The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has consolidated 17 different state and federal applications into a single district strategic plan – the AR App. The AR App focuses on three statewide priorities: Improving Academic Outcomes, Safe and Healthy Schools, and Quality Educational Workforce. The AR App includes the following grant applications and plans:

• Grants: Title I Part A, Title I Part C, Title I Part D, Title II, Title III, Title IV, Title V, and IDEA Part B applications

• Plans: Enhanced Student Achievement, Health and Wellness Plan, Gifted and Talented Application, English Learner State Plan, Retention and Recruitment Plan, Alternate Learning Plan, Family and Community Engagement Plan, Literacy Support Plan, and District Support Plan

This year the AR App will be completed in the new AR App Portal. Each district will complete the AR App and receive any feedback through the portal. Once completed, Superintendents or their designees will submit their responses through the portal and upload any additional required forms by June 30, 2026, to secure preliminary approval for federal funding. On Thursday, March 5th, at 9 A.M., there will be a statewide virtual meeting to introduce the new AR App portal and provide direction on accessing the AR App and navigating the features of the new platform. Please use the link below to join the upcoming meeting: 

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23421110749568?p=YpMqobhFwTtdmn7uZW

Meeting ID: 234 211 107 495 68

Passcode: UH9Kh3Lf

DESE has developed resources to assist your district team: Resources can be found on the AR App webpage under the Office of Federal Programs. Education Service Cooperatives will hold a series of training sessions for districts to receive technical assistance and support through the completion process of the AR App.

Please send questions to ARapp@ade.arkansas.gov or to your local education services cooperative for support.