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 are 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 should not register for the induction program since registration was completed in their first year. 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 Supervisor/Director
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. The induction will include TESS Credentialing, ethics training, an overview of cognitive coaching, and twice-monthly group advisory sessions held virtually. BA requirements and training dates are outlined in this document. Additionally, participants have the option of participating in a BA pre-conference session at the AAEA Summer Conference and virtual Hot Topic sessions throughout the year with a network of specialized advisors.
TESS and Ethics Training Date Options
Required for first-year BAs, those returning to the profession, and out-of-state administrators with previous administrative experience. All sessions will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. BAs must actively participate in the full training with cameras on to receive credit. BAs will choose one (1) of the following dates when completing the registry.
July 25, 2024
August 2, 2024
August 6, 2026
September 26, 2024
October 7, 2024
Cognitive Coaching Training Dates
This training is required for first-year BAs. Participation is optional for those returning to the profession and out-of-state administrators with previous administrative experience. Training sessions will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. BAs will choose one (1) of the following dates when completing the registry.
January 29, 2025
January 30, 2025
January 31, 2025
February 10, 2025
February 19, 2025
February 24, 2025
Cognitive Coaching Community of Practice Dates
First-year BAs are required to participate in one (1) of the virtual Cognitive Coaching Community of Practice dates but may choose to participate in multiple sessions.
April 8, 2025, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
April 22, 2025, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
May 2, 2025, from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
May 16, 2025, from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Click here to access the Beginning Administrator Registry. By completing the form, the Beginning Administrator will be automatically registered for all required trainings for the 2024-2025 BAI program, including TESS Credentialing. Once the BA form is submitted, you will receive a copy of your responses. Please save this information to inform the BA of the required training dates. 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