Highlighting Success Stories
The LEARNS Act serves as the most comprehensive education reform legislation in Arkansas' history. From hiring literacy coaches and increasing the minimum teacher salary to creating a career diploma and promoting school safety, the LEARNS Act is a multi-faceted approach to improving education in Arkansas. Implementation is fully underway, with new components rolling out soon.
Arkansas is filled with great examples of students, teachers, and schools moving the education needle toward excellence. The department's goal is to capture some of these successes as LEARNS is implemented. Stay tuned, and visit this page often, as we continue to build a library of features that tell the stories of great things happening in education around the Natural State.
To learn more about the LEARNS Act, visit https://learns.ade.arkansas.gov.
Coaching the Coaches: Improving Literacy Instruction Across Arkansas
The LEARNS Act created the literacy coach program to assist teachers with improving reading achievement in Grades K-3 at D- and F-rated schools. This school year, more than 120 coaches were in Arkansas schools daily, working directly with teachers and principals as they finetuned instruction and supported students.
Communities and Early Childhood Organizations Working Together
Children who are enrolled in robust early childhood education programs receive a jumpstart on learning and skill development that set them up for success, which is a main reason why early learning was a key component of the LEARNS Act. One of the requirements within the act is to improve the experience of families and providers by establishing local early childhood lead organizations. This video highlights that program.
ADE Selects 13 Organizations for Second Local Leads Cohort to Improve Early Childhood Education
The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce today the 13 organizations selected for the second early childhood education local leads cohort. These organizations, combined with the first cohort of 12 organizations announced in November 2023, represent 65 counties around the state and will establish a comprehensive, localized plan to ensure children and families have access to high-quality early childhood education in their communities.
Spotlight on Statewide Literacy Coaches: Wendy Green
The department is pleased to highlight some of the amazing literacy coaches who are focused on improving literacy around the state! Meet Amber Harwell, one of the new Statewide Literacy Coaches, who is serving the Crowley's Ridge Educational Service Cooperative and the Blytheville School District.
Meeting the Needs of Local Communities in Early Childhood Education
Assistant Commissioner of Early Childhood Tonya Williams is excited to share information about how the LEARNS Act is supporting early childhood education across the state.
Community Service Learning in Mountain Home
Nestled amidst the Ozarks in northern Arkansas, Mountain Home is an irresistible, must-visit spot for any outdoor enthusiast. Because the city of almost 13,000 maintains a small-town feel that fosters a strong sense of community spirit, it is easy to understand how the Mountain Home School District has leveraged neighborliness and goodwill to support students in fulfilling the new community service requirement for graduation under the LEARNS Act.
Creating Opportunity with the Aspiring Teacher Permit
Meet Taylor Drew, a first-year teacher at Fox Meadow Elementary. Each day, she challenges and encourages 20 active first graders. Arkansas LEARNS seeks to attract and retain teachers. And due to the Aspiring Teacher Permit, Taylor now has a rewarding career, and she's shaping the future.
Spotlight on Statewide Literacy Coaches: Amber Harwell
The department is pleased to highlight some of the amazing literacy coaches who are focused on improving literacy around the state! Meet Amber Harwell, one of the new Statewide Literacy Coaches, who is serving in Murrell Taylor Elementary and Bobby G. Lester Elementary Jacksonville School District.
LEARNS Brings New Students to Cornerstone Christian Academy
Because of Arkansas LEARNS, parental empowerment is thriving across the state. At Cornerstone Christian Academy in Tillar, the growth and change are overwhelmingly positive for teachers, students, and their families.
Spotlight on Statewide Literacy Coaches: Summer Hampton
The department is pleased to highlight some of the amazing literacy coaches who are focused on improving literacy around the state! Meet Summer Hampton, one of the new Statewide Literacy Coaches, who is serving in Trumann Elementary School and Jonesboro Public Schools.
ADE Selects First Cohort of Local Leads to Improve Early Childhood Education
The Arkansas Department of Education announced today the initial cohort of 12 organizations, representing 29 counties, that will establish a comprehensive, localized plan to ensure children and families have access to high-quality early childhood education in their communities.
Spotlight on Statewide Literacy Coaches: Terri Roberts
The department is pleased to highlight some of the amazing literacy coaches who are focused on improving literacy around the state! Meet Terri Roberts, one of the new Statewide Literacy Coaches, who is serving in schools across Pulaski County Special School District.
Maternity Leave Benefit Available Through LEARNS
Public school districts and open enrollment charter schools may elect to participate in a cost-sharing agreement with the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, to provide up to 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for eligible education personnel.
Community Service Learning Opportunity for Newport and Tuckerman
Students from Tuckerman and Newport High Schools recently earned a few of the 75 community service hours required for graduation by Arkansas Act 237, also known as Arkansas LEARNS. With hairnets, plastic gloves, and the spirit of cooperation, they demonstrated that teenagers can make a difference.
Changes in Early Childhood Background Checks Save Time and Money
As a result of the LEARNS Act, creating the Office of Early Childhood under ADE, educators working in a school district or Education Service Cooperative licensed by the Office of Early Childhood will no longer be required to obtain two sets of background checks!
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