Information for Service Providers
What are the different types of educational service providers?
An educational service provider is a person or entity, not including a participating private school, that receives payments from program accounts to provide goods and services that are covered as qualifying expenses. There are three categories of providers:
Full-Time Student-Facing Providers
Service providers who are responsible for the full-time education of participating students. They directly interface with a participating student while delivering educational services.
-Micro-schools, learning pods, online schools, etc.
Part-Time Student-Facing Providers
Service providers offering a good or service that contributes to the education of a participating student on a part-time basis. They directly interface with a participating student while delivering educational services.
-Tutors, therapists, transportation providers, etc.
Vendors
Service providers delivering an educational good or service who do not directly interface with participating students
-Retailers, curriculum providers, educational assessment providers, etc.
What are the eligibility criteria to become an educational service provider with the EFA program?
Full-Time Student-Facing Service Providers
Full-time student facing providers must comply with the following requirements to be eligible:
- Must complete background check for all student-facing employees. Background checks must be available upon request.
- Must provide an education in ELA, math, social studies, and science
- Must administer assessments to participating students
- Must not discriminate on any basis prohibited by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d
- Cannot employ anyone who may pose a risk to the use of EFA funds
- Must provide list of all goods and services offered with corresponding prices or rates
- Must provide proof of credentials to demonstrate that relevant staff:
Hold an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or are otherwise qualified through a Department-recognized Alternative Route Program; meets the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited / recognized by the State Board; is employed in a teaching/tutoring role at an accredited higher education institution, and/or holds a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject area that they teach in.
7.04.4.4.a Holds an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or is otherwise qualified through a department-recognized Alternative Route Program;
7.04.4.4.b Meets the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the State Board;
7.04.4.4.c Is employed in a teaching or tutoring capacity at an accredited institution of higher education or
7.04.4.4.d Holds a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject area for which tutoring or instructional services are provided.
7.04.4.4.e The department may, on a case-by-case basis, approve providers whose employees do not (or an individual who does not) have one of the credentials set out above if;
7.04.4.4.e.1 The individual has a prior teaching experience of not less than three (3) years, which demonstrates special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies the individual to provide instruction on a specific subject; or
7.04.4.4.e.2 Evidence is found that the individual has subject matter expertise in their field.
Part-Time Student-Facing Service Providers
All part-time student facing service providers must complete a background check and fingerprinting, and have both available upon request, in addition to the following requirements:
- Tutors: must provide proof of credentials including one of the following:
7.04.4.4.a Holds an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or is otherwise qualified through a department-recognized Alternative Route Program;
7.04.4.4.b Meets the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the State Board;
7.04.4.4.c Is employed in a teaching or tutoring capacity at an accredited institution of higher education or
7.04.4.4.d Holds a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject area for which tutoring or instructional services are provided.
7.04.4.4.e The department may, on a case-by-case basis, approve providers whose employees do not (or an individual who does not) have one of the credentials set out above if;
7.04.4.4.e.1 The individual has a prior teaching experience of not less than three (3) years, which demonstrates special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies the individual to provide instruction on a specific subject; or
7.04.4.4.e.2 Evidence is found that the individual has subject matter expertise in their field.-Holds an Arkansas Standard or Provisional Professional Teaching License or is otherwise qualified through an ADE-recognized Alternative Route Program;
-Meets the requirements set by a tutoring organization accredited / recognized by the State Board;
-Is employed in a teaching or tutoring role at an accredited higher education institution;
-Holds a baccalaureate or graduate-level degree in the subject area that they teach in - Therapists: must hold an active state license
- Transportation providers: must hold an active state drivers license
Vendors
Non-student facing providers, like uniform or school supply vendors, do not need to apply as service providers. More information will be available in the near future.
How can I apply?
Applications for Education Service Providers opened April 1, 2024 and can be found here.
Provider Applications |
What expenses are eligible under the EFA program?
Eligible educational expenses for the 2024-25 school year include tuition and fees, curriculum, supplemental materials, uniforms, technology, school supplies, tutoring, therapy, transportation, testing, etc. If you have questions about the eligibility of a specific expense not listed here, please reach out to the Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment.
Who do I contact for help with the EFA program?
Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Four Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-683-1876
Email: ade.efa@ade.arkansas.gov
