Arkansas educators play an important role in helping students connect with key instructional requirements and observances outlined in state and federal law. These initiatives give students opportunities to explore foundational principles, learn from historical contributions, and understand significant events that have shaped the United States (U.S.) and the world.
Constitution Day
The U.S. Department of Education announced that, pursuant to legislation passed by Congress, local educational agencies and institutions of higher education are required to hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in 1787. Arkansas Constitution Day Resources are available here for the 2026-2027 school year and are organized as K-12 general resources.
Celebrate Freedom Week
Arkansas public schools must observe Celebrate Freedom Week during the last full week of September (September 21-25, 2026). This law was created to educate students about the sacrifices made for freedom and the values upon which the United States was founded. During this week, all social studies classes shall include instruction that helps students focus on the freedoms enjoyed in the United States. Suggested topics of study are listed in A.C.A. § 6-16-101, but curriculum decisions are left to local school districts. Celebrate Freedom Week resources are available here for the 2026-2027 school year and are organized as K–12 general resources.
Founding Fathers
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, districts are expected to ensure compliance with A.C.A. § 6-16-165. Districts should ensure that instruction addresses the Founding Fathers and the influence of their religious and moral beliefs on the nation's founding documents, including the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence and its assertion of unalienable rights; the Founders' core political beliefs, such as ordered liberty, equality, natural rights, freedom of speech and press, and the free exercise of religion; the influence of their views on human nature, government, separation of powers, federalism, and the Bill of Rights; the historical texts and traditions that informed their thinking; the role of the Declaration's recognition of inalienable rights in shaping the abolition of slavery; and the connection between the beliefs of the Founding Fathers and the freedoms Americans enjoy today. As this is an embedding requirement, districts should review and align existing grades 6-12 social studies curricula to ensure these concepts are intentionally incorporated into appropriate courses and instructional materials.
Holocaust Instruction
Holocaust education shall be taught in all public schools in a grade-appropriate manner for all 5th–12th grade students. The law ensures students learn the causes, events, and effects of the Holocaust, promoting respect for human dignity.
The final week of January as Holocaust Education Week in Arkansas public schools. For the 2026-2027 school year, schools shall observe Holocaust Education Week from January 25–29, 2027. Holocaust resources for the 2026-2027 school year are available here and are organized into grade-level bands.
Historical Contributions of African Americans
African-American
Historical Contributions resources are available to support instruction on the
historical contributions made by African Americans in the United States and in
other countries before the establishment of the United States. The resources are
organized by grade-level bands and can be accessed here.
Arkansas Celebrates America250 Journey Across Arkansas Dashboard Resources
The Arkansas Celebrates America250 (ACA250) Expeditions resources on the Arkansas Celebrates America250 website remain open and available for educators, students, and families across the state. These Arkansas academic standards-aligned resources support learning in the Humanities, STEM, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) through a variety of grade-banded opportunities. Available options include the Arkansas Traveler Map and Compass, which provide open-access instructional lessons and enrichment projects for grades K–16 and K–12, as well as opt-in programs such as the Navigator, Express Pass, and Passport, which offer unique opportunities for school participation, community service, and family engagement. Whether used in the classroom, at home, or in the community, these resources continue to provide meaningful ways to explore Arkansas’s history, culture, and future. Educators, students, and families can access these resources at america250.ade.arkansas.gov.
Additional ACA250 Expeditions resources will be released throughout the school year to support Social Studies instructional requirements, providing educators with engaging, standards-aligned materials and learning opportunities that connect Arkansas history, civics, and culture to classroom instruction. All these resources can be found on the Dashboard.
Important Links
Constitution Day and Celebrate Freedom Week
Holocaust Resources
African American Historical Contributions Resources