Upon hiring new building and district-level administrators, school districts must register individuals who are:

• First-year building-level principals in Arkansas
  • Does NOT include assistant principals
  • DOES include experienced principals from out of state
• Newly appointed Arkansas superintendents with no prior superintendent experience
  • Does NOT include assistant superintendents
  • DOES include experienced superintendents from out of state

DESE, in partnership with Educational Service Cooperatives, will launch the required New Superintendent Training & Mentoring Program in July. This comprehensive, year-long induction experience includes professional development, collaboration, mentoring, and on-site support. The program is a comprehensive, year-long induction experience for new superintendents. It combines structured professional development, small-group collaboration, personalized mentoring, and on-site technical support to ensure that first-year superintendents are successful in leading their districts. The program addresses leadership, finance, instruction, safety, board relations, compliance, and strategic planning.

DESE, in partnership with Educational Service Cooperatives, will launch the required New Principal Training & Mentoring Program in July. The program is a comprehensive, two-year-long induction experience for new building-level principals. It combines structured professional development, small-group collaboration, personalized mentoring, and on-site technical support to ensure that new building-level principals are successful in leading their buildings. In year one, the program addresses Advanced Instructional Leadership, Instructional Leadership, and High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM).

In addition to the preconference, DESE is pleased to offer complimentary registration to first-year building-level principals in Arkansas and newly appointed Arkansas superintendents with no prior superintendent experience to attend the 2026 ADE Summit, held July 14-16 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, as part of Year 1 Mentoring.

The Summit will include:

• Dedicated session for first-year building level principals and newly appointed Arkansas superintendents with no prior superintendent experience.
• Multiple professional development sessions tailored to beginning administrators