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Please read the final plan and submission letter: Arkansas State Plan (Final).

Our plan has been recognized as one of only seven in the nation to receive a strong rating in three major categories for its new accountability system. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2moTdoc.

Informational Documents

NEW! Guide to ESSA Plan and a flyer about the differences between No Child Left Behind and ESSA are now available. Please read and share informational documents related to the Every Students Succeeds Act.

Topics include Vision for Excellence in Education, Arkansas Academic Standards, School Quality and Student Success, State Assessment System, and What is ESSA?

Archive of the Arkansas State Plan Process

Arkansas’ federal education accountability plan reflects more than a year and a half of ongoing collaboration, input and feedback provided by educators, parents and students around the state. The plan was submitted to the USDE on September 15, 2017. To learn more about the process, please visit the Stay Informed Archive page.

ADE Facebook Live Series: Understanding ESSA

This series was recorded in May 2017 to provide information about educator effectiveness, assessment, accountability, school support and English Language Learners under ESSA.

Video Links: Educator Effectiveness | Assessment | Accountability | School Support

English Language Learners

What is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)?

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and reauthorized the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s education law that provides opportunity for all students.  Read the Every Student Succeeds Act at http://bit.ly/1TFr29X 

As part of the Vision for Excellence in Education, Arkansas is defining the  Arkansas Accountability System. Arkansas is committed to transparent communication with all stakeholders.  ESSA SummaryPlease see the log of meetings and presentations at http://bit.ly/2aKz0ma

Arkansas Accountability System (ESSA) Timeline

Stage 1

Please visit http://bit.ly/2bPQ1fP to learn about all Stage 1 activities.

Stage 2

  •  The Steering Committee will continue meeting on a monthly basis.http://www.arkansased.gov/public/userfiles/ESEA/ESSA_Steering_Committee_Calendar.pdf
  •  Arkansas Department of Education begins writing the state accountability and support plan, continues to gather stakeholder feedback, and modify the plan based on the stakeholder feedback.
  •  The Advocates for Students group will provide targeted feedback on the state accountability and support plan through the lens of the students they represent. The advocate groups are: English Language Learner, Special Education Economically Disadvantaged, Race/Ethnicity, Foster Children, Military Dependents, Homeless and Equity for all Students

What is my role as a stakeholder?

  1. Stay Informed. Stakeholders may sign up to receive the most current information about the ESSA process. We invite you to to visit this webpage often for new information. Sign up to receive email alerts to updated information and feedback opportunities regarding ESSA at http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/communications/stay-informed.
  2. Get involved. Sign up to be an Ambassador and share the latest ESSA news with your colleagues, community members, friends and family. If you are interested in learning more about being an ambassasor, please complete the requested information and Ms. Tina Smith will be in contact with you. Thanks.  View the list of Ambassador Hosted Community Listening Forums.
  3. Advocate for Students – Committees will be asked to review the Arkansas Accountability System with the lens of student’s subgroups-English Language Learner/Title III, SPED, Economically Disadvantaged, Race/Ethnicity, Foster Children, Military Dependents, Homeless, Equity for All Students. To access the application to be a student advocate, please go to http://bit.ly/2b9yUlC.
  4. Tune in to Steering Committee Meetings. The Vision for Excellence in Education and Arkansas Accountability System Steering Committee will meet on the last Wednesday of each month (beginning August 31, 2016) at 9:30 am in the Arkansas Department of Education auditorium. The meetings will be open to the public, live streamed, and recorded.

5. Submit Public Comment. Submit comments, questions, concerns and celebrations regarding ESSA.

Additional Resources

  1. Participación de la Familia en el Cada estudiante tenga éxito Ley (ESSA)
  2. ¿Qué implica para mi hijo la nueva Ley Todos los Alumnos Triunfan
  3. For more information, please contact:
  4. Tina Smith, Special Projects Director
  5. Arkansas Department of Education
  6. Four Capitol Mall, Room 305-A
  7. Little Rock, AR 72201
  8. Phone:  501-682-3667
  9. Email: tina.smith@arkansas.gov

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