Cristian Osorio from the Academies at Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, AR was one of ten national officers elected to serve on the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America’s (FCCLA) National Executive Council (NEC) at FCCLA’s Hybrid National Leadership Conference held June 27-July 2, 2021, in Nashville, TN, with more than 2,5000 registered attendees participating. Cristian is the son of Alejandra Osorio of Jonesboro and will be serving as FCCLA’s Vice President of Programs throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

Being elected to serve on the National Executive Council (NEC) is the highest leadership honor an FCCLA member can achieve. National Officers serve as role models alongside their National Executive Council Adviser (NECA) and set a positive example for FCCLA’s entire membership. Inspired by this year’s theme, officers are challenged to "Make it Count" to as they lead FCCLA’s more than 180,000 members and over 5,000 Family and Consumer Sciences educators toward new horizons.

Nena Edmonds from Jonesboro Public Schools will serve as one of ten NECA representing FCCLA throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Mrs. Edmonds will be supporting her National Officer, Cristian, as well as guiding FCCLA members, preparing for conferences, meetings, and events, assisting National Staff, and representing the organization in various capacities. These advisers provide valuable Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) knowledge and intuition as well as FCCLA experience used to help advance FCCLA nationally.
 

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  school 87 districts for a total of 258 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 58 school districts requesting a total of 120 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by Department staff, and are consistent with program guidelines.

Under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422 members of the PLSB serve rotating terms, and are appointed by the State Board from nominations made by professional education associations. Dr. Karen Lasker has been nominated by the Arkansas Association of School Personnel Administrators (ArkASPA) to represent their membership. Dr. Lasker is the current Director of Personnel for the Conway School District. The term of this member is to begin immediately and will end on June 30, 2022.

The Jasper School District is requesting a one-year waiver of class size and teaching load so that the district can partner with UALR to hire intern teachers enrolled in the UALR teacher preparation program. The waiver request is for Jasper Elementary School, grades 5-6, for writing and English only.

The Van Buren School District is requesting a 5-year waiver of class size and teaching load so that the district may participate in the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Teacher Apprenticeship Program. The request is for all elementary schools in the district, grades K-5. 

The Pine Bluff School District is requesting a waiver of class size and teaching load so that the district may partner with UAPB to hire intern teachers enrolled in the UAPB teacher preparation program. The waiver request is for all schools, K-12, and is for three years. 

On April 11, 2019, upon the recommendation of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, the State Board of Education classified the Marvel School District as being in fiscal distress status.  The District petitions this Board for removal from fiscal distress status and the Division recommends removal.    

SBE requested a follow-up report presented by Educational Cooperative consortiums at the start of the school year to provide information regarding the implementation of approved digital learning applications.  

The Kirby School District is requesting to add K-6 to their State Board approved Digital Learning Plan.  The district will utilize the Dawson Cooperative Consortium.

The Lonoke School District is requesting to add K-2 to their State Board approved Digital Learning plan.  The district will utilize the Wilbur D. Mills Cooperative Consortium.

The Rivercrest School District is requesting to add K-8 to their State Board approved Digital Learning Plan.

The Clarendon School District is requesting to add K-6 to their State Board approved Digital Learning plan.  The district will utilize the Arkansas River Consortium.

The Nettleton School District is requesting to add 7-12 to their State Board approved Digital Learning plan.  The district will utilize Virtual Arkansas.

The Concord School District is requesting to add K-2 to their State Board approved Digital Learning plan.

The Poyen School District is requesting to add K-8 to their State Board approved Digital Learning Plan.

The Huntsville School District is requesting to add K-2 to their State Board approved Digital Learning Plan.

The  Hampton 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 with Virtual Arkansas courses offered to 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the district and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size waiver is requested; however, teaching load waiver 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  Lakeside Garland 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 for K-6 and Buzz for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the district and Buzz.  Class size waiver is requested; however, teaching load waiver 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 Paris 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, Lincoln Learning and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the district, Lincoln Learning and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size waiver is requested; however, a teaching load waiver 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 Hope 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 Buzz/Lincoln Learning.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the district and Buzz/Lincoln Learning.  Class size waiver is not requested; however, a teaching load waiver will 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 Eureka Springs 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 Edgenuity and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by Edgenuity and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Maynard 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 Lincoln Learning.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the district and Lincoln Learning.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 West Fork School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the district.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and employed by the district.  Class size and teaching load waivers are not requested.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Pocahontas School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by Lincoln Learning/Buzz.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by Lincoln Learning/Buzz.  Class size waiver is requested; however teaching is not requested.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Nashville 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 EdOptions Academy.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by Edmentum.  The district is not requesting class size or teaching load waivers.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Cotter 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 Buzz/Lincoln Learning for K-6 and Virtual Arkansas for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by Buzz/Lincoln Learning and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Two Rivers 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Nemo Vista 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Perryville 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Quitman 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Lafayette 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Pottsville 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Caddo Hills School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-6.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Arkansas River Consortium.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Atkins 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Wonderview 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 Arkansa River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers are not requested.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Mt. Vernon-Enola 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 Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers 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 Hot Springs School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-6.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Dawson Consortium.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided the consortium.  Class size waiver will be required for K-6.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

The Lavaca 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 Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided by the coop and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

IDEA has submitted an application to establish an Open-Enrollment school in two locations in Arkansas beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year. Both locations will follow a college prep education model. 

Premier High School Fort Smith has submitted an application to establish an Open-Enrollment school beginning the 2022-2023 academic year. The school would be located within the Fort Smith School District. The charter would follow a Credit Recovery/ALE and Personalized Learning educational model. 

Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy (AMFRA) has submitted an application to establish an Open-Enrollment charter school beginning in the 2022-2023 academic year. The charter will follow a college preparatory educational model with a military academy and first responder concentration.  

The Bryant School District has submitted a request for a waiver of standard 4-F, Library Media Specialist, in the event of an enrollment increase at Bryant Junior High during the 2021-2022 school year. 

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Annexation and Consolidation of School Districts, Sections 2.00, 13.00, and Table of Contents only, pending Governor's Office approval.  

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing The Arkansas Tutoring Corps, pending Governor's Office Approval 

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Eligibility and Financial Incentives for Arkansas Leadership Academy Master Principal, pending Governor's Office approval.

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Eligibility and Financial Incentives for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, pending Governor's Office approval.
 

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Background Checks, pending Governor's Office approval.

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing The Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators, pending Governor's Office approval.

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Educator Licensure, pending Governor's Office approval.
 

The Division requests that the Board release the DESE Rules Governing Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, pending Governor's Office approval.

Update on progress of state reading initiative RISE Arkansas and literacy actions throughout the state to support the implementation of Science of Reading.