1. (a) To become a certified member of the Arkansas Tutoring Corps, a candidate must complete initial training and certification, which will be done in two (2) phases.

2. (b) In order to become an Arkansas Tutoring Corps qualified tutor, an individual must meet the requirements of Phase I of the program, which include:

   1. (1) Completion and approval of Arkansas Tutoring Corps application;

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Successful completion of background checks, including an:

3. (i) Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry Background Check; and

   1. (ii) Arkansas State Police/FBI background check, which must include the taking of fingerprints.

      1. (B) The background check must be completed within twelve (12) months prior to application or before being approved as a qualified tutor.
      2. (C) No waivers will be granted via the Arkansas Tutoring Corps program for a disqualifying offense.

      3. (D) Approved tutors are required to notify the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education of subsequent:

         1. (i) Conviction or convictions of disqualifying offenses; or
         2. (ii) True finding or findings and placement on Child Maltreatment Central Registry; and

   2. (3) Completion of initial Arkansas Tutoring Corps training that prepares candidates to effectively utilize the identified curriculum chosen by the division.

      1. (c)
   3. (1) Upon completion of Phase I, candidates become qualified tutors.
   4. (2) A qualified tutor may contract with approved tutoring sites to provide tutoring services for students as part of the Arkansas Tutoring Corps.

   5. (3) A qualified tutor may be compensated for tutoring services in addition to any compensation received as part of this program.

      1. (d) In order for a qualified tutor to be recognized as an Arkansas Tutoring Corps Certified Member, a tutor must complete Phase II of the program, which includes:
   6. (1) Completion of five (5) prescribed Professional Learning Modules;
   7. (2) With support of the ERZ, securing a tutoring assignment or assignments with one (1) or more approved tutoring sites; and

   8. (3) Documentation of a total of at least one hundred seventy-five (175) hours of tutoring at one (1) or more approved, qualified tutoring sites, which include:

      1. (A) A public school or open-enrollment public charter school located within Arkansas;
      2. (B) An education service cooperative;
      3. (C) An institution of higher education located within Arkansas; or
      4. (D) A community facility that meets the requirements established by the division.

4. (e) To maintain status as an Arkansas Tutoring Corps Certified Member, a tutor must annually:

   1. (1) Participate in the renewal process, which includes additional training developed and specified by the program;
   2. (2) Continue tutoring at approved tutoring sites; and
   3. (3) Document at least a total of one hundred seventy-five (175) hours of tutoring at an approved, qualified tutoring site annually.

5. (f)

   1. (1) The Arkansas Tutoring Corps program runs from September 1 through August 31 each year.

   2. (2) Arkansas Tutoring Corps certified members will have:

      1. (A) Priority placement in tutoring sites; and
      2. (B) An expedited renewal process.

Codification Notes: "ERZ" means education renewal zone.