Each Beginning Administrator (BA), a first-year administrator with no prior experience as an administrator, is required to receive mentoring/induction support for his/her first three years of employment. The Beginning Administrator Induction (BAI) and first year of mentoring support is provided in partnership with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA). Beginning Administrators in years two and three do not need to register for the induction program. These individuals will continue to be supported through DESE, AAEA, the education service cooperatives, and their school districts, but their training requirements have been met.
Upon hiring a new administrator, the school district must register any first-year administrator (excluding superintendents) serving in the following areas:
Principal
Assistant Principal
Curriculum Administrator
Special Education Administrator
Additionally, the administrators listed below must be registered in the BAI program. The only requirement for the following individuals is to complete TESS Credentialing. All other trainings or support are optional.
Administrators from out-of-state with previous experience; and
Administrators returning to the profession
Year 1 induction utilizes a blended approach featuring in-person and virtual learning. Induction will include leadership conference attendance, TESS Credentialing, ethics training, training in inclusive practices, and twice monthly group advisory sessions held virtually. BA requirements are outlined in this document. Additionally, participants will have the option of participating in virtual Hot Topic sessions throughout the year with a network of specialized advisors.
Click here to access the Beginning Administrator Registry. By completing the form, the Beginning Administrator will be automatically registered for required trainings for the 2023-2024 BAI program including TESS Credentialing. Once the BA form is submitted, you will receive a copy of your responses. Within a few days of receiving the submission, confirmation emails for the selected trainings will be sent to the Beginning Administrator from AAEA.
For more information, please contact:
Lenett Thrasher, AAEA: l.thrasher@theaaea.org
Melanie Thrasher, AAEA: m.thrasher@theeaea.org
Andy Sullivan, DESE: andy.sullivan@ade.arkansas.org