In honor of Veterans Day, which is November 11, 2016, ADE team members who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces will be recognized.

The applicant data from this information is used to compile the Applicant Flow Chart forms for the Affirmative Action Report, which demonstrates the composition of applicants through the selecting, hiring, promoting and terminating process.  The information is needed to measure the effectiveness of the agency's recruitment, hiring and promotion efforts and is in conformity with federal government guidelines, which require the agency to compile statistical information about applicants for employment.

Arkansas Code Annotated §6-17-309 requires local school districts to secure a waiver when classrooms are staffed with unlicensed teachers for longer than 30 days.  Requests were received from 124 school districts covering a total of 468 waivers.  There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 48 school districts requesting a total of 92 waivers for long-term substitutes.  These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Department staff, and are consistent with program guidelines.

The ADE Communications Unit provides a quarterly report about the My Child/My Student public awareness campaign. The latest campaign resources are available on the ADE website at http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/communications/my-childmy-student. 

Violation of Standard 8. An educator refrains from using, possessing and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances and/or possessing items prohibited by law, or possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products while on school premises or at school-sponsored activities involving students. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a one (1) year probation; assess a $75.00 fine; and provide a letter from a licensed therapist to the PLSB, stating that she is fit to return to classroom.  Letter should be provided within thirty (30) days of State Board’s final order.  Ms. Burns did not respond within the required period.

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written reprimand; assess a $50.00 fine; and completion of training through Arkansas IDEAS, specifically Course TCC14435:  Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB):  Social Media Guidelines.  Training to be completed within thirty (30) days of the State Board’s final order and all costs paid by educator.  Ms. Coble accepted the recommendation on September 12, 2016.

Currently five (5) districts are classified by the State Board of Education as being in Fiscal Distress.
Department staff conducts on-site visits, reviews district financial improvement plans and financial reports, and works with Fiscal Distress districts on issues specific to the individual districts. The five (5) districts in Fiscal Distress are Dollarway, Guy-Perkins, Lee County, Maynard and Yellville-Summit. The Progress Report on the status of each district contains a District Profile and an Unrestricted Financial Report which includes a summary of revenues and expenditures. The Department is requesting the State Board of Education to accept this report in compliance with A.C.A. § 6-20-1908(g), which requires the Department to submit an evaluation on the status of each district in Fiscal Distress every six (6) months.

Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-13-112, a quarterly status report is provided for each school district currently under state authority. 

AEA President Ms. Brenda Robinson requests the State Board recognize November 14-18, 2016, as American Education Week.

Mr. Owen will request the State Board recognize the week of December 5 through 11, 2016, as Arkansas Computer Science Education Week.

Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-516 requires the ADE to evaluate the impact of school discipline on student achievement and report findings to the State Board of Education and school districts. 

Act 1240 of 2015 allows a school district to petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to open-enrollment public charter schools that serve students who reside in the school district.  Representatives of the Watson Chapel School District are appearing before the Board with a petition for waivers.

Evelyn James holds an Arkansas Standard Teaching License.  The Office of Educator Effectiveness, National Board Advisory Committee, recommends suspension of this license for nonpayment of funds expended by the Arkansas Department of Education for National Board Candidacy.  Efforts have been made to contact Ms. James concerning her nonpayment of funds.  The recommendation is for the teaching license to be suspended until payment is made in full.

Robin Hosier-Whitenton holds an Arkansas Standard Teaching License.  The Office of Educator Effectiveness, National Board Advisory Committee, recommends suspension of this license for nonpayment of funds expended by the Arkansas Department of Education for National Board Candidacy. Efforts have been made to contact Ms. Hosier-Whitenton concerning her nonpayment of funds.The recommendation is for the teaching license to be suspended until payment is made in full.

Sita Montgomery holds an Arkansas Standard Teaching License.  The Office of Educator Effectiveness, National Board Advisory Committee, recommends suspension of this license for nonpayment of funds expended by the Arkansas Department of Education for National Board Candidacy.  Efforts have been made to contact Ms. Montgomery concerning her nonpayment of funds.  The recommendation is for the teaching license to be suspended until payment is made in full.

Brittney Breedlove’s Arkansas Teaching License has been revoked. Ms. Breedlove received funding under the Rules Governing Eligibility and Financial Incentives for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Candidacy and Certification Program.  Because of circumstances explained in accompanying documents, Ms. Breedlove was unable to fulfill the requirement of teaching in an Arkansas Public School for three Consecutive years following certification.  Therefore, Mr. Breedlove has requested a waiver from her obligation to repay NBPTS Program funding in the amount of $2,652.25.  Based on extenuating circumstances as determined by the NBPTS Advisory Subcommittee, the Department recommends that the State Board waive the requirement for repayment of NBPTS Program funding.

Linda Hughey is a licensed educator who received funding under the Rules Governing Eligibility and Financial Incentives for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Candidacy and Certification Program, but did not complete certification. Ms. Hughey has requested a waiver from her obligation to repay NBPTS Program funding in the amount of $1,445.00.  Based on extenuating circumstances as determined by the NBPTS Advisory Subcommittee, the Department recommends that the State Board waive the requirement for repayment of NBPTS Program funding.

Dollarway School District has two schools classified in Academic Distress. The Arkansas Department appointed review teams to conduct onsite reviews and to provide recommendation. Recommendations were provided to the district in June 2016. School and district leadership will present current status of progress towards Recommendation 1.

Little Rock School District has five schools classified in Academic Distress. The Arkansas Department appointed review teams to conduct onsite reviews and to provide recommendation. Recommendations were provided to the district in June 2016. School and district leadership will present current status of progress towards Recommendation 1.

Presentation of recommendations for Mineral Springs High School classified in Academic Distress on August 11, 2016. ADE assigned a team of educators to conduct an onsite review and make recommendations to the State Board of Education, the Superintendent of the school district, and principal of the school. Once reviewed by the State Board of Education, the recommendations becoming binding on the district for implementation.

On July 14, 2016, the State Board met and approved Haas Hall Academy's request to license a new campus in Springdale with the requirement of a quarterly report on efforts toward diversity and on collaboration efforts with the surrounding school districts.  This report has been composed by Haas Hall Academy to fulfill that requirement. 

On October 19, 2016, representatives of Haas Hall Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a vote of seven-to-one, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 19, 2016, representatives of KIPP Delta Public Schools appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct  a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 19, 2016, representatives of Arkansas Arts Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 19, 2016, representatives of Cross County High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 19, 2016, representatives of The Excel Center appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 20, 2016, representatives of River Valley Virtual Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 20, 2016, representatives of Harrisburg College and Career Preparatory School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision  made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 20, 2016, representatives of Harrison High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 21, 2016, representatives of Hot Springs Junior Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 21, 2016, representatives of North Little Rock Center of Excellence appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

On October 21, 2016, representatives of Prairie Grove High School appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting a charter.  By a unanimous vote, the Panel approved the request.  No request for the State Board of Education to review the decision made by the Panel was submitted.  The State Board may exercise a right of review and conduct a hearing on the Charter Authorizing Panel's determination at the State Board's next meeting.

Acts 345 of 2015 amended Ark. Code Ann. § 6-20-2204 regarding the Educational Financial Accounting and Reporting Act required training.  A public comment hearing was held on September 1, 2016.  The public comment period ended on September 19, 2016.   Public comments were received, but no substantive changes were made.  Governor's approval was received on September 21, 2016.  Department staff respectfully requests that the State Board give approval for these rules.

The 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will report on current topics of opportunities for educators.