Governor Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed the week of February 3-7, 2020, as National School Counseling Week in Arkansas to focus public attention on the unique contributions of school counselors within U.S. school systems and their impact on students.  National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students meet their college and career aspirations.

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. 

The members of the Arkansas State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications – 2 Second Lien and 5 Voted
With the recommendation to approve all applications from the Loan Committee and additional information provided by the school district in its application package and:
     Pursuant to Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-20-1205 concerning school district bonds, a school district shall not sell bonds until the issue is approved by the State Board of Education.  Therefore, the State Board of Education, in its discretion and after considering the merits of each application with the loan committee recommendation, may approve a school district bond application for the full amount of the proposed bond issue, approve the application for a lesser amount than requested, or disapprove the application.

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 11  school districts covering a total of  16  waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 53 school districts, educational service cooperatives, and behavioral facilities requesting a total of 90 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Division staff, and are consistent with program guidelines. 

Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 8. An educator, while on school premises or at school sponsored activities involving students, refrains from: (a) using, possessing, and/or being under the influence of alcohol or unauthorized drugs/substances, possessing items prohibited by law; (b) possessing or using tobacco or tobacco-related products, e-cigarettes, e-liquid, or vapor products; or (c) abusing/misusing prescription medications or other authorized substances as evidenced by impairment. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Two-Year Probation; assess a $250.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (201); Title: Almost Alcoholic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Drinking a Problem? (The Almost Effect) (250 p.); Author: Robert Doyle, MD; Joseph Nowinski, MD; ISBN 10: 161491590; ISBN -13: 978-1616491598; Title: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life (160 p.); Author; John G. Miller; IBSN 10: 0399152334; ISBN 13: 978-0399152337; Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success – No Nonsense, No Excuses (256 p.); Author: Linda Galindo; IBSN 13: 9780470500163; Educator will provide a written reflection explaining how training will impact educator’s interactions with students and athletes. To be completed within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Barber). Accepted 1/2/2020

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 professional and ethical behavior, 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 Six-Month Probation; asses a $150.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Title: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work in Life (160p); Author: John G. Miller; ISBN 10: 0399152334; ISBN 13: 978-0399152334; Educator will provide a written reflection on how these trainings will affect the Educator’s interactions with students in the future. To be completed within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Milham.)

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 professional and ethical behavior, 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 Permanent Revocation/Non-Issuance of License by the State Board of Education; assess a $500.00 fine. (All costs to be paid by Educator Belew.)

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 professional and ethical behavior, 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 Permanent Revocation/Non-Issuance of License by the State Board of Education; assess a $500.00 fine. (All costs to be paid by Educator Alumbaugh.)

Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. Violation of Standard 3. An educator honestly fulfills reporting obligations associated with professional practices. Violation of Standard 4. An educator entrusted with public funds and property, including school sponsored activity funds, honors that trust with honest responsible stewardship. Violation of Standard 5. An educator maintains integrity regarding the acceptance of any gratuity, gift, compensation or favor that might impair or appear to influence professional decisions or actions and shall refrain from using the educator’s position for personal gain. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a One-Year Suspension; assess a $400 fine to be paid within 30 days of the end of the suspension; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Title: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work in Life (160 p.); Author: John G. Miller; ISBN 10: 0399152334; ISBN 13: 978-0399152334; Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success – No Nonsense, No Excuses (256 p.); Author: Linda Galindo; ISBN 13: 9780470500163; Educator will provide a written reflection on how these trainings will affect the Educator in his accountability in his position. To be completed within 30 days of the end of the suspension. (All costs paid by Educator Dutton.)

Violation of Standard 6.  An educator keeps in confidence secure standardized test materials and results, and maintains integrity regarding test administration procedures. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Six-Month Probation; assess a $150.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018);  ADE Testing Security Module. Educator will provide a written reflection explaining how training will impact educator’s actions in the future. To be completed within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator DiPippa). 

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. Two-Year Suspension; assess a $500.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Credit Hours: 1, Title: Why Can't I Stop?: Reclaiming Your Life from a Behavioral Addiction (232p); Author: Jon E. Grant, Brian L. Odlong, and Samuel R. Chamberlin; ISBN 10: 1421419661; ISBN 13: 978-1421419664, Title: The Ethical Teacher (192p); Author: Elizabeth Campbell; ISBN 10: 0335212182; ISBN 13: 978-0335212187,Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p); Author: Linda Galindo; ISBN 13: 9780470500163, Require Educator to prepare written reflections for each training:  that explains how training will impact educator’s professional practices (due within 30 days of the suspension end); and require Educator to pay all associated costs.  Educator will provide a written reflection explaining how training will impact educator’s interactions with students and athletes. To be completed within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Scoggins). Accepted 1/22/2020

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 professional and ethical behavior, skills, knowledge, dispositions, and responsibilities relating to his or her organizational position. The Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Hearing Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a permanent revocation; asses a $500.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. 

