The information posted is for record only but please feel free to contact ADE about further questions.

The PowerPoint that was presented at the meeting held in Alma, has been posted on the AEA website at
http://www.aeaonline.org/ar-nclb Waiver.ppt

You may also go to the ADE website and look at the proposed rules for the new Arkansas Teacher Evaluation Plan.  Other helpful links include:
 
USDE Website for Official Documents related to the waiver request
http://www.ed.gov/esea/flexibility

ADE Contacts:   
John Hoy, Assistant Commissioner of Academic Accountability
john.hoy@arkansas.gov
     
Dedicated ADE email address to be checked daily
ade.nclbwaivers@arkansas.gov

ADE Announces Time and Dates for Public Meetings Concerning Arkansas' Teacher Evaluation and NCLB Waiver
 
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Education Commissioner Dr. Tom Kimbrell invites anyone interested in the state's new teacher evaluation law and the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law to attend the public informational meetings throughout the state. AEA President Donna Morey encourages all members to participate in these important public meetings.
 
The locations in the state's geographical regions and dates for each of these meetings are listed below.
 
The meetings will focus on:
— Act 1209 of 2011. This law creates a teacher evaluation system for Arkansas's public schools. The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) is seeking input from administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders as the rules for implementing the law are crafted.
 
— The state's NCLB waiver. This is state's pending flexibility request regarding the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), or what is commonly referred to as NCLB. The U.S. Department of Education has offered states the opportunity to apply for waivers from some of the act's requirements in exchange for innovative plans to raise achievement levels.  ADE is seeking input from educators and the community about how to tailor this request.
 
ADE staff will be on hand at each meeting to provide information and to gather feedback.
The schedule for the meetings is as follows:

Southwest Arkansas
Tuesday, Nov. 29
Henderson State University
Lecture Hall – Garrison Activities Center
1100 Henderson Street
Arkadelphia
 
Southeast Arkansas
Thursday, Dec. 1
Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
1022 Scogin Drive
Monticello
 
Northeast Arkansas
Monday, Dec. 5
Arkansas State University
Student Union Auditorium
101 N. Caraway Rd.
Jonesboro
 
Central Arkansas
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Maumelle High School
Lecture Hall
100 Victory Lane
Maumelle

There will be two sessions each day.  The first session will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The second will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Content will be the same for each session.  The evening session is being offered for those unable to attend the earlier session.