The Arkansas Department of Health has been designated as the lead agency in coordinating information in response to COVID-19. Get information and updates here: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
Additional guidance for Arkansas schools regarding COVID-19 has been released in Commissioner's Memo LS-20-089. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4328
Governor Hutchinson declares a public health emergency in response to COVID-19. See Executive Order 20-03 here.
https://governor.arkansas.gov/news-media/press-releases/governor-hutchinson-confirms-states-first-presumptive-positive-covid-19-cas
Governor Hutchinson has announced that Arkansas has identified its first “presumptive” COVID-19 case. https://talkbusiness.net/2020/03/gov-hutchinson-first-presumptive-coronavirus-case-confirmed-in-arkansas/
The ADE-DESE Office of Computer Science announces the continuation of the Advanced High School Computer Science Professional Development Bonus (previously stipend) Program. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4346
The ADE Office of Computer Science announces the continuation and a $200,000 expansion of the K-8 Computer Science Lead Teacher Bonus (previously Stipend) and Training Program for the 2020-2021 school year. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4344
The ADE-DESE Office of Computer Science releases informational updates to the Arkansas High School Computer Science Teacher Endorsement and Instruction Bonus Program. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4345
Commissioner's Memo FIN-20-032. The Federal and State Funding Units at the DESE have merged to form the School Funding Unit. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4342
Commissioner's Memo COM-20-097. Changes are coming to the Computer Science Educator Stipend Programs. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4340
The APPEL online application is NOW available from March 1 through May 29, 2020, for the June cohort and through July 3, 2020 for the July cohort. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4338
The ADE will begin accepting nominations for the 2021 AR Teacher of the Year (ATOY) beginning March 13, 2020. Each public-school district in AR may select one teacher of the year and nominate that teacher for the ATOY. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4337
The 2020 AASBO Conference is still underway!
Congratulations to our AASBO members who completed CASBO Certification in the last year. Certification requires 30 hours of coursework and dedication!
AAEA Executive Director Dr. Richard Abernathy presenting on issues such as funding, retirement, and education adequacy at the AASBO Conference. @The_AAEA
Workers Compensation breakout session at the AASBO Conference in Hot Springs.
At the AASBO Conference today, Jake Haak, CFO, Rogers School District, was recognized as the 2020 Truett Goatcher AASBO Administrator of the Year. He invited his staff to join him on stage. Congratulations, Jake!
STEM Summer Internship for Teachers. Deadline to apply is March 8! http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4329
AMI Days extended to 10 days and Opportunity to Submit Application Extended to May 1. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4331
NOTICE: DESE, in collaboration with the AR Dept. of Health, releases guidance for schools regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?Id=4328
February 21, 2020, AASBO/AAFC/DESE Drive-In Conference video recordings and presentation materials now available. http://adecm.arkansas.gov/ViewApprovedMemo.aspx?id=4322
Education Week article, "9 Things Educators Need to Know About Coronavirus." https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/02/28/9-things-educators-need-to-know-about.html?cmp=eml-enl-eu-news2&M=59054215&U=1120007&UUID=e667a215029eabf4f3289da6b728d4f6