Arkansas Department of Education - Newsroom (2024)

On March 8, 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 237, known as the Arkansas LEARNS Act, into law. The Arkansas LEARNS Act is bold and comprehensive and will transform education in Arkansas.

For more details, check out the L.E.A.R.N.S. website!

The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE): Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is pleased to announce the release of the School Communication Tool on the Insights platform. The School Communication Tool is intended for Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents and, District Communication Directors to notify School Closures/Late Start/Early Release to the department using an electronic (web-based) mechanism.

Here is the URL: https://insight.ade.arkansas.gov/

• Use your State Active Directory (APSCN) credentials to log-on.
• Post log-on, click on the Core tab and then to click on School Communication Tool module.

The reasons for School Closure and date/time of actual School Closures are the other pertinent fields mandatory for reporting this to the department. Please ensure the information is submitted at the earliest convenience to the department, prior or, closer to the actual event happening to keep the department and other relevant stakeholders informed.

Types of School Closures/Late Start/Early Release:

• Bomb Threat
• Contagious Disease
• Fire Damage
• Gun Shooting
• HVAC Issue
• Inclement Weather
• Other - Emergency
• Other - Non-Emergency
• Plumbing Issue
• Power Outage
• Tornado Damage

If you have any additional clarification, please email ADE.Communications@ADE.Arkansas.Gov

The School Communication Tool goes live on Monday, February 6, 2023. Only events related School Closures/Late Start/Early Release post 02.06.2023 needs to be reports on this tool. There are no requirements to report past events of the current school year, 2022 - 2023.

Note: This reporting is independent of the mandatory Calendar reporting done in eSchoolPLUS Student Management System.

The Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS) – Application Portal goes ‘live’ on Monday, October 3, 2022, at 8:00 AM CST. The upgrade and migration of YOUniversal to the Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS) Portal completed successfully over September 29-30, 2022. Please use the in-built Support tab: Ticket System to reach out to us directly for any technical SAMS issues. Additionally, continue to use the Financial Aid Support Team email: finaid@adhe.edu for queries related to Financial Aid Eligibility.

NOTE: Student’s (Applicants) YOUniversal email and password will continue to work on the SAMS Portal. You will be prompted to set up 3 password related questions upon log-on SAMS – Applicant Portal for the first time.

Here's an overview of the SAMS new features.

For more information, visit https://sams.adhe.edu/

The Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education: Office of Information Technology (OIT) is pleased to launch a new version of its website. It is anticipated that the new site, which was built internally by the department’s Office of Information Technology, will save the state $50,000 in its first year.

In addition to a new look; the website features an enhanced search option, a new chatbot feature, and streamlined access that gives visitors the ability to access strategic information in as little as three clicks of the mouse.

“We are excited to offer stakeholders a more user-friendly website that saves taxpayers money at the same time,” ADE Secretary Johnny Key said. “When state government transformed in July 2019, we began looking for opportunities to streamline processes across divisions, improve services, and save money. Thanks to the ADE Office of Information Technology, which built this website internally, the financial savings will extend for years to come as maintenance on the site also will be handled internally.”

The new website is built using modern computer language .NET core that is simplified, offers additional website capabilities, and makes the site more user-friendly. The site incorporates a customizable search feature that gives the division flexibility to populate the search as new content is added to the site.

The new chatbot feature, which can be accessed by clicking on the “Any questions?” link in the bottom right corner of the page, allows users to ask the automated system questions that will quickly search for answers primarily among Commissioner’s Memos and information about major projects. It is not intended to replace the search feature but enhances the user’s ability to access information quickly.

To access the new website, go to https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov.

The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to launch the Statewide Community Resources Portal, a website that connects schools and communities with much-needed information about available support services around the state.

As a result of COVID-19, many students and families were in need of essential support services, or “wrap-around” services, such as financial, healthcare, and housing assistance. While many organizations provide such services around the state, a comprehensive repository of information did not exist.

This need for the website became evident after ADE launched the ENGAGE Arkansas initiative with the Education Renewal Zones and Graduation Alliance in an effort to locate and assist students who have become disengaged or are at risk of becoming disengaged with school. As the ERZs began locating community supports for students, it was quickly determined that a quick reference list of services for families did not exist. ADE and the ERZs then partnered with the Arkansas Department of Human Services to develop the portal.

