July 9, 2021 at 9:00 AM - State Board of Education

Description:  eStem Charter School has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades K-12 for all campuses. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction with virtual and blended options through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program at the June 15, 2021 meeting. The eStem charter expires in 2023. 

Description:  Graduate Arkansas has submitted an amendment for Digital Learning Program in grades 9-12. The school will offer asynchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program at the June 15, 2021 meeting with the exception of enrollment increase. The charter expires in 2026. 
 

Description:  LISA Academy has submitted an amendment for a Digital Learning Program in Grades K-12 for all campuses. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program at the June 15, 2021 meeting. The charter does not expire until June, 2030; therefore the Charter Authorizing Panel voted to approve the plan for three years. 

Description:  Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock has submitted an amendment for a Digital Learning Program in grades K-8. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the Digital Learning Program at the June 15, 2021 meeting. The charter expires in June 2023. 

Description:  Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Pine Bluff has submitted an amendment for a Digital Learning Program in grades 10-12. The school will offer asynchronous and synchronous instruction virtually through the use of an approved digital provider and licensed district staff. The application has been reviewed by the DESE team. The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the digital Learning Program at the June 15, 2021 meeting. The charter expires June 2023. 

Description:  The Excel Center has submitted an amendment request to add additional campuses.  The school is the only adult learning center in the state and serves students age 19 and over.  The charter was originally authorized in 2016 and has an enrollment cap of 350. The charter expires in June, 2022. 
The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the request unanimously on June 15, 2021. 

Description:  Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy has submitted an amendment request to change the name of the charter.  The charter was originally approved in 2012 and serves students in grades K-12 with a current enrollment cap of 1,500. The charter expires in June, 2028.. 
The Charter Authorizing Panel approved the request unanimously on June 15, 2021. 

Description:  The Augusta School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Wilbur Mills Consortium for K-8 and Virtual Arkansas for 9-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size waiver is requested; however, a teaching load waiver will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-24 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Mountain Pine School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by Edgenuity.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through Edgenuity.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-2022 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description: 

The Ozark Mountain School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the district.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the district  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-24 school year. This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Shirley School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the district as well as other supplemental digital content.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the district.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-24 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Marked Tree School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the district. Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the district.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-22 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Nettleton School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the district. Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the district.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2021-22 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Melbourne School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Tri-Region Consortium for K-6 and Virtual Arkansas for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size is being requested; however, a teaching load waiver will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Watson Chapel School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Arkansas River Consortium for K-6 and Virtual Arkansas for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-2024 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Pine Bluff School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades K-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Arkansas River Consortium for K-6 and Virtual Arkansas for 7-12.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The South Side Van Buren School District has submitted a Digital Learning Program for students in grades 4-12.  The program will offer synchronous and asynchronous learning through a virtual approach using curriculum provided by the Arkansas River Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Teachers are Arkansas State Certified and provided through the Consortium and Virtual Arkansas.  Class size and teaching load waivers will not be required for this digital learning request.  The waiver is being requested through the end of the 2023-24 school year.  This application has been reviewed by the DESE team.

Description:  The Augusta School District requests that the State Board of Education approve an Act 1240 waiver related to contracts for vocational agriculture teachers.

Description:  Under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-422 members of the PLSB serve rotating terms, and are appointed by the State Board from nominations made by professional education associations. Ms. Brenda Brown has been nominated for a second term to represent the Arkansas Education Association (AEA) and classroom teachers. She is a classroom teacher at J.F. Wahl Elementary School in the Helena-West Helena School District. Dr. Mary Jane Bradley, Dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Science at Arkansas State University by the Education Deans Council. These terms will expire on June 30, 2024. The AEA is also nominating Ms. Wendy J. Peer to represent their members and complete the term of Cindy Nations. She is a high school teacher at Northside High School in the Fort Smith School District. This term will begin immediately and expire on June 30, 2022.
 

