(a)

1. (1) The lead teacher shall:

   1. (A) Hold an Arkansas educator license in an area of early childhood preK; or
   2. (B) Have a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field with the requisite number of twelve (12) hours in early childhood and, or, or child development.
2. (2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may consider alternative pathways or experience on a case-by-case basis.

3. (3) Lead teachers must be able to demonstrate competency in the areas of:

   1. (A) Developmentally appropriate programming;
   2. (B) Curriculum development; and
   3. (C) Daily classroom management.

(c) Paraprofessionals.

1. (1) The paraprofessional shall hold one (1) of the following:

   1. (A) An associate degree in early childhood education or child development; or
   2. (B) A CDA credential.
2. (2) Paraprofessionals are an integral part of classroom instruction and should be given responsibilities that are commensurate with their education and experience.

3. (3) In general, paraprofessionals should be able to assist with classroom:

   1. (A) Activities;
   2. (B) Interaction;
   3. (C) Supervision; and
   4. (D) Observation.

(e)

1. (1) An ABC Program coordinator or site director without teaching responsibilities shall:

   1. (A) Meet the minimum licensing requirements for a center director; and
   2. (B) Complete Director’s Orientation within a reasonable time period, subject to the availability of training.
2. (2) The coordinator or director will preferably have some experience in early childhood.

(g)

1. (1) Staff members not qualifying under subsections (a) and (b) of this section may work in an ABC Program under an approved SQP.

2. (2) The division:

   1. (A) Will approve these plans on a case-by-case basis; and
   2. (B) Shall monitor the plan to ensure adequate progress is being made.

3. (3) Programs shall:

   1. (A) File an SQP with the division within fifteen (15) days of the date of hire; and
   2. (B) Submit progress reports on January 30 and July 30 annually.
4. (4) Programs hiring staff members not meeting minimum qualifications without an approved SQP shall be subject to termination from the ABC Program.

(i)

1. (1) Between June 1 and May 31 or July 1 and June 30 each year, all ABC Program teachers shall participate in a minimum of thirty (30) hours of staff development on topics pertinent to early childhood education and approved by the division.

2. (2) All ABC Program paraprofessionals shall participate in a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of staff development on topics:

   1. (A) Pertinent to early childhood education; and
   2. (B) Approved by the division.
3. (3) Persons who are obtaining an early childhood degree may count college course hours pertinent to early childhood education toward the required hours of staff development.
4. (4) Programs should multiply semester hours by five (5) to obtain the number of semester hours counted towards ABC Program professional development.

(j)

1. (1) Training areas.

   1. (A) Teachers and paraprofessionals shall be required to engage in professional development focused on early childhood learnings and programs approved by the Office of Early Childhood.
   2. (B) Topics may include:

(i) Academics;

1. (ii) Family and community engagement;

   1. (iii) Program quality;

      1. (iv) Human capital;
      2. (v) Program management; and
      3. (vi) Child development and growth.
2. (2) With the exception of annual child development and early learning standards, curriculum, child assessment, and classroom quality refresher training and updates, timeframes for completing such requirements may vary with availability and access to the above trainings.
3. (3) The division may mandate additional training subject to needs in various locations.

(k)

1. (1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (j) of this section, coordinators for each ABC Program shall ensure that all appropriate staff members attend mandatory ABC Program training (budgets, reporting, assessments, information technology, and others) provided by the division.

2. (2) Programs with staff members not adhering to these requirements are subject to the terms of a compliance plan as outlined in 6 CAR § 100-219.

   1. (l)
3. (1) The ABC Program coordinator and all ABC Program staff shall register with the office-approved professional development system.

4. (2) The registry identification number for each staff shall be entered into the required state data system.

   1. (m)
5. (1) ABC Programs shall establish an employment agreement in writing with all classroom staff.

6. (2) This agreement shall outline:

   1. (A) Working conditions;
   2. (B) Dates and hours of employment;
   3. (C) Compensation; and
   4. (D) Fringe benefits.
7. (3) A copy of the public school teacher contract shall satisfy this requirement.