Harrelson vs. Dept. of Ed. = Dept. of Ed.

I took on the Dept. of Ed. in a losing battle today on HB2066, which proposes to expand the alternative licensure program to allow participants in out-of-state programs to serve as a "teacher of record" in Arkansas. aTm - Texarkana would like to place some of its students in Arkansas schools as a teacher of record, which would benefit Ark. schools, the students, and the program. The problem, among other things, is that the Texas program isn't accredited to the satisfaction of the Department.

The vote was 7-6 (I needed 10 to get it out of committee since the Speaker serves on that committee and was absent). I may make one quick run at an amendment to try and appease the Department by giving them oversight over the students serving as a "teacher of record" of such out-of-state programs.