“We are excited to make this website available to everyone around the state,” ADE Secretary Johnny Key said. “While the site will assist schools with providing much-needed services to students, the potential for this website extends beyond schools to DHS and Workforce Services offices, as well as others, around the state who also provide wrap-around services to their clients.”

The website, maintained by ADE Office of Information Technology (OIT) is updated weekly with new resources, currently contains more than 50 categories of services ranging from abuse services to daycare and transportation assistance. Community partners who are interested in adding their contact information to the site may complete the form provided at the “Statewide Supplemental Community Resources” link at the top of the website.

To access the portal, go to https://adedata.arkansas.gov/scr.

The Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Information Technology is pleased to announce the release of Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities & Transportation (DPSAFT) new website.

The website is built on modern .NET Core computer language that is simplified and more user friendly. NET Coreoffers more and more components and libraries for use. In May 2019, Microsoft announced WPF and WinForms under .NET Core, giving developers desktop application compatibility and the possibility to migrate old apps to .NET Corein thefuture. Information is more easily accessible where-in stakeholders were asked for input on the new website. This aligns with Governor’s Transformation. The web portal incorporates universal Search feature along with Chat-Bot feature (QnA maker).

The web portal is augmented by in-built Content Management System (CMS) that allows for seamless updates by the Division itself.

https://dpsaft.ade.arkansas.gov/

The Arkansas Playbook was created in an effort to provide resources and/or guidance in tackling unfinished learning for teachers by fellow teachers upon the return to school. The idea of the Arkansas Playbook was to put it into immediate action as a response to the change from onsite to offsite instruction due to COVID-19. It was released mid-May in order to get unit plans in the hands of educators prior to the close of the 2019-2020 school year to fosterthinking and planning for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year.

The playbook addresses continuous improvement for not only tackling unfinished learning but in creating an ongoing process to focus on student learning and results in a collaborative culture.

Please visit the Arkansas Playbook webpage https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/special-projects/addressing-unfinished-learning

June 4, 2020, the ADE: Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced the Arkansas Ready for Learning Model. School Year 2019-2020 is coming to a close. Now is the time to begin planning for School Year 2020-2021.

Arkansas believes learning can happen anytime, anywhere. The COVID-19 pandemic put this belief to the test, and we are resolute in our commitment to the continuity of learning. Our vision to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education is unwavering. In fact, it is more important now than ever before. As described in the Arkansas ESSA Plan, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) remains committed to the established process of continuous improvement through the six systems of public education. In the wake of COVID-19, Arkansas schools are now challenged to reassess their school and district plans. Arkansas has a strong foundation, and we have identified three key factors necessary for Arkansas to be Ready for Learning: blended learning, guaranteed and viable curriculum, and a student-focused approach.
The Arkansas Ready for Learning Model provides the LEA the opportunity to opt into a student-focused statewide model of blended learning to ensure the health and academic progress of each student.

The Arkansas Ready for Learning Model provides the LEA the flexibility to request waivers for remote learning with the assurance that learning continues and the LEA has the ability to move to face-to-face, blended, or remote learning as needed without AMI approval or make-up days.

Please visit the Ready for Learning webpagehttps://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/communications/arkansas-ready-for-learning

Please send any questions toade.RfL@arkansas.gov

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is transforming the ADE Summit to a virtual event. The conference is scheduled for June 16-18, 2020. The Summit will continue to offer everything needed to develop schools into an exceptional Professional Learning Communities that will lead the nation in student-focused education.

The Summit will be free of charge to all registrants. Registration will open on May 18, 2020.The ADE believes the virtual platform, in combination with free access, will expand the reach of the conference to a larger audience.

There is also an option to register for the Summit and become a member of the Arkansas Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD) at the same time. The cost to pay for an AASCD membership with free conference registration is $80 per person.

Providing professional development credit remains up to the district's discretion. No certificates will be provided by ADE.However, SCHED does offer the ability to print an individual's schedule of sessions.

For additional information and registration details, please visit the ADE Summit website at:

https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/communications/ade-summit

Because the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) shares a primary responsibility for the safety and well-being of Arkansas students, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) would like to provide guidance and information related to the respiratory illness COVID-19.

