DESE Educator Effectiveness and Licensure would like to recognize Arkansas Rising Educators who placed in Educators Rising National Competitions or served in a national level Educators Rising leadership position. Educators Rising National Competitions are performance-based competitive events in which aspiring educators demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and leadership in education.


 

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 34 school districts for a total of 46 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 10 school districts requesting a total of 18 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 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 order a written reprimand, assess a fine of $100 due within 90 days of the State Board Order. Recommended training ERC20059: Professional Licensure Standards Board Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators: Ethical Scenarios in Education (2020) credit hours:1. Title: Becoming an Emotionally Intelligent Teacher 1st Edition Author: William Powell ISBN 10:1620878798 ISBN 13:978-1620878798 All costs paid by Educator Beall. 

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 requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License or Non-Renewal; assess a $500 fine. (All costs paid by Educator Jones)
 

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 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 requests the State Board of Education order a 1 year probation; assess a $200 fine to be paid within ninety (90) days of the State Board Final Order; required to complete through the ArkansasIDEAS online portal ERC20059: Professional Licensure Standards Board Code of Ethics training to explain how his actions created student impact and how he will utilize the Code of Ethics in his interactions in the future; Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success—No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author: Linda Galindo ISBN 10: ISBN 13: 9780470500163; Written reflection on this training to discuss how his decisions impacted students and how he intends to change those behaviors in the future.
 (All costs paid by Educator Bramlett).
 

The members of the Arkansas State Board of Education are requested to review the following:
Commercial Bond Applications -5 Second Lien and 4 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.  

The State Board of Education removed this Professional Licensure Standards Board case from the consent agenda at the July 2021 meeting and requested review.  Educator Morrow previously accepted the sanction recommended by the Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee regarding a violation of standards 1 and 2 of the Code of Ethics for Arkansas educators.
 

The State Board of Education removed this Professional Licensure Standards Board case from the consent agenda at the July 2021 meeting and requested review.  Educator Hudson previously accepted the sanction recommended by the Professional Licensure Standards Board Ethics Subcommittee regarding a violation of Standards 1 and 2 of the Code of Ethics for Arkansas educators.
 

The Arkansas Department of Education received information that educator has a true finding for Neglect 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. Educator Kidwell is represented by Attorney Greg Alagood.
 

The Arkansas Department of Education received information that educator has a true finding for Neglect 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.
 

Act 421 of 2013 allows curriculum frameworks from two (2) separate courses to be taught in a single course, known as a combined or embedded course.  Three school districts made application for approval of combined or embedded courses and assured, in writing, that the academic standards for both courses will be fully taught in the combined or embedded course.  The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education respectfully requests the State Board of Education (SBE) approve the embedded courses linked below, understanding that when the academic standards for one of the courses are revised, a new course approval request must be submitted to the SBE and approval must be granted before a school would be allowed to offer the embedded course.

The Mena School District requests an extension of its Act 1240 waiver related to instructional time for Mena High School (9-12) Alternative Education students. The request is for an extension of 5 years. If approved, the Act 1240 waiver would expire in 2026. 

The Western Yell County School District requests a waiver of teacher licensure for K-6 physical education only. The request is for three years. If approved, the waiver would expire in 2024. 

The Osceola School District requests a waiver of class size, teaching load and teacher licensure. The request is for three years. If approved, the waiver would expire in 2024. 

The Pine Bluff School District is requesting an extension of their teacher licensure waivers. After feedback from the internal review committee, the school district has amended this request to be for three years rather than five. 

The Clarendon School District requests a 1-year extension of its teacher licensure waivers. 

Friendship Aspire Academy Pine Bluff is requesting an amendment to add an additional campus, increase the enrollment cap and add additional waivers.  The charter was originally granted in 2017 and serves students in grades K-3 with an enrollment cap of 240.   The charter has been approved to expand to grade six and increase the enrollment cap to 880 by 2023-2024.  

Bauxite Miner Academy has submitted an amendment request for Digital Learning Program, an increase in the enrollment cap from 250 to 300, and the addition of grades K-5 to the charter. 

The school will offer instruction in both asynchronous and synchronous formats, with grades K-6 being offered virtually, and grades 7-12 in a blended model. The charter expires in June 2023. 

Cabot Academic Center for Excellence has submitted an amendment for a Digital Learning Program in grades 7-12. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction with virtual and blended options through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. 

Cabot Academic Center for Excellence is requesting an amendment to relocate the existing campus, and increase the enrollment cap to 2,500. The charter expires June, 2022.

Arkansas Arts Academy has submitted an amendment request for a Digital Learning Program at Arkansas Arts Academy Elementary; grades K-6, and Arkansas Arts Academy High School; grades 7-12. 

Arkansas Arts Academy Elementary will offer both asynchronous and synchronous instruction in a virtual environment through a Learning Management System (LMS). Arkansas Arts Academy High School will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through a LMS. The Charter expires June, 2028. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program for three (3) years. 

Batesville High School Charter has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction with virtual and blended options through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June, 2026. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program for three (3) years. 
 

Cave City School District has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program for Cave City Middle School Career and Collegiate Preparatory; grades 6-8, and Cave City High School Career and Collegiate Preparatory; grades 9-12. 
Both campuses will offer synchronous instruction virtually through a Learning Management System utilizing licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. Both charters expire June 2026. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved both Digital Learning Programs for three (3) years. 

Cross County Elementary has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 3-6. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June 2022. 

Cross County High School has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 7-12. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June 2026. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program for three (3) years. 

Friendship Aspire Academy Pine Bluff has submitted an amendment for a Digital Learning Program in grades K-5. The school will offer Asynchronous and Synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June 2023. 

Hot Springs School District has submitted an amendment request for Hot Springs World Class High School; grades 10-12, and Hot Springs Junior Academy; grades 7-8. Both campuses will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. Hot Springs World Class High School charter expires June 2026. Hot Springs Junior Academy charter expires in June 2022. 

The Charter Authorizing Panel (CAP) approved the Digital Learning Program for Hot Springs Junior Academy until the charter expires in one (1) year. The CAP approved Hot Springs World Class High School for three (3) years. 

North Little Rock Center of Excellence has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction delivered virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE staff. The charter expires June 2022. 

Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program for the Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy High and West Little Rock Classical campuses. Both campuses are grades 7-12. The schools will offer asynchronous instruction in a virtual format through an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires in June, 2028. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program for three (3) years. 
 

Prairie Grove Charter High School has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June 2022. 

Premier High School Little Rock has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires June 2023.
 

Premier High School of North Little Rock has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires in June 2024. 
 

ScholarMade Achievement Place of Arkansas has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades K-9 for all campuses. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction in a blended format through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The charter expires in June 2023. 

The Bearden School District is requesting an amendment to their approved State Board Digital Learning Plan.

Bismarck School District is requesting to add Kindergartent to the district's State Board of Education approved Digital Learning Plan.

Clinton School District is requesting to add K-8 to the district's State Board of Education approved Digital Learning Plan.

South Conway County is requesting to add K-6 to the district's State Board of Education approved Digital Learning Plan.

The Brinkley 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 district and Edgenuity.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the district and Edgenuity.  Class size and teaching load waivers are not being requested.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-24 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Benton 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 Dawson Consortium for K-6 and the district and Edmentum for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided the consortium for K-6 and the district for 7-12.  Class size waiver will be required for K-6; however, teaching load will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Rosebud 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 Wilbur Mills Consortium for K-8 and Virtual Arkansas for 9-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size is requested; however, teaching load waiver is not being requested.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-22 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.