Description: 

1. Online Teaching K-12 Assessment
   Online Teaching (K-12) is an endorsement area added to a standard license by completing graduate-level coursework.  The endorsement previously had no licensure test.  Team Digital has developed a performance assessment aligned to the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) standards and the DESE Online Teacher Competencies. The evidence-based assessment consists of four major components: planning, designing, communicating, and syllabus. Each component receives a PASS/FAIL designation. All four components must receive a PASS to
   achieve a passing score on the assessment. The department recommends adopting the PASS/FAIL designation effective immediately.
2. Japanese (K-12) Endorsement Assessment
   Japanese (K-12) is an endorsement area added to a standard license by testing out. For the licensure assessment to add the Japanese (K-12) endorsement to a Standard Arkansas Educator License, the Department recommends adopting
   the Praxis® Japanese: World Language (5661) with a cut score of 151, effective immediately.
3. Journalism (7-12) Endorsement Assessment
   Journalism (7-12) is an endorsement area added to a standard license by testing out. For the licensure assessment to add the Journalism (7-12) endorsement to a Standard Arkansas Educator License, the Department recommends adopting
   the Praxis® Journalism (5224) with a cut score of 147, effective immediately.
4. Middle School Mathematics (4-8) Assessment
   Middle School Mathematics (4-8) is a first-time licensure area and is also an add-on licensure area. The current Middle School Mathematics (4-8) licensure test is the Praxis® Middle School Mathematics (5169). Educational Testing Service (ETS) has updated the 5169. The new assessment is the Praxis® Middle School Mathematics (5164). For the Middle School Mathematics (4-8) licensure assessment, the Department
   recommends adopting the Praxis® Middle School Mathematics (5164) with a cut score of 150, effective September 1, 2022. 
5. Mathematics (7-12) Assessment
   Mathematics (7-12) is a first-time licensure area and is also an add-on licensure area. The current Mathematics (7-12) licensure test is the Praxis® Mathematics (5161). Educational Testing Service (ETS) has updated the 5161. The new assessment is the Praxis® Mathematics (5165). For the Mathematics (7-12) licensure assessment, the Department recommends adopting the Praxis® Mathematics (5165) with a cut score of 152, effective September 1, 2022. 
6. Instrumental Music (K-12) Assessment
   Instrumental Music (K-12) is a first-time licensure area as well as an add-on licensure area. The current Music (K-12) licensure test is the Praxis® Music: Content Knowledge
   (5165) and is for both Instrumental and Vocal Music licenses. The new Praxis® Music:Instrumental and General Knowledge (5115) would be for instrumental music teachers only. For the Instrumental Music (K-12) licensure assessment, the Department recommends adopting the Praxis® Music: Instrumental and General Knowledge (5115) with a cut score of 145, effective September 1, 2021.
7. Vocal Music (K-12) Assessment
   Vocal Music (K-12) is a first-time licensure area as well as an add-on licensure area. The current Music (K-12) licensure test is the Praxis® Music: Content Knowledge (5165) and is for both Instrumental and Vocal Music licenses. The new Praxis® Music: Vocal and General Knowledge (5116) would be for vocal music teachers only. For the Vocal Music (K-12) licensure assessment, the Department recommends adopting the Praxis® Music: Vocal and General Knowledge (5116) with a cut score of 147, effective September 1, 2021.
8. Foundations of Reading (K-12) Assessment
   Act 416 of 2017 requires a person who applies for an Elementary Education (K-6) or a Special Education (K-12) license to successfully pass a stand-alone teaching reading test. The current licensure assessment of scientific reading instruction is the Pearson Foundations of Reading (SA090). The SA090 was updated to maintain alignment with national standards in reading instruction. The new test is the Pearson Foundations of Reading (SA190). To satisfy licensure test requirements of Act 416, the Department recommends using the Pearson Foundations of Reading (SA190) with a cut score of 233 effective August 28, 2021.

Description:  Act 421 of 2013 allows curriculum frameworks from two (2) separate courses to be taught in a single course, known as a combined or embedded course.  Nine school districts made application for approval of combined or embedded courses and assured, in writing, that the curriculum frameworks for both courses will be fully taught in the combined or embedded course.  The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education respectfully requests the State Board of Education (SBE) approve the embedded courses linked below, understanding that when the curriculum frameworks for one of the courses are revised, a new course approval request must be submitted to the SBE and approval must be granted before a school would be allowed to offer the embedded course.