AR App

It is essential for districts to align resources behind a single, clear, and coherent set of priorities to guide the work of enhancing student growth. Each year, districts plan for how to improve student learning in the coming year. This process involves reviewing student achievement and student progress data, establishing priorities, and building a budget aligned to these priorities using all available funding sources. The planning process currently includes multiple cumbersome and redundant applications, which creates inefficiencies that divide educators' focus.

AR App Logo

In an effort to support Arkansas school districts with this process, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has consolidated the planning process for 17 applications. The AR App will replace 8 grants and 9 applications (see Planning Guide, Appendix B: Inclusion of Grants in AR App), fulfilling the federal requirement for ESSA plans as well as planning required in Arkansas statute.

The AR App will require districts to manage their teams collaboratively to ensure that district leadership – and by extension all who support students – are operating from a single plan for student learning.

Available Supports

DESE has developed resources to assist your district team: Planning Guide, FAQ document, technical guidance, and video tutorials are available on this page. DESE will hold a series of virtual "office hours" and program-specific webinars for districts to receive technical assistance. We recommend that all districts start by carefully reviewing the AR App Planning Guide.

Required Uploads

  • AR App Workbook (download from Indistar)
  • Preliminary Federal Budget Worksheet (from eFinance)
  • District 1.1 Assurances and GEPA Statement
  • District 1.4 Equitable Services Consultation Form
  • District 1.5 SPED Maintenance of Effort Worksheet
  • State 1.1 ALE Consortium MOU (if needed)

Important Due Dates

  • June 28: Districts complete and upload assurances and GEPA statement.
    Must be approved by school board prior to the due date.
  • June 28: Federal preliminary budgets and Special Education MOE worksheet uploaded in Indistar.
  • June 28: AR App uploaded in Indistar.

Training Videos



For more information, please contact:

Matt Sewell, Assistant Commissioner
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Federal Programs
Phone: 501-683-4497

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