State legislators and representatives of Arkansas school districts gathered Thursday evening at Trice Elementary to discuss the importance of public education.
"A good public school helps students become good citizens," said Dr. Becky Kesler, Texarkana, Ark., School District superintendent, as she opened the Education Forum. "They become contributing citizens to our local community."
Forum leader Diana Lowe used her introductory comments to explain the four-part mission of Arkansas schools.
"First, we need to ensure that our children have access to quality pre-K education," said Lowe, who is TASD curriculum director. "Second, we need to work to improve professional development in our colleges' teacher prep programs. Third, we provide adequate facilities."
Lowe said a district cannot afford to overlook the condition of its property, since that is one of the things an industry considers when deciding on where to locate.
"No. 4, a single, standardized test should not solely identify a student, school or community," Lowe said.
The first speaker, Texarkana, Ark., magnet coordinator Rachel Scott, explained the Montage Project, which is funded by the Magnet Schools Assistant Program. The program recently rewarded TASD with a $14.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
"We have a five-year plan and are aligned to embrace a high-tech learning environment for our students," Scott said, explaining how the money will be used.
The three main goals of the plan are to achieve excellence in daily operations; achieve STEM accreditation; and recruit students to the district.
"Currently no school in Arkansas has received STEM accreditation," Scott remarked, adding, "but Texarkana, Ark., High School wants to be the first in our state."
According to the plan, the $14.7 million has been portioned as such: $6,622,327 to personnel and benefits; $510,000 to travel; $4,119,800 to supplies and materials; $961,000 to equipment; and $2,788,794 to professional development.
"We have most of the money going toward personnel and training because we know that is the best place to spend our money," Scott said. "The small amount for travel is because we want to use less instructional time and instead use our own schools in the summer."
Next to the podium was Tracey-Ann Nelson, the executive director of the Arkansas Education Association, who remarked that "it is the opinion of the AEA that Dr. Kesler is the best superintendent in the state, due to the way she pulls together student success, employee retention and community support."
Lee Smith, Horatio, Ark., School District superintendent, explained his districts' plan, "Every Learner, Every Dream, Every Day." This plan consists of making school more engaging for students to prompt them to want to achieve success. A flexible modified schedule and an afterschool program that includes martial arts and gardening help to make that happen.
"We now have a 96.2 percent attendance rate, up from 92.8 percent since implementing the program," Smith said. "We have started drone and coding classes, virtual reality and robotics program, and free iPad Pros' for all of our students in grades seven through 12. Plus, we have upgraded our high speed internet at the schools."
According to Mike Mertens, Arkansas Association of Education Administrators assistant executive director, Arkansas schools need a more "student-centered learning environment. Our state has done a great job of bringing connectivity to the schools and we need to expand that to rural communities to make sure they have that at home."
Speaking on behalf of De Queen, Ark., district schools was Misti Gentry, high school counselor. She said that out of 2,500 students, 70 percent are on free/reduced lunch, and 60 percent are Hispanic, giving it the fifth largest number of Hispanic students in the state. "We have a very strong ESL program. We monitor our students very closely and offer morning tutoring which focuses on STEM, robotic and science training."
That focus could be the reason that De Queen Elementary was named Title 1 School of the Year. Each year, they challenge students by holding a STEM Fair, similar to a science fair.
The last speaker, Andretti Murphy, teacher at Eastside Elementary in Magnolia, Ark., announced the new Performing Arts Center being built on the high school campus. "The 750-seat facility will benefit both school and community," she said.
Murphy also brought news of a new configuration that will bring the ninth grade into high school, whereas it is currently grouped with the seventh and eighth grades in junior high. "It's important that ninth-graders be with the high school because everything they do goes toward their graduation."
Nelson wrapped up the forum by saying, "If they show up, we take them, no matter what. We have to educate them."