ADE Briefs

ADE General Counsel Jeremy Lasiter presented the proposed ABC rule for DHS which administers the ABC program. The ADE funds the programs and the State Board of Education sets the rules. Board member Sam Ledbetter asked Lasiter if the rule was constitutional. Lasiter said he wouldn’t bring anything to the board that was unconstitutional. He [...]

The State Board put out for public comment a draft rule revision regarding the placement of districts on Academic Distress.  The draft plan would initially cite the bottom 5 percent of districts in the state as calculated using standardized test data. Kimbrell said the ADE is evaluating how the agency would provide the resources to [...]

Board member Jay Barth asked why Timbo High was seeking a waiver on teaching Spanish I in the classroom. Timbo wants to provide Spanish I through distance learning. Kimbrell said many districts must use distance learning for foreign language. The board granted the waiver.

Dr. Kimbrell said he was very pleased with the ESEA flexibility the state recently received from the US Department of Education. He praised ADE Chief of Staff Phyllis Stewart for her leadership role and a “tireless effort” to “get it just perfect.” He said the flexibility gives the schools a chance to have a plan [...]

The July meeting is underway. It’s the first meeting for new board member Dr. Jay Barth, a political science professor at Hendrix University. Gov. Mike Beebe appointed Barth to the board last week. It’s also the first meeting with a new chairman. Jim Cooper of Mountain Home is the chairman for 2012-2013.  He replaces Dr. [...]

LITTLE ROCK – Governor Mike Beebe today announced the following education board appointment: Dr. Jay Barth, Little Rock, to the State Board of Education. Appointment expires June 30, 2019. Replaces Dr. Ben Mays. Barth chairs the Department of Politics and International Relations at Hendrix College, and has taught at the school since 1994.

WHEN:  Monday, July 9, 9 a.m. WHERE:  ADE Auditorium, Department of Education, Four Capitol Mall, Little Rock Agenda available at http://edboard.arkansas.gov. Streaming live meeting video available at http://flash.aetn.org/adeplayer.html?source=rtmp://flash.aetn.org/live/adelive&type=live.

Kathy Powers, 2011 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, was selected as one of 35 recipients from across the nation for the 2012 Award for Teaching Excellence. This award, made possible through a collaboration of the NEA Foundation, Pearson Foundation, and Education First Tours, included a 10-day trip to China from June 18 – 28, 2012. [...]