The Opportunity Culture rubric was used to determine the model schools, measuring the five principles and other key areas: Reach, Pay, Time, and Accountability as well as Professional Learning, Communication, Instructional, Planning, Instructional Delivery, and Instructional Improvement.

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 5 school districts for a total of 7 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 24 school districts requesting a total of   39 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 Arkansas Department of Education received information that educator has a true finding for Sexual Abuse in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry. A true finding in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry is disqualifying pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410. The educator is requesting a waiver.
 

The Arkansas Department of Education received information that educator has a true finding for Abuse in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry.  A true finding in the Child Maltreatment Central Registry is disqualifying pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410. The educator is requesting a waiver.
 

The Trumann School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer asynchronous and synchronous learning with virtual and blended options through an approved digital learning provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  The DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for Trumann School District for five years.

The Pea Ridge School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning with curriculum facilitated by certified Pea Ridge teachers as well as from an approved digital content provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  The DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for Pea Ridge School District for five years.

The Springdale School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual and blended approach using district curriculum as well as curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Springdale School District for five years.

The Bergman School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades 9-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Bergman School District for five years.

The Fort Smith School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-8.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Fort Smith School District for five years.

The Rogers School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using district curriculum as well as curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Rogers School District for five years.

The Russellville School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using district curriculum as well as curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Russellville School District for five years.

The Harrison School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades 3-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using district curriculum in conjunction with online resources.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Harrison School District for five years.

The Texarkana  School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using district curriculum in conjunction with online resources.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Texarkana School District for five years.

The Westside Johnson County  School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Guy Fenter Cooperative and curriculum from an approved digital provider.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-22 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.  DESE requests approval of the Act 1240 Digital Learning Application and waivers for the Texarkana School District for one year.

The Siloam Springs School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program application for students in grades K-8.  The program will offer asynchronous learning through an approved digital learning provider.  Synchronous instruction will be available for students in need of additional interventions.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  

The Siloam Springs School District is requesting a waiver of teacher licensure for art and music classes in their virtual program.  The art curriculum will be provided by an approved digital provider and delivered by a licensed elementary teacher.  The music curriculum will be developed by Siloam Springs music teachers and delivered by a licensed elementary teacher.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2025-26 school year.  

The Lincoln School District is requesting an extension of waiver for class size and teaching load, library media specialist  time requirements and daily planning period forty minute increments.  The waivers are being requested for an additional five years.  

The Smackover-Norphlet School District is requesting an extension of their K-12 waiver for teacher licensure.  The waiver is being requested for an additional five years.  

The Helena-West Helena School District is requesting an extension of the waiver for K-12 teacher licensure.  The waiver is being requested for an additional five years.  

The North Little Rock School District is requesting a one-year Standards for Accreditation waiver for principal licensure for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year due to a principal resignation that occurred on April 1, 2021. 

The Lee County School District, in consultation with the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, requested that the Division provide Level 5 -- Intensive support to the District pursuant to the Arkansas Educational Support and Acccountability Act, Ark. Code Ann. §  6-15-2901 et seq. and the Division's rules governing that Act.   Accordingly, the Division recommends that the State Board classify the District as in need of Level 5 -- Intensive support.   If the State Board classifies the District in need of Level 5 -- Intensive support, it may take actions inlcuding those set forth in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-2916.  


 

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is requesting approval from the State Board of Education to amend the assessment system to include a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally-recognized work readiness certificate to each student before he or she graduates from high school.  This assessment expansion is being requested to meet Act 319 of 2021 of the 93rd General Assembly.

The CTE Policies and Procedures for Career and Technical Education is necessary because of Act 545 of 2021. ADE staff respectfully requests approval to release these rules for public comment, pending review by the Governor's office.

Pursuant to the authority granted to the State Board of Education, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) respectfully requests approval of the Arkansas Better Chance Program Renewal Grants for the 2021-2022 school year in the total amount of $104,245,718.
 

Pursuant to the authority granted to the State Board of Education, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) respectfully requests approval of the Arkansas Better Chance Professional Service Grants for the 2021-2022 school year in the total amount of $6,504,720.15.

The Nominating Committee will notify all members of its nominees for Chair and Vice-Chair of the State Board for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.  After the Committee makes its nominations, the Chair will ask if there are any additional nominations from Board members not serving on the Committee.  After the Board has an opportunity to ask any questions to nominees, the election will be held.