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 13 school districts covering a total of 14 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 52 school districts requesting a total of 130 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 State Board will approve a letter to be sent to districts encouraging each district to participate in the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program.

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 a permanent license revocation. Mr. Lowery did not respond within the required thirty (30) day 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 a permanent license revocation. Mr. Riley did not respond within the required thirty (30) day period.

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2. An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice inclusive of skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 4. An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest responsible stewardship. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a one (1) year suspension; assess a $100 fine; require training, coursework, or rehab treatment; including Stop Workplace Drama by Marlene Chism and Building Trusting Relationships for School Improvement by Cori Brewster; ArkansasIDEAS IAD14492 Classroom Management: Building Effective Relationships; Provide a written reflection on each training to the PLSB office; due to PLSB within (60) days of SBOE final order. (All cost paid by the Educator).

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. The Professional Licensure Standards Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board a permanent license revocation. Mr. McKinney did not respond within the required thirty (30) day period.

Violation of Standard 1. An educator maintains a professional relationship with each student, both in and outside the classroom. Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice inclusive of skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position.  The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a written warning. Ms. Burnley, through her attorney, accepted the recommendation on February 10, 2017.

Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-15-430(d)(2) provides that during the second year following a school district’s classification of academic distress, if the State Board determines that sufficient progress has been made by the district toward correcting all issues that caused the academic distress classification but that all issues have not been resolved, the Commissioner of Education may, with the approval of the State Board, appoint a Community Advisory Board.  This Board approved the appointment of the Little Rock Community Advisory Board in July of 2016.  Reappointment of the Community Advisory Board must be considered annually prior to April 1.  The Department recommends the reappointment of the Community Advisory Board for one year.  

After the discussion during the Charter Authorizing Panel, Arkansas Virtual Academy pulled their waiver request prior to voting.

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A. §§ 6-20-2201 et.seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public Schools of Arkansas, Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2015-2016 Actual and 2016-2017 Budgeted, (ASR) is hereby submitted. The Ranking of Selected Items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2015-2016 Actual, (Rankings) are also included.

In accordance with Act 109 of the Second Extraordinary Session of 2003, the Arkansas Commission for Coordination of Educational Efforts’ annual report is enclosed for your review. Recommendations made by the Commission are included for your consideration.  As required by Act 109, the Commission met quarterly in 2016. 

Consideration for Public Comment: Proposed ADE Rules Governing Education Service Cooperative.
Changes to these rules are necessary to better comport with the laws regarding education service cooperative evaluations and review. ADE staff respectfully requests the State Board release this rule for public comment.

On February 15, 2017, representatives of Warren Middle 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 February 15, 2017, representatives of Arkansas Connections Academy appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By an 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 February 15, 2017, representatives of KIPP Delta appeared before the Charter Authorizing Panel requesting an amendment to their charter.  By an 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.

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 Brinkley School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

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 Cleveland County School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

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 Cabot School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

The State Board will consider  appeals of the classification for Academic Distress.  According to Section 3.02.2.1 of the ACTAAP Rules, a school may be identified as being in academic distress if 49.5%, or less, of its students achieve proficient or advanced in math and literacy on the state-mandated criterion referenced assessments administered for the most recent three (3) year period. 
Districts have until March 1 or 2, 2017, to submit a request for appeal.  The Board will hear each request individually.

The Board will maintain classification of academic distress for a district according to Section 3.02.2.1 of the ACTAAP Rules, a district may be identified as being in academic distress if 49.5%, or less, of its students achieve proficient or advanced in math and literacy on the state-mandated criterion referenced assessments administered for the most recent three (3) year period. 

The Board will maintain classification of academic distress for a school according to Section 3.02.2.1 of the ACTAAP Rules, a school may be identified as being in academic distress if 49.5%, or less, of its students achieve proficient or advanced in math and literacy on the state-mandated criterion referenced assessments administered for the most recent three (3) year period. 

States received a letter from the U.S. Department of Education defining criteria to consider removal of schools from focus or priority status.  The schools have met the exit criteria and shall be removed from focus or priority status effective today and will continue to receive support through June 30, 2017.

ForwARd Arkansas's work over the previous quarter has evolved to focus on support for communities with schools designated as being in academic distress and on developing community-based strategic plans in the initial cohort of five ForwARd Communities which can serve as demonstration models for Arkansas.

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