Katie Fite

Director of Communications

Arkansas Public School Resource Center

501-492-4300 | kfite@apsrc.net

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

LITTLE ROCK, AR - On Thursday, October 10th, 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. Request to Approve ATLAS Cut Scores

The board approved the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is request for State Board approval of the cut scores for the Arkansas Teaching, Learning & Assessment System (ATLAS) English Language Arts, math and science assessments for grades K-10 and end of course exams in Algebra 1, Geometry and Biology.

V.2. 2025-2027 Arkansas Governor’s School Site Selection Committee Recommendation

Presidents and Chancellors of all four-year colleges and universities were invited to submit proposals to host the 2025-2027 Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS). A proposal was received from Arkansas Tech University (ATU). The site selection committee reviewed the proposal and conducted a site visit to the institution. Their recommendation for the proposed site for 2025-2027 was being presented to the State Board for approval. The board approved the proposed site. 

V.3. Consideration of Requests for Final Approval of Administrative Rules

The following administrative rules are presented for final approval following a 30-day public comment period. The board approved the following rules: 

V.3.a. DESE Rule Governing Career-Ready Pathways to Diploma

V.3.b. DESE Rule Governing Consolidations and Annexations of School Districts

V.3.c. DESE Rule Governing Documents Posted to School District and Education Service Cooperative Websites

V.3.d. DESE Rule Governing Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and Public School Districts

V.3.e. OEC Rule Governing the Arkansas Better Chance Program

V.3.f. OEC Rule Governing Better Beginnings, Arkansas's Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System

V.4. Consideration of Request to Repeal the DESE Rule Governing Educational Freedom Account Payment Processing

This request to repeal the DESE Rule Governing Educational Freedom Account Payment Processing was presented to be released for public comment. The substance of this rule was incorporated into the final DESE Rule Governing the Educational Freedom Accounts Program, which became effective on August 10, 2024. This rule is now unnecessary, and the Division is requesting that it be repealed. The board repealed the rule.

V.5. Request for Waiver - LA-25-002 - Sheryl Ross

The Arkansas Department of Education received information that the educator has a conviction for a disqualifying offense. Per Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-410, the state board shall not issue a first-time license and shall revoke any existing license not up for renewal of any person who has a conviction for a disqualifying offense. The educator is requesting a waiver. The board approved the waiver request.

V.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-135 - Candace Roberson

This item was removed from the agenda.

V.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-199 - James Wilson

At its regularly-scheduled meeting on September 12, 2024, the State Board of Education requested the PLSB recommendation for Case 24-199, James Wilson, be moved from the consent agenda to the next available action agenda. This hearing was scheduled, and James Wilson was notified of the hearing date. The board approved the PLSB recommendations for violations. The board approved the PLSB recommendations for sanctions. The board approved the PLSB recommendations for the rationale.

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 Sixty (60) Days, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-309

VII.3. Consideration of Request for Approval of Nominated Member for the Professional Licensure Standards Board to Replace Member Whose Term Expires June 30, 2027 - Dr. Alicia Shaw

VII.4. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-127 and 24-133 Christopher Ferrell

VII.5. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-288 Clinton Henslee

VII.6. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-281 Jennifer Barr

VII.7. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-272 Devanon Fitzgerald

VII.8. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-249 Aaron Carter

VII.9. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-238 Bryson Bradley

VII.10. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-233 Emily Stokes

VII.11. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-216 Kaylee Dalby (also known as Kaylee Dalby-Riddle)

VII.12. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-211 Heather Slater

VII.13. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-191 Candice Cater

VII.14. Consideration of the Recommendation of the Professional Licensure Standards Board for Case 24-150 Tremaine Brown

VII.15. Consideration of Somerset Academy Arkansas Open-Enrollment Charter School Application Request

VIII. Reports

VIII.1. Watson Chapel School District Update

Sheila Whitlow and the new superintendent of Watson Chapel School District, Dr. Keith McGee, provided an update.

VIII.2. Office of Coordinated Support and Service Update

Sheila Whitlow from the Office of Coordinated Support and Service (OCSS) provided an update on district site visits and highlight other significant activities in the districts supported by OCSS.

VIII.3. Board Liaison Reports 

No reports were provided.

VIII.4. ATOY Report 

ATOY, Beau McCastlain, provided an update.

VIII.5. Commissioner's Report

Secretary Jacob Oliva provided remarks.

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.

State Board of Education

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