Review of Pine Bluff School District's Level 5 Exit Criteria and Fiscal Distress

Calico Rock is requesting a one (1) year Standards for Accreditation waiver for 1-A.5 Class Size for the 2023-2024 School Year. The request is to exceed the maximum number of students in fourth grade by one (1) student. The district has also requested to exceed the class size maximum by three (3) for third grade for a total of 25. However, the maximum for third grade is twenty-five (25) with an average of twenty-three (23) students. 

The Mountainburg School District is requesting a Standards for Accreditation waiver for the 2023-2024 school year for second and third grades. The second grade cohort is over by three (3) students and the third grade is over the maximum number of students by one (1) student for all classes and three (3) students for social studies and science. 

Act 421 of 2013 allows curriculum frameworks from two separate courses to be taught in a single course, known as a combined or embedded course.  School districts have applied for approval of combined or embedded courses and assured, in writing, that the curriculum frameworks 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 curriculum frameworks 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.

Ark. Code Ann. § 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 83 school districts for a total of 183 waivers. There were also requests for long-term substitutes from 68 school districts requesting a total of 156 waivers for long-term substitutes. These requests have been reviewed, were either approved or denied by DESE 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 requests the State Board of Education order a Permanent Revocation of License and assess a $500 fine.
 

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 2 year Probation of License and assess a $250 fine. Require Educator to complete the following coursework/readings: Code of Ethics Training Provided by the PLSB (1.5 Hours), ERC23004: Code of Ethics Part One: Professional Relationships (.5 Credit Hour), TCC22007: SMACtalk for Teachers: Online Etiquette (1 Credit Hour), Title: The 85% Solution: How Personal Accountability Guarantees Success -- No Nonsense, No Excuses (256p) Author:  Linda Galindo ISBN 10: ISBN 13: 9780470500163, and Title: The Power Paradox: How We Gain and Lose Influence (208p) Author: Dacher Keltner ISBN 10: 0143110292 ISBN 13: 978-0143110293. Written reflections on each book/training on how they will influence the educator’s future interactions with students. Due to the PLSB?for approval within 90 days of the State Board Order and require Educator to pay all associated costs.
 

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 and assess a $500 fine.
 

AMS Schools-Arkansas has submitted an application to establish an open-enrollment charter school beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year.  The charter will follow a traditional and college prep education model.  The Charter Authorizing Panel unanimously voted to approve the application request.  

Bentonville School for Advanced Studies has submitted an application to establish an open-enrollment charter school beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year.  The charter will follow a college prep education model.  The Charter Authorizing Panel voted to unanimously approve the application request.  

Freedom Learning Academy has submitted an application for an Open Enrollment Charter School. The Charter Authorizing Panel denied approval of the Open Enrollment charter application based on the following:  1.  Numerous uncertainties about the business model effectiveness of the school structure.  2.  Implementation of the model not stated clearly in the application or presentation. 3.  Lack of clarity in the application and presentation.  4.  Gaps in the implementation of the curriculum.  Five Charter Authorizing Panel Members voted for the denial of the application.