Arkansas Will Require Yearlong Teacher Residencies

Starting in spring 2027, all state-approved educator programs must implement yearlong supervised residencies.

Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Primary Education

Screen-print poster illustration of a wooden chair and stacked books in a classroom, evoking educational preparation and mentorship. — Arkansas will mandate yearlong supervised teacher residencies starting in 2027, a state initiative aimed at bolstering educator preparation and long-term retention. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Arkansas will mandate yearlong supervised teacher residencies for all state-approved educator preparation programs starting in the spring of 2027. This initiative, driven by a 2023 executive order from Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, aims to improve the quality of new educators and increase teacher retention rates across the state.

Why it matters

The transition to a mandatory yearlong model seeks to better prepare new teachers for classroom realities while strengthening the pipeline for long-term employment within Arkansas school districts. By integrating extended supervised training, officials hope to stabilize the workforce and improve overall education outcomes.

Teaching residents will complete a minimum of 18 hours per week during their first semester and 24 hours per week during their second. These figures represent the state-mandated training hours required for all candidates in approved educator programs.

The players

Sarah Huckabee Sanders

She is the current Governor of Arkansas who signed the executive order mandating yearlong teacher residencies.

Arkansas Department of Education

This state agency oversees public school operations and is working with universities to implement the new teacher residency requirements.

Southern Arkansas University

This university operates the Rider Residency program, which has seen 78% of its graduates obtain employment within their residency district.

The details

Educator preparation programs will collaborate with the Arkansas Department of Education to implement these yearlong residency plans. Candidates may qualify to serve as the teacher of record under an Aspiring Teacher Permit, which allows them to receive a standard teacher salary.

2021: Forward Arkansas launched the Education Preparation Program Design Collaborative.
2023: Governor Sanders signed an executive order requiring yearlong teacher residencies.
June 2026: Legislative staff presented a report on teacher pay to lawmakers.
Spring 2027: The statewide yearlong residency requirement for new teachers begins.

Roadmap

This mandate follows the legislative momentum established by the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which previously raised the state's minimum teacher salary to $50,000 to improve recruitment. The state is now prioritizing long-term retention by evolving how new educators transition from preparation programs into full-time roles.

Aspiring teachers can utilize the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship to receive as much as $6,000 per semester to help fund their licensure programs. Students in their final year should expect to spend significantly more time in the classroom under the new 18-to-24 hour weekly requirements.

The takeaway

The residency mandate signals a shift toward prioritizing hands-on experience as a prerequisite for full-time teaching positions in Arkansas. Students entering the profession should prepare for an intensive final year that integrates professional duties with their remaining academic coursework.