August 13, 2026 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education
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I. Call to Order
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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II. Moment of Silence
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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III. Pledge of Allegiance
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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IV. National Anthem
Description:
Allison Howard will sing, and Brayden Radtka will sign the national anthem. Ms. Howard is a junior and Mr. Radtka is a freshman at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind.
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V. Recognition
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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V.1. President of Boys Nation — Sawyer Ray
Presenter:
Jacob Oliva
Description:
Boys Nation is a national civics program where 100 young men from Boys State programs across the U.S. and D.C. simulate U.S. Senate operations, debate legislation, and elect national officers. Participants visit government landmarks, meet with state senators, and engage with peers from Girls Nation.
Sawyer Ray, a senior at Fayetteville High School, was elected President of the 80th annual American Legion Boys Nation in July 2026, becoming the first Arkansan to hold the position in the program’s history. At Boys State, he was one of two delegates selected to represent Arkansas at Boys Nation. He earned the Nationalist Party’s nomination and went on to defeat the Federalist candidate in the presidential election. His election is historic for Arkansas, following past Boys Nation alumni such as President William Jefferson Clinton and Senator Tom Cotton. |
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V.2. 2026 Arkansas' Civics Bee State Finalists
Presenter:
Jacob Oliva
Description:
The National Civics Bee encourages young Americans in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and earn cash prizes by sharing ideas for improving their communities and showing their enthusiasm for civics.
The Arkansas State Chamber/AIA has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local chambers of commerce across Arkansas to host a statewide civics competition. 2026 Arkansas state finalists: 1st place | Jai Durvasula — Barton Junior High School, El Dorado 2nd place | Ava Kate Fields — Russellville Junior High School, Russellville Jai will go on to compete at the National Competition on October 13-14. |
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VI. Changes to Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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VII. Action Agenda
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VII.1. Education Service Cooperative Annual Reports
Presenter:
Stacy Smith
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1020(a) requires Education Service Cooperatives to submit an annual report to the State Board of Education for approval and outlines the content that must be included in each report. All 15 Education Service Cooperative reports are attached.
Following the reports is a copy of Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-1020(a).
Attachments:
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VIII. New Business
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IX. Consent Agenda
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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IX.1. Minutes
Presenter:
Angela Scaife
Attachments:
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IX.2. 2026-2027 Embedded Courses
Presenter:
Dr. Kiffany Pride
Description:
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-202(b)(2)(B) allows curriculum frameworks from two separate courses to be taught in a single course, known as combined or embedded courses, with State Board approval. DESE respectfully requests the Board approve the embedded courses included in the attachment.
Attachments:
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X. Reports
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X.1. Board Liaison Reports
Presenter:
Randy Henderson
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X.2. ATOY Report
Presenter:
Stephanie Williams
Attachments:
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X.3. Commissioner's Report
Presenter:
Secretary Jacob Oliva
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X.3.a. Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Updates
Presenter:
Dr. Dushun Scarbrough
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XI. Public Comments
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XII. Adjournment
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