Katie White

Director of Communications

Arkansas Public School Resource Center

501-492-4300 | kwhite@apsrc.net

 

Arkansas State Board of Education's September Meeting: Important Updates and Decisions

 

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Friday, October 13th, 2023, the Arkansas State Board of Education convened to address crucial items on the published agenda. The meeting, accessible through this link, featured various agenda items, with input from representatives and public commentators.


As the policy-making body for Arkansas's education system, the State Board of Education diligently considered and acted upon several essential agenda items during the meeting:


V. Action Agenda

V.1. Consideration of Requests for act 1240 Waivers

  • The board voted to grant the waivers for:
  • Jackson County School District 
  • Nettleton School District 
  • North Little Rock School District 
  • Sloan-Hendrix School District
  • Westside Consolidated School District

V.2. Consideration of Recommendation for Accredited-Probation status for the Watson Chapel School District

  • The board accepted the Office of Public School Accountability Standards and Systems Support Unit recommendation for accredited-probation status for the Watson Chapel School District.

V.3. Consideration of request for Approval of the Alt ELPA Cut Scores

  • The board approved the Assessment Office request for approval so that these cut scores may be applied to the Operational Year 1 Alt ELPA.

V.4. Consideration of Request for Approval of Emergency Rules Governing Educational Freedom Accounts Payment Processing

  • The board approved The Department of Education's request for approval of the DESE Rules Governing Educational Freedom Accounts Payment Processing. These rules are being promulgated under the emergency rule provisions of the Arkansas Administrative Procedures Act. 

V.5. Consideration of Request for Final Approval of Rules Governing School Safety 

  • The board approved the Department of Education's request for final approval of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education Rules Governing School Safety. A public comment hearing was conducted on September 28, 2023. The rules were revised but no substantive changes were made. 


VI. Consent Agenda 

  • The board approved the consent agenda. Items included:  

VI.3. Review of Loan and Bond Applications

VI.4. Consent for the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) Reallocation of FY24 Slots

VI.5. Consent to Increase Funding for the FY24 ABC Professional Service Grant

VI.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-101 Justin Cobb

VI.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-126 Ashley Ponder

VI.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-159 Darryl Wade Brown

VI.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-052 Leah Queen

VI.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-114 Taylor House

VI.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-023 James Summers

VI.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 22-093 Dustin Corley

VI.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 21-055 Michael Dean

VI.14. Consideration of the Decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel for Responsive Ed Arkansas Premier High School North Little Rock and Premier High School Springdale Public Charter School 

VI.15. Consideration of the Decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel for Pinecrest Preparatory Academy Fayetteville New Open Enrollment Charter School Application Request 

VI.16. Consideration of the Decision of the Charter Authorizing Panel for CIVICA Career and Collegiate Academy Bentonville New Open Enrollment Charter School Application Request


VIII. Reports  

VIII.2. ATOY Report

  • Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Capri Salaam, provided an update.

VIII.3. Commissioner's Report  

  • Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith provided an update on ALE Requirements and state highlights.  


As part of its regular schedule, the State Board convenes on the second Thursday and Friday of each month to address issues impacting the educational landscape. Each meeting aims to consider, vote on, or generate orders related to agenda items.


For more information and to access the agenda and documents for this meeting, please click here.

 

State Board of Education, October 13, 2023

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