3 schools receive $3.1M in grants
Three Arkansas schools are the latest in the state to receive federal School Improvement Grants worth approximately $3.1 million in the first year.
Baseline Elementary School in the Little Rock School District will receive $1,649,518.88, Bellepoint Alternative School in the Fort Smith School District will receive $1,020,954 and Osceola High School in the Osceola School District will receive $453,467.50 for the forthcoming school year.
These funds are renewable for up to five years, pending federal allocations.
"These schools will greatly benefit from the additional funds," Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key said. "The funds will allow schools to think outside the box and provide additional resources to help students achieve academic success."
School districts underwent a competitive application process requiring them to show how they would implement school improvement models approved by the federal government. These models include curriculum changes, professional development and extended learning time.
Recipients can use the federal funds for before- and after-school instructional planning, planning for extended school days, and additional support staff and interventions to help reduce suspensions and dropouts. Funds also can be used for technology initiatives, weekend tutoring programs, hiring firms that specialize in improving schools and partnering with higher education to highlight science and math careers.
Since 2009, when the school grant program was redesigned, Arkansas has received more than $60 million.
4 new members join charter panel
Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key has appointed several new members to the Charter Authorizing Panel that oversees the establishment, renewal, revision and revocation of charters for open-enrollment and district charter schools.
The Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013 requires the commissioner to appoint agency staff members to the panel.
The new members are Mark Gotcher, deputy commissioner; Greg Rogers, assistant commissioner for fiscal and administrative services; Jennifer Liwo, an attorney for the department's professional licensure standards board; and Bobby Lester, director of the federal programs unit.
Other members who remain on the panel are Debbie Jones, assistant commissioner for learning services, who will serve as vice chairman; Annette Barnes, assistant commissioner for public school accountability; Ivy Pfeffer, assistant commissioner for educator effectiveness and licensure; and Eric Saunders, assistant commissioner for research and technology.
Deborah Coffman, the department's chief of staff who has served on the panel since 2013, will serve as the chairman.
Metro on 07/02/2015