December 7 through 13, 2020 has been declared to be National Computer Science Education Week by Code.org, the Computer Science for All Initiative, and other nationally recognized entities.  

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 134 school districts for a total of 509 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 82 school districts requesting a total of 175 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Department staff, and are consistent with program guidelines. 
 

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 Evidentiary Subcommittee recommends that the State Board order a Level 4 Public Notification of Ethics Violation or Non-Issuance by State Board of Education; assess a fine of $500. To be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Sharp.).
 

At October 2019 State Board meeting, the State Board ordered a review date to evaluate completion of the conditions of Ms. Odom’s one year license suspension. Ms. Odom is represented by attorney Mr. Jim Hensley.
 

Ms. Alumbaugh holds a teacher’s license issued by the State Board of Education. Ms. Alumbaugh has appealed her ethics hearing recommendation and requested a State Board review pursuant to 16.02 of the Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. Ms. Alumbaugh is represented by attorney Mr. Matthew Campbell.
 

In October the Charter Authorizing Panel approved the district conversion charter school application for Cave City Middle School Career and Collegiate Preparatory for a period of five years.  The school will serve a maximum of 375 students in grades 6-8 and will offer a traditional/hybrid program, as well as, an online program for students. Cave City High School is also a district conversion charter school.  

In October the Charter Authorizing Panel approved the district conversion charter school application for Batesville Charter High School for a period of five years.  The school will serve a maximum of 2000 students in grades 9-12 and will offer career pathways that will increase opportunities for students to expand their career and college options.  

In October the Charter Authorizing Panel approved the district conversion charter school application for the Academies at Rivercrest High School for a period of five years.  The school will serve a maximum of 500 students in grades 9-12 through an academy model, allowing for unique educational experiences and opportunities based on student interest. The model includes academies for freshman, agriculture, technology, general education and virtual learning.  

In October the Charter Authorizing Panel approved the district conversion school charter school application for Vilonia Pathways Academy for a period of five years.  The school will serve a maximum of 700 students in grades K-12 and will offer an online core content curriculum, in addition to, service learning instruction and differentiated pathways to develop workplace skills.  

In October the Charter Authorizing Panel approved the district conversion school charter application for Driven Virtual Academy for a period of five years.  The school will serve a maximum of 900 students in grades K-12 through a 100% virtual program.  

Ark. Code Ann. 6-41-903(d)(1)(A) requires private schools participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program to "administer annually or make provisions for a student participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program to take a nationally recognized norm-referenced test as established by the state board". The KTEA-3 is not on the current list of approved assessments. The Hannah School has requested approval from the Board to use the KTEA-3 to meet the statutory requirement.

These Rules were amended to incorporate the changes of Act 523 of 2019.  A public comment hearing was held on February 12, 2020. Public comments were received, but did not result in substantive changes to the Rules.  DESE staff respectfully requests that the State Board grant final approval for these Rules.