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LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, March 14th, 2024, 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. Legal Transfer Appeal -- Lowe Family
Item V.1. was pulled from the agenda.
V.2. District Waiver Requests for Alternate School Calendar
The board approved the requests from 12 school districts to waive Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-106(g) to allow a mid-year change from a traditional school calendar of 178 days to an alternative calendar of 1,068 hours. 5 of the listed schools have approval from their local boards, and 7 are pending local board approval. To view the list of schools, click here.
V.3. District Waiver Requests for 2024-2025 School Start Date
The board approved the requests from 35 school districts to waive Ark. Code Ann. § 6-10-106 (a)(1)(A) which requires school districts to begin school on or after the Monday of the week in which August 19 falls and no earlier than August 14 or later than August 26. 33 of the listed schools have approval from their local boards, and 2 are pending local board approval. To view the list of schools, click here.
V.4. DESE Rules for Release for Public Comment
The board approved releasing the following DESE Rules for public comment:
V.4.a. DESE Rules Governing the Right to Read Act
V.4.b. DESE Rules Governing Educator Performance
V.4.c. DESE Rules Governing Community Service and Diploma Requirements
V.4.d. DESE Rules Governing Public School Choice
V.4.e. DESE Rules Governing Petitions for Student Transfers
Item V.4.f. was pulled from the agenda.
V.4.g. DESE Rules Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories
V.4.h. DESE Rules Governing the Arkansas Student Protection Act
VII. Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda. Items included:
VII.1. Minutes
VII.2. Report on Waivers to School Districts for Teachers Teaching Out of Area for Longer than Thirty (30) Days, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309
VII.3. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-085 Amanda Snider
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-088 Michele Blakely
VII.6. Bentonville School for Advanced Studies Charter Amendment Requests
VII.7. Pulaski County Special School District Charter Rescission Letter for Driven Virtual Academy
VII.8. Batesville High Charter School Amendment Request
VII.9. LEARNS Office of Early Childhood (OEC) Update March 2024
VIII. Reports
VIII.1. Watson Chapel School District Update
Sheila Whitlow provided an update.
VIII.2. Board Liaison Reports
SBE member Leigh Keener provided an update on a CCDF committee meeting she attended. SBE member Jeff Wood provided an update on an Academic Accountability committee meeting he attended. SBE member Adrienne Woods provided an update on dyslexia services efforts and a focus on early intervention.
VIII.3. ATOY Report
ATOY, Capri Salaam, provided an update.
VIII.4. Commissioner's Report
Commissioner Oliva reflected on achievement from the last year and ongoing efforts.
As part of its regular schedule, the State Board generally 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.
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