§ 6-16-127 - Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher Training Program.
6-16-127. Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher Training Program.
(a) This section and 6-16-128 shall be known as "The Arkansas Foreign Language Act of 1999".
(b) There is hereby created the Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher Training Program. The purpose of this program is to:
(1) Encourage undergraduate students who intend to teach in the state's public schools to pursue a foreign language degree;
(2) Encourage currently certified foreign language teachers to pursue additional training or an advanced degree in a foreign language;
(3) Encourage certified personnel to add foreign language to their areas of certification; and
(4) Encourage individuals to seek certification as a foreign language teacher in grades kindergarten through eight (K-8).
(c) The Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Education and representatives of the state's foreign language educators, shall develop a request-for-proposals process whereby Arkansas institutions of higher education with teacher training programs may apply for funding, not to exceed three (3) years, to enhance their foreign language teacher training program.
(d) (1) The awards granted under the provisions of this section and 6-16-128 may be funded by donations, grants, or legislative appropriation.
(2) All donations, grants, and appropriations received shall be accounted for by the Department of Higher Education.
(3) The Director of the Department of Higher Education may solicit and receive donations and grants for the purpose of making awards.
(4) The provisions of this section and 6-16-128 shall be contingent on the appropriation and funding necessary to allow the Department of Higher Education to carry out the duties assigned it in this section and 6-16-128.