Alternative Education
The Office of Alternative Education is part of the Division of Learning Services. Through leadership that strongly encourages the development of meaningful research-based intervention programs for Arkansas students, Alternative Education aims to renew the hope of at-risk students for a brighter future.
New Scholarship Opportunity
Teacher Qualifications
Arkansas Qualified Teachers (AQT) - The State Board of Education has approved an additional option for Alternative Education teachers to demonstrate content knowledge, as required by the AQT rules. This option can be seen at: adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=1976. Please click on AQT worksheet for an updated version.
The Office of Alternative Education Mission
The Office of Alternative Education's Mission team works with schools to ensure that students who require a non-traditional educational environment have opportunities to learn at high levels. It is the mission of the Alternative Education team to provide leadership, support, and service to schools, districts, and communities so every student graduates prepared for college, career, and community engagement.
Annual Report
State law requires that the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education submit a report annually to the state legislature. The data gathered from the annual report and program descriptions assist in developing information provided in that report. The Arkansas Public School Computer Network and the ADE Data Center also provide data.
- AE Approved Three Year Rotation Cycle Form (PDF)
- ALE Program Description Form Rubric (DOCX)
- eSchool ALE Coding (PDF)
- eSchool Cycle 7 AE Report (PDF)
- AE Annual Contact Information Form (DOCX)
- 2023-2024 Annual Program Description Submission Form (DOCX)
- ALE Annual Contact Information Form Link
- Example-Teacher Contact Information Form (XLSX)
Standards and Quality Indicators
The Office of Alternative Education is dedicated to improving the quality of education for Arkansas' hardest to reach students. The Quality Program Indicators Self-Assessment Tool can be used to inform improvement efforts for Alternative Education programs. This tool is located under Related Files on this webpage.
Alternative Education Sample Forms
The following forms may be used to meet the documentation requirements in the rules governing alternative education. Districts are free to develop district-specific forms, so long as all required information is documented.
- Alternative Education Exit Form (PDF)
- Alternative Education Exit Form (Senior) (PDF)
- Alternative Education Joint Agreement (PDF)
- Alternative Education Placement Conference Decision Form (PDF)
- Alternative Education Referral Form (PDF)
- Alternative Education Student Action Plan (PDF)
- Alternative Education Student Action Plan (Senior) (PDF)
- Alternative Education Student Action Plan Review (PDF)
- Alternative Education Student Folder Outline (PDF)
- Alternative Education Transition Plan (PDF)
- Alternative Education Transition Plan 2 (PDF)
Alternative Education Leadership Day
Alternative Education in Arkansas Podcast
Join the DESE Office of Alternative Education staff, as well as experts in related areas, for discussions about alternative education topics of interest.
Link: https://www.spreaker.com/show/alternative-education-in-arkansas
For more information, please contact:
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services
ASU-Beebe
P.O. Box 1000
Beebe, AR 72012
Phone: 501-580-5660
CW.Gardenhire@ade.arkansas.gov
Lisa Johnson, Program Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services
1401 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 425
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-580-2775
Lisa.Johnson@ade.arkansas.gov