Learning Services

The Division of Learning Services (DLS) is a team of professionals, within the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), who support quality performance for all students and share a common vision for education in Arkansas. The Division's mission is to support Arkansas schools by providing training and education to teachers and administrators, monitoring the progress of the learning environment and giving feedback on this progress.

Vision for Teaching and Learning

DESE is committed to students exhibiting evidence of learning through three lenses of application: actively literate, critical thinkers, and engaged in the community. DESE developed Arkansas Academic Standards and courses that outline the academic expectations in the state.

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Background and Purpose

The Right to Read Act, amended by the Arkansas Legislature in 2019, requires “curriculum programs that are supported by the science of reading and based on instruction that is explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic, including without limitation: (1) dyslexia programs that are evidence based and aligned to structured literacy or grounded in the Orton-Gillingham methodology, (2) evidence-based reading intervention programs, and (3) evidence-based reading programs that are grounded in the science of reading.” Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-429(f), the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall identify and create a list of approved materials, resources, and curriculum programs for public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools that are supported by the science of reading and based on instruction that is explicit, systematic, cumulative, and diagnostic, including dyslexia programs, evidence-based reading intervention programs, etc.

Arkansas Approved Reading Programs

All programs on the lists linked below are considered approved programs.

Combined List: AR K-12 Science of Reading Approved HQIM

Arkansas EdReports

Arkansas K-6 Approved Literacy Curriculum Programs

Arkansas K-12 Approved Dyslexia Intervention Programs

Arkansas K-12 Approved Reading Intervention Programs

Reading Program Review and Approval Process

Using EdReports as a foundation, the review process adds Arkansas-specific layers to ensure programs meet state-specific instructional priorities. This process supports districts in identifying, adopting, and implementing HQIM aligned to the five components of reading.

To initiate a review for inclusion in the Arkansas EdReports Catalog of Approved Literacy Programs, programs must first be submitted for review by EdReports here.

Grades K–2

Programs must successfully pass EdReports' Gateways 1 and 2.
Following this, ADE will conduct an additional review using Arkansas-specific criteria linked here.
Only programs that meet these enhanced criteria will be added to the Arkansas Approved Literacy Curriculum List for K–2.

Grades 3–6

Programs that successfully pass EdReports’ Gateways 1 and 2 will be included in the Arkansas EdReports Catalog without an additional ADE review.

Additional Notes

The Arkansas Approved Literacy Curriculum List will highlight comprehensive core programs that sufficiently support all five components of reading.
Component-specific literacy programs approved in earlier review cycles will remain on the approved list as supplements, not replacements, for core instruction.