A candidate who pays for the cost of the first certification component may apply to the Department for reimbursement of that cost and the state support of the remaining certification components if the Department receives the application within (60) days after the candidate passes the submitted component. The Advisory Committee shall review the application and make a recommendation to the State board for funding. The candidates meet the requirement for reimbursement.

Ms. Cloyes holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board.  The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that the State Board may remove a PLSB recommendation from the consent agenda for further review.  Ms. Cloyes’s case was removed from the December consent agenda and placed on the January action agenda. At the January meeting the Board moved for a hearing on Ms. Cloyes case. Ms. Cloyes is represented by attorney Mr. Clayton Blackstock.

Violation of Standard 2.  An educator maintains competence regarding his or her professional practice, inclusive of professional and ethical behavior, 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 2-Year Probation; assess a $250.00 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board of Education Final Order; required to complete through ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC19048: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB): The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018); Title: Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice (384 p.); Author: Geneva Gay; ISBN-10: 0807758760; ISBN-13: 978-0807758762; Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p); Author: Linda Galindo; ISBN 13: 9780470500163; Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208 p.); Author: Dacher Keltner; ISBN 10: 0143110292; ISBN 13: 978-0143110293; Title: How to Be an Antiracist (320 p.); Author: Ibram X. Kendi; ISBN-10: 0525509283; ISBN-13: 978-0525509288; Educator will provide a written reflection indicating how each training will impact the Educator’s interactions but inside the classroom and on the playing field. To be completed within ninety (90) days of the State Boards Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Pennington.) Accepted 12/30/2019

Ms. Brimer holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board. The Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators provides that an Educator may object to the Ethics Hearing Subcommittee’s written findings and recommendations. The Educator’s objection triggers a full review by the State Board. The Educator motioned the Board for a continuance at the January meeting which the Board approved.  Ms. Brimer is represented by attorney Mr. Matt Benson 

Ms. Geer is a preservice teacher and subject to the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. Educator Geer motioned the Board to continue the case from the January meeting to the February meeting for the case to be reviewed. Ms. Geer is represented by attorney Ms. Jennifer Flinn. 

According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  Representatives of the Hope School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

According to Arkansas Code Annotated 6-15-103, a school district can petition the State Board of Education for all or some of the waivers granted to an Open-Enrollment Public Charter School.  Representatives of the Marion School District are appearing before the Board with a petition of waivers.

Changes to these Guidelines were necessary to incorporate the changes of Act 187 of 2019.  DESE staff respectfully request that the State Board of Education approve these amended Guidelines.

These Rules have been amended to incorporate the changes of Act 709 of 2019.  A public comment hearing was held on November 18, 2019.  Public comments were received, but resulted in no substantive changes to the Rules. DESE staff respectfully request the State Board grant final approval of these Rules. 

These Rules have been amended to incorporate the changes of Act 528 of 2019.  A public comment hearing was held on November 18, 2019.  Public comments were received, but resulted in no substantive changes to the Rules. DESE staff respectfully request that the State Board grant final approval for these Rules.

These Rules were amended to incorporate the changes of Act 757 of 2019.  A public comment hearing was held on December 9, 2019.  Public comments were received, but did not result in substantive changes to the Rules.  DESE staff respectfully request the State Board grant final approval for these Rules.

These Rules were amended to incorporate the changes of Acts 168 and 1029 of 2019.  A public comment hearing was held on December 9, 2019.  Public comments were received, but did not result in substantive changes to the Rules.  DESE staff respectfully request that the State Board grant final approval for these Rules. 

These Rules combine the former Rules Governing Uniform Grading Scales, Rules Governing Concurrent Credit, and Rules Governing Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate Incentive Program into a single Rule.  These former Rules are being simultaneously repealed.  Language has been added to incorporate the changes of Acts 745 and 1118 of 2017 and Acts 429, 456, and 632 of 2019. The Rules also contain new sections concerning flexibility in awarding high school course credit and courses for weighted credit.  A public comment hearing was held on November 18, 2019.  Public comments were received, but did not result in a substantive change to the Rules. DESE staff respectfully request that the State Board grant final approval for these Rules.