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LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Friday, December 15th, 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 the Request from the Cossatot River School District
- The board denied the Cossatot River School District petition to close an isolated school in the district.
V.2. One-year Standards for Accreditation Waiver Requests
- The board granted the following waiver requests:
- Augusta Public School District One-Year Standards for Accreditation Request
- Cossatot River Public School District One-Year Standards for Accreditation Request
- Earle Public School District One-Year Standards for Accreditation Waiver Request for Library Media Specialist
V.3. Consideration of School District Waivers
- The board granted the Marvell-Elaine School District waiver request for one (1) year to implement an innovative learning program.
V.4. Consideration of Request to Release for Public Comment: DESE Rules Governing Literacy and High-Impact Tutoring
- The board approved the rules to be released for public comment.
V.5. Consideration of Request to Approve Emergency Rules Governing Literacy and High-Impact Tutoring
- The board approved the emergency rules.
V.6. Consideration of Request to Release for Public Comment: DESE Rules Governing Professional Development
- The board approved the rules to be released for public comment.
VI. Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda. Items included:
VII.2. Annual Statistical Report
VII.3. 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.4. Review of Loan and Bond Applications
VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-038 Emily Abram
VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-012 Madison Pittman
VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-015 Bobby Hogan
VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-003 Chandler Weber
VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-061 Jerrad Jones
VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-005 Ryan LaFleur
VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 23-090 Meredith Hill
VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-046 Brennen Kotoucek
VII.14. Consideration of the Charter Authorizing Panel Decision on Responsive Ed Arkansas Districts: Premier High School of Arkansas Amendment Requests
VII.15. Consideration of Charter Authorizing Panel Decision for District Conversion Public Charter School Application-The Academies at Newport High School
The following items were pulled for discussion and approved by the board:
VII.13. Consideration of the Charter Authorizing Panel's Decision on Institute for the Creative Arts New Open Enrollment Public School Charter Application
VII.16. State Board of Education 2024 Meeting Calendar
VIII. Reports
VIII.1. Helena-West Helena School District Update
- Dr. Keith McGee, Superintendent of the Helena-West Helena School District, provided updates on progress made in the district.
VIII.2. Watson Chapel School District Update
- Tom Wilson, Superintendent of the Watson Chapel School District, provided updates on progress made towards correcting Standards for Accreditation violations and other concerns noted by DESE.
VIII.5. Commissioner's Report
- Secretary Jacob Oliva led a discussion with the board.
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.
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