receive professional development and support to help them pass Praxis exams, the test that all teachers are required to pass. In order to be eligible for the waiver, individuals must possess at least a bacherlor’s degree.
The Marion School District is actively seeking input on this plan. If you would like to provide input on the district’s plan to apply for an Act 1240 teacher-licensure waiver, follow this link: Act 1240 feedback.
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.