Key Levers for Instructional Leaders
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has
developed data tools comprised of five impact areas of Structures of
Learning, Aligned Content, Direct Instruction, Student Practice and Assessment
and Differentiation. Under each impact area, “Look Fors” are listed to
indicate what should be observed in classrooms.
Data is vital to measure the progress towards our shared vision: every child in Arkansas being able to achieve proficiency in Reading, Math and Science. The Data Collection process:
- Highlights key insights into the progress teachers make with students
- Helps school
and instructional leaders to identify opportunities to coach educators
School leaders interested in additional information about observation
tools, should contact the following leaders:
Katie Chacon Science Program Manager katie.chacon@ade.arkansas.gov
Kisa Morman Math
Program Manager kisa.morman@ade.arkansas.gov
Sandy Shepard RISE Regional Specialist sandy.shepard@ade.arkansas.gov
Key Levers for Instruction Observation Tools:
K-12 Science - Science Walkthrough Tool
K-2 Math - Math Walkthrough Tool
K-3 Reading - Reading Walkthrough Tool
English Language Arts
To connect the Science of Reading to writing, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is excited to partner for a fourth year with a team from The Writing Revolution (TWR) to offer three synchronous courses:
These courses are open for all content teachers in grades K-12 at no charge to the participating district. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is an agreement between the DESE and your school district to implement TWR strategies.
Fall Cohort Schedule:
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Sept 12, 19, Oct 17, 24, Nov 14, 21
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Oct 7, 21, Nov 4, 18, Dec 2, 16
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Nov 12, 19, Dec 10, 17, Jan 7, 21
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Jan 8, 22, Feb 5, 12, Mar 5, 12
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Feb 18, 25, Mar 11, 18, Apr 15, 22
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NEW: This year, directly enroll your participants through the MOU Google Form (https://bit.ly/SY2025TWRMOU).
If your district has:
Please provide the following information for each participating educator:
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- First and last name
- Email address which will be used for enrollment and all communications
- Position
- Supporting grade level(s)
- Supporting content area(s)
- Cohort choice
Contact: Amber Pirnique, Disciplinary Literacy Program Administrator at Amber.Pirnique@ade.Arkansas.gov.
Constitution Day
The United States Department of Education has announced that, pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, educational institutions receiving federal funds for a fiscal year are required to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787. For purposes of the U.S. Department of Education’s implementation of this requirement, “educational institutions” includes, but is not limited to, “local educational agencies” and “institutions of higher education” receiving federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
Celebrate Freedom Week
Pursuant to Act 682 of 2003 and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-101, Arkansas public schools must observe Celebrate Freedom Week during the last full week of classes in September (September 26 – September 30). This law was created to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom and the values on which this country was founded. During Celebrate Freedom Week, all social studies classes shall include instruction to help students focus on the freedoms offered in the United States of America. Suggested topics of study are included in the text of Act 682, but the curriculum is determined by individual school districts.
Arkansas law and resources, which may assist educators in preparing for Constitution Day and Celebrate Freedom Week, are contained in the attachments and are also available on the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Attachments include valuable resources and links to support schools and educators implementing these requirements.
Resources Document A.C.A. § 6-16-101
Contact: Ronda Smith, Social Studies Program Advisor at Ronda.Smith@ade.Arkansas.gov
Science
The Arkansas Accelerated Science Course Pathway provides an option for students to meet the Arkansas K-12 Science Standards at a more rapid pace. This optional pathway was realigned in grades 6, 7, and 8 to ensure accelerated students have been exposed to all grade-level standards before taking the ATLAS Science Summative, and ensures students are ready to take physical science for high school credit in the 8th grade. A course approval request is still required to teach physical science in the 8th grade. The new accelerated science pathway guidance document as well as an informational webinar can be found on the DESE website, linked here. The direct links have been provided for your convenience.
Grade_6_Accelerated_Science_LS.pdf (arkansas.gov)
7th_Grade_Accelerated_Science_PDF_LS.pdf (arkansas.gov)
8th_Grade_Physical_Science_Accelerated_PDF_LS.pdf (arkansas.gov)
20201211165600_Accelerated_Science_Course_Pathway_for_Biology_Integrated.docx (live.com)
20201211165528_Accelerated_Science_Course_Pathway_for_Chemistry_Integrated.docx (live.com)
ESOL
The revised LIEP (Language Instruction Education Program) codes are now available on the website to facilitate the upcoming annual LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) meetings. The modifications to LIEP codes will come into effect for the 2024-2025 school year.
See the updated LPAC EXIT/MONITORING FORMS. These forms are to be used by LPACs holding annual conferences in preparation for 2024-2025.
Additionally, see the SUPPORTING EVIDENCE RUBRIC-EXIT CRITERIA GUIDANCE to review the data required to exit English Learners.
Contact: Maria Touchstone, ESOL Program Director/Title III Co-Coordinator at Maria.Touchstone@ade.arkansas.gov.
Bilingual and Dual-Immersion Schools
Arkansas law concerning the basic language of instruction in public schools allows a public school district or an open enrollment public charter school, upon approval by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, to offer a Bilingual or Dual-Immersion programming option.
Districts interested in offering Bilingual or Dual-Immersion (BDI) as a programming option for their school community are required to submit a BDI Application to ade.bdi@ade.arkansas.gov.
Contact: Sarah Burns, Fine Arts and World Languages Program Advisor at sarah.burns@ade.arkansas.gov or Maria Touchstone, ESOL Program Director/Title III Co-Coordinator at Maria.Touchstone@ade.arkansas.gov.