The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) has been awarded a federal grant aimed at expanding pathways for special education teachers and developmental therapists through registered apprenticeships. The initiative, supported by an initial $702,324 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, could bring more than $4.3 million in federal funding to the state through September 2031, pending annual approval and funding availability.
The initiative, known as the Arkansas Special Education and Early Intervention Registered Apprenticeship Project, seeks to address statewide shortages of qualified special education and early intervention professionals. Developmental therapists provide early-intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, an area where the state has faced significant workforce gaps.
“This grant helps us fulfill Arkansas’ commitment to better prepare teachers and early learning educators who serve our children,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva in a statement. “Future educators can train for these jobs while working in their own communities, with mentors guiding them, and without incurring tuition debt. That is how we grow a workforce that stays.”
The program also aligns with the goals of the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which focuses on recruiting, rewarding, and retaining educators. By building on the existing Arkansas Teacher Registered Apprenticeship pathway, the state offers working professionals the ability to earn credentials or licensure without stepping away from their roles. This accessible, workforce-aligned system allows participants to avoid geographic and financial barriers that often accompany traditional degree programs.
The apprenticeship model, which began in 2022, initially supported K-12 teacher licensure and was expanded in 2025 to include special education. With this new funding, the program will further widen its scope to train developmental therapists, addressing another critical need within Arkansas’ workforce. Currently, the state hosts only one in-state preparation program for developmental therapists.
Dr. Brandie Benton, assistant commissioner of Educator Effectiveness and Licensure at ADE, emphasized the initiative's dual benefits. “This grant lets us grow the number of special education apprentices and apply the same ‘grow-your-own’ approach to early intervention,” Benton said. “It’s the kind of affordable, job-connected pathway that aligns with LEARNS and ACCESS goals.” ACCESS is the state’s program for building affordable, credentialed pathways for educators.
Under the program, trained mentors working within the system will receive stipends to guide apprentices. Meanwhile, ADE will prioritize recruiting participants from high-need areas. Officials plan to monitor recruitment, enrollment, credential attainment, and other metrics to refine the program over time.
The Arkansas Department of Education continues to encourage high-need school districts and early intervention providers to join this effort, addressing longstanding disparities and building capacity for special education services across the state.