Special Education

2026 LEA ACADEMY

Blueprint for Opportunity

Creating Student Success from Birth to Post-Secondary

October 6 – 7, 2026

Hot Springs Convention Center | Hot Springs, Arkansas

We are excited to announce that the 2026 LEA Academy will be held on October 6 – 7 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. This year’s Academy features keynote and breakout sessions built around Blueprint for Opportunity: Creating Student Success from Birth to Post-Secondary.

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Session descriptions, daily schedules, and presenter handouts are posted as presenters provide them. Paper copies of presentations will not be distributed at the Academy.

sites.google.com/view/leaacademy2026

The Office of Special Education and Federal Programs collaborates with local school districts, educational service cooperatives, and other state agencies to ensure that all children with disabilities (ages 3 to 21) in Arkansas receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Office of Special Education is committed to improving educational results for students with disabilities through statewide leadership, support, and service to schools, educators, students, families, and other stakeholders.

General Supervision Responsibilities include:

Ensuring compliance with program and fiscal requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related state laws and regulations;
Professional development and technical assistance outreach to improve special education programs;
Supporting efforts to ensure special educators are adequately prepared to meet the needs of children with disabilities;
Management of federally required data reporting and analysis;
Administration and oversight of state and local special education annual applications/budgets and related expenditures; and
Maintaining an effective system for dispute resolution.