To learn more, please visit https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/communications/covid-19-information.

Governor Asa Hutchinson today unveiled new logos that represent each of the state’s 15 newly created cabinet-level departments as well as a general seal to represent all of Arkansas state government.

The new logos will be implemented in an efficient and cost-effective manner, meaning all current forms of communications, such as letterhead and envelopes, will be used before ordering new stock. The departments have already begun using the logos on social media and in email signatures. You can find all 15 logos HERE.

“Each of the 15 departments has a unique role in state government, but the overall goal is the same: identify efficiencies in order to provide a better delivery of services to the people of our state at less cost to the taxpayer,” said Governor Hutchinson. “I believe the unified design of these logos reinforces that message by giving each department its own identity while maintaining a consistent look across the 15 departments.”

The logos were created by the Little Rock advertising firm CJRW at no cost to the state. CJRW provided the following explanation as to the objective of these designs:

“The overarching objective of the state logo project was to facilitate streamlined communications between state government departments as well as the general public. This involved creating a state logo identity system that would be easily recognizable, could work across multiple platforms and that was designed consciously for longevity.”

Governor Hutchinson signed the Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019 into law on April 12, 2019. This legislation, which cut the number of cabinet-level departments from 42 to 15, marked the largest reorganization of Arkansas state government in nearly 50 years. Governor Hutchinson appointed his 15 new cabinet secretaries in May, and they assumed their new roles on July 1.

The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of its new portal in the form of ADE Portal available via the URL: https://ade.arkansas.gov/ .

This new landing page is the agency’s front-facing page that directs visitors to each ADE division. Each ADE division is still accessible by going to the original web address. For example, you can still get to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education by going to https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov.

The core components of the ADE Portal are listed as follows:

• Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
• Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE)
• Division of Higher Education (DHE)
• Arkansas State Library (ASL)
• Arkansas School for the Deaf (ASD)
• Arkansas School for the Blind and Visual Impaired (ASBVI)
• MLK Commission and Board

Please send your feedback and comments to ADE.ITServices@Arkansas.Gov

The Division of Career and Technical Education (DCTE), now part of Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of their new website.

The new website address is:

https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov

The new site features several modules like Career and Technical Administration, Funding/Accountability, Licensing, Occupational Areas, Perkins; Professional Development, Work-Based Learning, Special Projects and Resources.

The site is completely responsive web design (RWD) in nature. RWD is an approach to web design that makes web pages render on a variety of devices and window or screen sizes. It enables to deliver the content, design and performance that are necessary across all devices to ensure usability and end-user satisfaction.

"The Division of Career and Technical Education is excited about the launch of the new website as one of the first collaborative projects to improve efficiencies and alignment of DCTE with the Arkansas Department of Education," said DCTE Director Dr. Angela Kremers. "The new site enhances the user experience with intuitive navigation of information and resources. We extend special thanks to Secretary Johnny Key and the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Information Technology (OIT) team for their expertise in the development and successful launch of the site."

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson has announced the names of the secretaries who will lead the 15 cabinets he created as part of his plan to transform state government.

Under Act 910 of 2019, the secretaries will assume leadership of the new cabinets on July 1. These new cabinets will replace the current 42 executive-level agencies.

“This is the culmination of two years of hard work that will make state government more efficient and allow agencies to be even more responsive to needs,” Governor Hutchinson said. “I have selected a diverse slate of secretaries whose cumulative years of experience are exactly what Arkansas needs as we grow our state and improve the quality of life for everyone.”

Of the 15 cabinet secretaries, seven are women. That represents the highest percentage (47%) of women in cabinet appointments in Arkansas history. This is the first reorganization of Arkansas state government in nearly 50 years.

The new secretaries, the cabinet each will lead, and links to their respective bios and headshots are below. To view the full list online, click HERE.

The official start date for all secretaries is July 1, 2019.

