Arkansas School Recognition Program

According to the ADE Rules Governing the Public School Rating System on Annual School Performance Reports and the School Recognition Program, the Arkansas School Recognition Program was created to provide financial awards to public schools that achieve high student performance and public schools that achieve high student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates where applicable. Student performance will be calculated using weighted achievement (Section 4.01.1). Student growth calculations are described in Section 4.01.2.

Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-2107 authorizes rewards in an amount up to $100 per student who attends a public school or public charter school in the top 5 percent of all Arkansas public schools in student performance or student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates for secondary schools.

Up to $50 per student enrolled is awarded to public schools or public charter schools between the top 5 percent and the next 5 percent (schools in the top 6-10 percent) of all public schools in Arkansas in student performance or student academic growth, which includes high school graduation rates for secondary schools.

Awards are provided below (PDF), list of schools meeting qualifications and award amounts:

• Reward Schools 2024
• Reward Schools 2023
• Reward Schools 2022
• Reward Schools 2021 
• No Data for 2020 (due to COVID 19)
• Reward Schools 2019
• Reward Schools 2018
• Reward Schools 2017
• Reward Schools 2016
• Reward Schools 2015
• Reward Schools 2014
• Reward Schools 2013  
  
  

Schools on the Move Toward Excellence

Schools on the Move Toward Excellence recognizes Arkansas schools who make significant progress on their Public School Ratings and ESSA School Index Reports. Each year, schools are identified (where appropriate by grade span) for various aspects of improvement such as: increased by two letter grades, increased by one letter grade, increased the overall ESSA School Index Score by 5 points or more, weighted achievement increase of 10 points or more, significant increase in value-added growth (2 standard deviations above the mean).

• Schools on the Move Toward Excellence

National Blue Ribbon Schools

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Every year the U. S. Department of Education seeks out and celebrates schools demonstrating that all students can achieve to high levels.  

A list of Arkansas’ Blue Ribbon Award Winners can be found at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Special Education - Federal Programs - National Blue Ribbon Schools website.

• National Blue Ribbon Schools (business rules)

Distinguished Schools Awards

Each year, Title I schools are recognized by the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (NAESPA), formerly the National Association of State Title I Directors, through a joint project with the United States Department of Education as Title I Distinguished Schools. Superior Title I Schools, selected by a state peer review team, receive distinction for one of two categories:

• Category 1: A school that has exceeded Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) for two or more years with ESEA flexibility state standards set under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA).
• Category 2: A school that has significantly closed the achievement gap between subgroups of students with ESEA flexibility state standards set under Title I of ESEA.

More information about all National ESEA Distinguished Schools is available on the NAESPA website: National Title I Distinguished Schools.

A list of Arkansas Title I Distinguished Schools are found at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Offices - Special Education - Federal Programs - Distinguished Schools Awards website.

For more information, please contact:

Hope Worsham, Assistant Commissioner
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Public School Accountability
Four Capitol Mall, Box 26
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-5891
Cell: 501-551-8347
Email: Hope.Worsham@ade.arkansas.gov
 

Louis Ferren, Data Quality Coordinator

Arkansas Department of Education

Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Office of Public School Accountability

Four Capitol Mall, Box 26

Little Rock, AR 72201

Phone: 501-682-4208

Email: Louis.Ferren@ade.arkansas.gov