Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Driver's Education Assessment

The Driver's Education endorsement is available by completing a program of study through a DESE-approved educator preparation program and passing the DESE-approved assessment for the licensure area. Currently, there are two Ed Prep Programs that participate in the endorsement: Arkansas Tech and UCA. 

DESE-approved Licensure Assessment 

Candidates have the option of submitting passing scores on the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) or the DESE Driver's Education Performance Assessment until September 1, 2026. After that date, the DESE Driver's Education Performance Assessment is the only assessment option. 

Driver's Education Performance Assessment Description 
The performance assessment requires the submission of job-embedded artifacts aligned to the candidate's driver's education program of study. 

Driver's Education Performance Assessment Testing Window and Scoring 
Test-takers can register for the assessment via the provided link. Driver's Ed Endorsement

You must have an ARIDEAS account to access the course. However, the Driver's Education licensure endorsement cannot be added to a license without successful completion of a DESE-approved program of study in Driver's Education. Test takers are encouraged to check with their educator preparation program to ensure they are prepared to take the assessment. 

Artifacts must be submitted within 6 weeks of the signup date. Successful completion of the performance assessment requires the candidate to earn a "Demonstrated" on all components of the exam. Candidates will receive a score report within 7-10 days of submission. For any parts of the exam that do not earn "demonstrated," candidates will receive detailed, actionable feedback. 

Free Pilot Testing Through 2025 
 
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to announce a pilot program for the Driver's Education Performance Assessment in 2025. During this pilot, all test-takers may complete the assessment at no cost until December 31, 2025. 

Please be advised that if a candidate does not pass a specific task, a retake fee of $20.00 will be charged per task for each subsequent attempt. 

We encourage all candidates to prepare thoroughly and take advantage of this opportunity to complete the assessment at no charge. 

Here's what you need to know: 

  1. Free Access: All participants can access the Driver's Education Assessment at no cost until the end of the pilot period (December 31, 2025). 

  1. Retake Policy: There will be a fee of $20.00 for each task that requires a retake. 

  1. Feedback and Improvement: During the pilot period, test takers will be asked to provide feedback through a survey to help improve the assessment for future participants. 

 

For more information, please contact: 

Sherry Kennedy, Assessment Advisor  
Division of Elementary & Secondary Education  

Educator Effectiveness & Licensure 
Email: Sherry.Kennedy@ade.arkansas.gov