• Secretary of the Department of Agriculture – Wes Ward
  Ward currently serves the state as the Secretary of the Arkansas Agriculture Department (AAD).
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Commerce – Michael Preston
  Preston currently serves the state as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). He will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Corrections – Wendy Kelley
  Kelley currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC), soon to be known as the Division of Corrections. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Education – Johnny Key
  Keogh currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), soon to be known as the Division of Environmental Quality. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Energy and Environment – Becky W. Keogh
  Keogh currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ), soon to be known as the Division of Environmental Quality. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration – Larry W. Walther
  Walther currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Health – Dr. Nathaniel Smith
  Smith currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Human Services – Cindy Gillespie
  Gillespie currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS).
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Inspector General – Elizabeth Thomas Smith
  Smith currently serves the state as the Arkansas Medicaid Inspector General. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing – Daryl E. Bassett
  Bassett currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS), soon to be known as the Division of Workforce Services.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of the Military – Major General Mark H. Berry
  General Berry is the Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Stacy Hurst
  Hurst currently serves the state as the Director of the Department of Arkansas Heritage (DAH), soon to be known as the Division of Arkansas Heritage. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Public Safety – Jami Cook
  Cook currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ALETA), soon to be known as the Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training. She will continue to serve in both capacities.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services – Amy Fecher
  Fecher currently serves the state as the Chief Transformation Officer of the Governor’s Office of Transformation.
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

• Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs – Colonel (Ret.) Nathaniel (Nate) Todd
  Todd currently serves the state as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA).
  • Click HERE for Headshot.
  • Click HERE for Bio.

CONTACT: Press Shop (press@governor.arkansas.gov or 501.682.3642)

LITTLE ROCK —The Arkansas Department of Education is excited to host a four-day conferencenext month that gives teachers, administrators, and other education representatives the opportunity tonetwork and grow professionally.

The ADE Summit, which will be held June 18-21 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, combinesseveral smaller conferences into one large, robust event. Combining conferences about computerscience, dyslexia, data, school health, and other topics into one conference promotes efficiency, whilegiving all educators and school personnel from around the state the opportunity to learn aboutnumerous areas of interest at one location.

“The ADE Summit is a premier opportunity for professional learning for school personnel," GovernorAsa Hutchinson said. "The Summit will provide the opportunity for educators to share theirexperiences, build partnerships, and improve student learning. I commend the Department ofEducation for its efforts to provide a comprehensive conference, and I encourage teachers, schooladministrators, and school personnel to attend."

“In order to lead the nation in student-focused education, we must provide quality professionaldevelopment that promotes student learning,” ADE Commissioner Johnny Key said. “Through thisSummit, educators and school personnel will have the opportunity to network, hear from nationally-recognized speakers, and learn about best practices. Designed as a one-stop shop for professionaldevelopment, the Summit provides something for everyone – from transportation and facility directorsand bookkeepers, to teachers and administrators. I encourage all school personnel to register toattend this exciting event."

Organized into categories, such as collaboration, instruction, leadership, and operations, the Summitwill include presentations about academic content areas and school operations. In addition tohighlighting local best practices, numerous keynote speakers will be featured. Among them are Dr.Luis Cruz, who presents on methods from Transforming School Culture by Anthony Muhammad; Dr.Philip Warrick, an author and consultant for High Reliability Schools; Salome Thomas-EL, a principaland best-selling author from Delaware; and Regina Stephens Owens, an internationally-recognizedpresenter who focuses on building a culture of connectivity and collaboration.

The cost to attend the multi-day event is only $50 a person. Upon registration, those scheduled toattend can browse the numerous conference workshops and build schedules that are personalized to best meet their needs. To learn more about the summit and to register, please visit http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/communications/ade-summit-2019.

First comprehensive reorganization effort in 50 years

LITTLE ROCK – At a news conference this afternoon, Governor Asa Hutchinson unveiled his plan to cut the number of cabinet-level agencies from 42 to 15. This is first comprehensive effort to trim state government since 1972.

“This long-overdue and comprehensive reorganization effort will realign agencies to reflect a more modern and efficient way to operate state government without cutting any services,” Governor Hutchinson said during his presentation at the Arkansas State Capitol on Wednesday. “This will result in improved delivery of services and will ultimately save the state money and the taxpayer time.”

“Additionally, as was the case in the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during my time as Undersecretary, all reorganization efforts will be implemented using existing resources and without adding any additional staff,” added Governor Hutchinson.

You can find the proposed reorganization chart (revised May 5, 2019) and guide HERE and HERE.