Forward Arkansas

It is a TREAT to work alongside our partners to improve outcomes for all Arkansas students. Happy Halloween from all of us at !

We may be nearing the end of , but ensuring all students have access to high-quality, literacy-rich learning environments remains a focus for the .

For Mindy Bowlin, Pea Ridge School District principal, one of the most exciting parts of being part of the ’s schoolwide transformation pathway is the chance to “open the gate to hear more voices.” With personalized coaching, inter-team collaboration and continuous community feedback, PRIS is honing in on its intention to build a “more positive, collective environment” where everyone is aligned in making decisions that put kids’ needs first.

How can we build on existing strengths and maximize opportunities for improvement to drive continued educational progress for Arkansas students? Thank you, Arkadelphia, for your valuable insights at our Community Education Conversation last month! El Dorado, we want to hear your feedback and ideas TOMORROW, October 22! Details below. ⬇

Thank you to our partners at the Office for Education Policy for this must-read blog that puts Arkansas students’ test scores on the new statewide assessment, , into context. Instead of viewing the results as a “once-a-year snapshot,” OEP shares how these data points can reflect academic growth and opportunities to support increased achievement.

Proficiency in Arkansas: Same Numbers, Different Test Achievement scores from last Spring’s new statewide assessment called ATLAS were released publicly today. As stakeholders around the state start to make meaning of what the results mean for educato…

Art opens up limitless opportunities for exploration, engagement and enrichment for students. ICYMI, the Arkansas Department of Education recently shared how the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is offering FREE on-site and virtual tours during the 2024-2025 school year.

Walker School Tour Program | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Crystal Bridges offers FREE school field trips and educational tours to any students. Schedule one for your class today!

Marques Collins, Marvell-Elaine School District principal, is proud of his team’s resiliency and dedication to “building students up.” Through the , they’re leaning into the “freedom” to develop solutions they believe will engage, energize and equip their learners for post-graduation success.

On a Mission to Build Students Up: Marques Collins of Marvell-Elaine High School As the principal of a small rural high school in Phillips County, Marques Collins understands he is responsible for “wearing many hats.” However, he conside

What is Thaddeus Pearson, Pine Bluff School District assistant principal, most proud of about his school? “We have an amazing culture and climate. Our students have truly become a part of our beliefs and practices.” We can’t wait to see how he and the PBJH team continue to “bring new innovative ideas to make things happen” as part of the continuation pathway.

Serving as a school principal is no easy feat. It requires untold hard work and, above all, an unwavering dedication to their students and school teams. Through the and other initiatives, we are honored to support these leaders and witness their incredible impact on our state’s future.

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Thank you to the schoolwide transformation pathway of our for sharing its insight about how we can uplift and amplify its school improvement efforts! Our team can’t wait to see your continued progress in Phase II.

Creative collaboration, adaptability and the ability to effectively deploy integrated support systems. Yet another reason why . Thanks, City of Little Rock, AR - Government and Little Rock School District!

Being one of the Little Rock School District's community schools site coordinators is hard work, but it’s also “heart work” to connect the dots for families and create welcoming environments where all students can thrive. Yet another reason why . Don’t miss our conversation with these school leaders below! ⬇

Stewards for Students: Saluting Little Rock’s Community Schools Site Coordinators Pictured (left to right): Steven Young, Tara Kindle, Angelia Johnson, Valerie Rasul, Sabrina Mills, Kaila Davis, Sky Brower and Marthelle Hadley Serving as a

If there was ever any doubt, our conversation with Batesville School District reaffirms that ! Whether pioneering new health initiatives or strategically deploying resources to meet children’s needs, their team of community schools site coordinators has discovered there’s “no limit to what they can accomplish” to help local students and families succeed. 👏

Pioneering Success: Celebrating Batesville’s Community School Coordinators When Batesville’s community schools coordinators say their unofficial motto is “Nothing is impossible,” they truly mean it. No matter the potential part

What is , and how is it helping increase the number of qualified, certified and diverse teachers in our state?

The team is excited to host another Community Education Conversation! This time, we’re headed to Arkadelphia. Join us on Tuesday, September 24 to share your feedback about how our state’s educational policies impact students and educators in your area. We look forward to seeing you there!

The deadline for school districts to pursue two grant opportunities with Arkansas Department of Education's Division of Career and Technical Education is fast approaching! Applications close on Friday, September 20 for non-traditional and reserve innovation grants for the 2024-2025 academic year. Find out more below. ⬇

ADE Division of Career and Technical Education - Perkins & Accountability Any individual who observes, detects, or suspects improper use of taxpayer funds under Section 9203 of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which amended the ESEA in 2015 can report allegations of fraud or other criminal activity to the U.S. Department of Education Office of the Inspector General (OIG).....

A clear vision can drive lasting change. As part of our schoolwide transformation pathway, the Marvell-Elaine School District is gathering feedback from within and outside its buildings to pinpoint areas of greatest need and opportunities for continued progress for students, families, teachers and the community.

TNTP has unveiled a new interactive resource, which showcases the current student-teacher representation gap, including here in Arkansas, and promising solutions to address it to help enable students to thrive in the classroom, workforce and life.

K-12 Demographic Data Dashboards - TNTP Join TNTP in transforming education. We lead in research, policy, and consulting for American public education.

We couldn’t agree more. Here’s to a summer well spent working alongside our partners to improve outcomes for all Arkansas students. Happy !

Through the , we are lifting up and ensuring teachers play an integral role in the educational improvement process. ICYMI: Read more in Ben Kutylo’s column for Talk Business & Politics-Statewide here: https://tinyurl.com/4nyt5f97

“Today, more than ever, Arkansas K-12 students rely on the internet. But what’s the fallback option for those children without dependable broadband at home or within their communities at convenient and safe locations?” Our own Imaobong Dixon, M.Ed., gives an update on how the Arkansas Connectivity Coalition is supporting the strategic deployment of $1 billion in federal funding to upgrade and expand our state’s efforts: https://tinyurl.com/ms6z6eku

Inter-school collaboration, personalized coaching, change management. What does the experience entail? Don’t miss this Q&A with our own Meghan Thompson, senior manager of programs, as she sums up Phase I and hopes for Phase II: https://tinyurl.com/yc8xuhp5

Forward Arkansas ForwARd Arkansas is working to ensure every Arkansas student graduates prepared for success in colleg

And they’re off! participants in the schoolwide transformation pathway are gathering feedback from fellow teachers, students, parents and community members to determine their greatest needs and priority areas.