ADE Briefs

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Education today announces a new mobile app for smart phones and tablets that provides easy access to information on Arkansas school districts, schools, and educational cooperatives. It can also be used on desktop and laptop computers. The app was developed by the Department’s Research and Technology Division. It [...]

April 10, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) Today, the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) released a series of case studies from 28 states highlighting examples of innovative educational initiatives that are playing a crucial role in improving K-12 education across the country. The programs identified in these case studies were funded through the Enhancing Education Through [...]

The board approved a three-year renewal with the stipulation that the district in one year provide more information for review.

Vilonia Superintendent Frank Mitchell is requesting a renewal of two district conversion charters: the Vilonia Academy of Technology and the Vilonia Academy of Service and Technology. The ADE’s Charter Review Council recommends three year renewals on each. Several of the board members questioned why Vilonia needs a charter to emphasize technology and whether that was [...]

Board member Vicki Saviers said there needs to be an option for parents in the LRSD for middle school because of improvements needed in LRSD middle schools. Board member Sam Ledbetter made a motion to grant the enrollment cap increase with a renewal of five years with reports on performance measures. The motion was passed. [...]

LISA Academy  is requesting renewal of its charter. The ADE’s Charter Review Council recommends a 10-year renewal and the school’s request for a cap increase from 600 to 800. LISA played a video by Gov. Mike Beebe praising the school and its students as examples others in Arkansas can follow. Chris Heller, lawyer for the [...]

Day 2 of the April State Board of Education meeting began with Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville seeking a renewal of its charter.  The ADE ‘s charter review council has recommended a 10-year renewal. School founder Marvin Schoppmeyer told the board that his school scores the highest in the state on multiple academic indicators.  ”We [...]

“We are one avenue of Arkansas’ innovation in education,” said Scott Sides, the director of the Virtual Academy. Dr. Kimbrell said there should be a way to serve students who for whatever reason aren’t able to attend the regular schedule of public school day. The SBE approved the renewal. The SBE also approved a requested [...]

The charter for the Cabot Academic Center for Excellence conversion charter school was renewed without dissent for five years. The Academics Plus open enrollment charter in Maumelle was next on the agenda. The ADE’s Charter Review Council recommended a three-year renewal with annual updates. “They need to make greater gains with the kids they have,” [...]

Earle  Superintendent Rickey Nicks said he was excited to have the chance to be removed from fiscal distress. He said he opposed the ADE’s attempt to place the district in fiscal distress. But he said he was new to the job and realized soon that his district should have been in fiscal distress for a [...]