Standard 4-E Guidance Counselors 4-E.1 Each public school district shall employ guidance counselors that meet the licensure requirements in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department or are working under an approved waiver in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C) 4-E.2 Each public school district shall have a student/guidance counselor ratio of no more than one to 450 students. (D/P)

(a) The State Board of Education shall issue the license of a classroom teacher, an administrator, a guidance counselor, or a library media specialist. (b) The state board shall promulgate rules for the issuance, licensure, relicensure, and continuance of licensure of teachers in the public schools of this state that:

• (1) Require at a minimum that each in-state applicant for teacher licensure:
  • (A) Completes an educator preparation program approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, which shall include without limitation:
    • (i) Educator preparation programs at institutions of higher education leading to a bachelor's degree or higher; and
    • (ii) Alternative educator preparation programs under § 6-17-409; and
  • (B) Demonstrates:
    • (i) Licensure content area knowledge; and
    • (ii) Knowledge of teaching methods;

(a) A school counselor is an eligible candidate for an initial administrator license if the school counselor:

• (1) Holds a current standard teaching license;
• (2) Has a minimum of four (4) years' experience as a school counselor;
• (3) Holds a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; and
• (4) Completes the appropriate program of study for an initial administrator license. (b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall promulgate the rules necessary to implement this section.

(a) Each public school district shall:

• (2) Have a written plan for a comprehensive school counseling program that:
  • (A) Is implemented by an Arkansas-certified school counselor, a counselor serving under an additional licensure plan, or a school employee acting as a school counselor under a waiver granted under § 6-15-103(c).