2020 Gilder Lehrman American History Teacher of the Year Award

Award Winner:  
Dr. Neil Oatsvall, Arkansas School for Math, Science, + the Arts
 

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 - 1 Second Lien
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 31 school districts for a total of 96 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 30 school districts requesting a total of 44 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 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 requests the State Board of Education grant the Consent to Surrender and order a Permanent Revocation of License.
 

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 written reprimand by State Board of Education; assess a $100 fine; 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: Culturally Responsive School Leadership (Race and Education) (232p) Author: Muhammad Khalifa ISBN-10: 1682532070; Written reflection by Educator on how the trainings will impact her interactions with students in the future  To be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order. (All costs paid by Educator Lawrence.).
 

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 Rainey.).
 

Per Act 648 of 1993, Community Service Learning, community-based organizations may apply to their local school board for approval to work with school districts as a community service site provider.  These site applications are presented to the State Board of Education (SBE) for approval twice a year, July/August and December/January. The attached 12 sites have sent in application for SBE approval.  

Atkins School District is requesting a waiver of superintendent licensure  and the required 178 instructional days for the 2020-2021 school year.  

The Mountain Pine School District is requesting an extension of the waiver for highh school Library Media Specialist through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.  The current waiver expires on March 8, 2021.  A current staff member is working on certification and will complete the program prior to July 1, 2021.  

It is the recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board that the $75 application fee for First-time Five-Year Standard Educator’s License (including by reciprocity) be waived, effective immediately, until April 1, 2021. 

The Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science will provide an update on the Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Initiative including a presentation on 2020-2021 school year enrollment numbers.

In addition the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science is requesting that the State Board of Education adopt a resolution Expressing their Commitment to Elementary and Secondary Computer Science Education. This resolution, #CSResolution, is the result of a national effort that Mr. Owen has been partnering with other states and national leaders to develop. The Office of Computer Science also asks the State Board of Education to encourage all districts and schools in Arkansas to not only adopt the resolution.
 

The Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Initiative standards for high school courses are designed to provide understandings of concepts in computer science that are necessary for students to function in an ever-changing technological world. Through these standards, students will explore, apply, and move toward mastery in skills and concepts related to Computational Thinking and Problem Solving; Data, Information, and Security; Algorithms and Programs; Computers and Communications; and Professionalism and Impacts of Computing. These standards help students learn to accomplish tasks and solve problems independently and collaboratively. These standards give students the tools and skills needed to be successful in college and careers including computer science, computing, and other fields. 

State developed pathways within the Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Initiative all begin with common year-one standards which allow for consistency across the state and all schools. These common standards address the basic knowledge and skills needed for any student entering a technology-based field.  

Standards and courses under consideration for adoption include:

• Computer Science and Computing Practices
• High School Computer Engineering
• High School Cybersecurity
• High School Data Science
• High School Game Development and Design
• High School Mobile Application Development
• High School Networking
• High School Programming
• High School Robotics
• High School Independent Study
• High School Internship

The course standards have been grouped into one-credit (typically yearly) standards to afford the classroom educator additional flexibility in their curriculum choices; however, the course codes remain based on one-half credit (typically semester). Each state-developed pathway will have three credits (six pathway specific course codes) worth of Computer Science Flex Credit (465XXX) course codes.

Implementation of the Arkansas Computer Science Standards for High School Computer Science and Computing Courses begins during the 2021-2022 school year.

ADE is requesting that the Arkansas State Board of Education (SBE) not place any prerequisites on the Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Initiative high school courses, but allows for schools to place students in any of the courses based on ability and desire. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) recommends that districts develop and formally adopt a written policy outlining placement protocols. Evaluation tools and placement criteria will be the responsibility of the local districts.

It is the recommendation of ADE that the SBE and ADE authorize schools to enroll students across levels in the same sections of the master schedule (a.k.a. stacking) as long as the number of students does not exceed Standards of Accreditation maximums and/or ratios and the school can reasonably assure a high-quality educational experience for all students within that section.

ADE is specifically requesting that the SBE adopt all portions of the documents except the teacher clarification notes. The teacher clarification notes follow the standard[s] to which they apply and are indicated by the word "NOTE."

K-8 Embedded Standards

The Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards for Grades K-8 provide an introduction to computing concepts which are to be embedded across content areas and are intended to support existing classroom learning activities. The standards support critical thinking through the essential skills of computational thinking and algorithmic problem solving. The course strands, content clusters, and content standards are to be taught in an integrated manner, not in isolation. Integration of basic computer science skills and knowledge through practical classroom experiences promote connections to all subject areas and to the real world. When appropriate, educators should determine and implement the most beneficial student collaboration strategies (e.g., pairs, small group, whole group) for optimal learning. Formal assessment of these standards is not required.

Coding Block Standards

The Coding Block for Grades 7 or 8 is designed to be taught during a standalone block of time for a minimum of four continuous weeks. Students will examine how to formulate algorithms in addition to creating, analyzing, testing, and debugging computer programs in order to solve real-world problems. Students are required to use a text-based programming language to accomplish these tasks. These standards are not to be embedded in activities spread out over multiple courses, but within a dedicated course section. 

Schools are to ensure that every student receives instruction necessary to meet these standards in either their 7th or 8th grade year. Schools may choose the implementation mechanism that works best for their school and students. Options for implementation include, but are not limited to:

• The standards within this block taught as a module within any course or specified period of time during the student’s 7th or 8th grade year
• The standards within this block taught as part of a high school level programming course for which the school has received approval to offer to 7th or 8th graders

The teacher of record for the Coding Block for Grades 7 or 8 must hold an Arkansas Educator’s License in any content area, which allows them to instruct students of the grade level who are taking the block. Though the licensure is open to any content area, it is the responsibility of the school and teacher of record to ensure that the individual providing the instruction has the requisite knowledge needed to teach the block.

Implementation of the Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards for Grades K-8 and Coding Block for Grades 7 and 8 begins during the 2021-2022 school year.

Standards under consideration for adoption include:

• Computer Science and Computing Practices
• Arkansas Computer Science and Computing K-4 Standards
• Arkansas Computer Science and Computing 5-8 Standards
• Coding Block for Grades 7 or 8

ADE is specifically requesting that the SBE adopt all portions of the documents except the teacher clarification notes. The teacher clarification notes follow the standard[s] to which they apply and are indicated by the word "NOTE."

Under the AESAA, if a school district is classified by the State Board as being in need of Level 5 -- Intensive support and is placed under State authority, and has not demonstrated to the State Board and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education that it has met the criteria to exit Level 5 -- Intensive support within five (5) years of the assumption of authority, the State Board shall annex, consolidate, or reconstitute the school district.  Ark. Code Ann. 6-15-2917(c)(1).  On December 10, 2015, the State Board classified the Dollarway School District and assumed authority over the District.  The State Board is to consider whether the District met the criteria to exit Level 5 -- Intensive support, and if not, whether the District should be annexed, consolidated, or reconstituted.  

ESSA updates 2020