Curriculum
updates are provided to inform educators and stakeholders of opportunities,
updates and resources related to teaching and learning.
Math: Mathematics Standards
Resource Documents are now available.
Contact: Kisa Morman at Kisa.Morman@ade.arkansas.gov.
Literacy: Elementary & Secondary Literacy Standards Resource
Documents are now
available.
Contact: Elementary K-5 contact: Sandy Shepard at Sandy.Shepard@ade.arkansas.gov.
Contact: Secondary Literacy contact: Amber Pirnique at Amber.Pirnique@ade.arkansas.gov.
The Writing Revolution:
The newest cohort for The Writing Revolution: Grades 3-12
Advancing Thinking Through Writing will begin in February. More information can
be found here. Any
district wishing to participate should complete the MOU - http://bit.ly/3HmnwCM. All content area teachers, including CTE, are encouraged
to participate. For more information, please contact: Amber Pirnique at Amber.Pirnique@ade.arkansas.gov. The dates and times are provided below.
- Session #1 - 2/6, 9am-11am
- Session #2 - 2/13, 9am-11pm
- Session #3 - 2/20, 9am-11am
- Session #4 - 2/27, 9am-11am
- Session #5 - 3/5, 9am-11am
- Session #6 - 3/12, 9am-11am
Memo Reference - LS-23-070
Contact: Amber Pirnique at Amber.Pirnique@ade.arkansas.gov.
Disciplinary Literacy: Social Studies
ACT 561 provides direction to the Division of Elementary and
Secondary Education for updating the materials and resources for the teaching of
historical contributions made by African Americans in the United States and in
other countries prior to the establishment of the United States. The list of updated materials and
resources for 2024 can be found linked on the Social Studies Resources page of
the DESE website HERE. Updates include lessons and materials that can be used to
commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month. Resources are
organized into grade-level bands. Resources for Historical Contributions Made By African
Americans (Act 561)
Contact: Ronda Smith at ronda.smith@ade.arkansas.gov
Science:
Fundamental
Content Documents are available to highlight essential content at each grade
level. For more information, review this
Webinar
and documents HERE
. These newly created supplemental documents accompany the Arkansas K-12
Science standards, and clearly indicate the content that students should know
by the end of each grade level or course K-12.
The
recorded webinar with information on the ATLAS science interims, is also
available HERE.
Contact: Katie
Chacon at Katie.Chacon@ade.arkansas.gov.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW):
The Arkansas Division of Elementary
and Secondary Education (DESE) has been awarded a $2.98 million grant from the
Walton Family Foundation to increase student interest and engagement in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This grant provides
middle school students access to high-quality STEM curriculum that supports
hands-on, real-world learning, from Project Lead the Way (PLTW).
The purpose of the grant is to award
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) competitive subgrants to implement PLTW
curriculum in the 7th and 8th grades for the following courses: Design and
Modeling (399120), Medical Detectives (399180), Automation & Robotics
(399110), and Flight and Space (399250).
Priority
consideration for grant funds will be given to LEAs based on the following
criteria:
Interested
LEAs are highly encouraged to attend a school tour at a campus that is already
implementing the PLTW curriculum prior to submitting an application. Approved
applications will require a school tour before being awarded a PLTW Grant. A
virtual tour date will posted on the DESE website for all future grant
requests.
Contact:
Jason Bailey at Jason.Bailey@ade.arkansas.gov.
Memo
Reference: LS-23-027
Fine Arts:
The
Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts is accepting submissions for The 63rd Young
Arkansas Artists Exhibition. Apply HERE by
February 4, 2024. The Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition highlights the
remarkable talent, creativity, and perspective of Arkansas students. Students from
kindergarten through high school are represented in a wide range of media and techniques.
Contact: Sarah
Burns at sarah.burns@ade.arkansas.gov
Schools of Innovation
The Office of Innovation for Education is now accepting nominations for the Trailblazer Award. Consider nominating someone for being an innovative thinker who is blazing a trail to transform teaching and learning in Arkansas. Nominations are accepted now through March 1st and will be announced at the Education Innovation Rally held June 3rd-5th in Jonesboro, Arkansas. This year, winners will receive a CASH prize sponsored by Delta Medical. Submit nominations HERE.
Contact: The office of Innovation for Education at oie@uark.edu
Student Support Services:
Play It
Again Arkansas is accepting nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Award for
Musical Excellence. Submit your nomination HERE by Friday,
February 2, 2024. See the nomination form for additional details.
Note: One
hundred (100) Governor’s Awards for Musical Excellence recognitions will be presented
this year.
Contact:
Lupe Pena at lupe.pena@ade.arkansas.gov or Sarah Burns at sarah.burns@ade.arkansas.gov.