This session delves into key opportunities in accelerated learning, the systems that enable effective implementation, and the priorities that drive success. Participants will gain valuable insights into practical strategies for designing, refining, and expanding accelerated learning initiatives. Whether you are an educator or an administrator, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to initiate, enhance, or scale your efforts in acceleration.
Assistant Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education
Kiffany Pride currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services for Arkansas’ Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). With 27 years of experience, Dr. Pride has recently served as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and RISE Assessor for the... Read More →
Deputy Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education
Stacy Smith is a dedicated education professional currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner for the Arkansas Department of Education. With a passion for improving education in the state for all students and educators alike, she plays a pivotal role in shaping the state's educational... Read More →
State CTE Director, Arkansas Department of Education
Ross White, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), brings a wealth of CTE experience and knowledge to the division. Before serving as vice principal at Siloam Springs High School, a position he has held since July 2019, White was the director of the school’s CTE program... Read More →
Tuesday July 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am CDT Fulton (SCC)
As educators, understanding that the school grading system serves as a vital tool for gauging school performance and driving improvement initiatives is critical. It is with great pleasure that ADE announces significant enhancements to this system, aimed at fostering a more simplified approach to assessing our schools' achievements.
As AI tools and digital resources become more powerful and accessible, school and district leaders are seeking ways to modernize instruction without losing the human touch of local educators. In this session, explore how one rural Arkansas school partnered with Virtual Arkansas to implement a standards-aligned digital curriculum in a blended learning model that empowers local teachers while maximizing the potential of real-time assessment and AI-enhanced personalization.
Discover how digital curriculum paired with intentional training and support allows teachers to track student mastery instantly, intervene proactively, and create meaningful learning experiences that are both data-informed and deeply personal. You’ll walk away with insights, outcomes, and practical strategies for leading similar innovations in your own schools.
Executive Director & Superintendent, Virtual Arkansas
Mr. John Ashworth is the Superintendent and Executive Director of Virtual Arkansas, a State Virtual School (SVS) providing supplemental online course options to Arkansas schools. Mr. Ashworth spent eight years as a secondary science teacher and seven years as a building-level principal... Read More →
Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Virtual Arkansas
Dr. Brandie Benton has over 20 years of experience in education and is currently leading the Curriculum and Instruction team for Virtual Arkansas, the state virtual school charged with providing digital learning services to districts across Arkansas.
Tuesday July 29, 2025 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT Izard (SCC)
High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) are transforming K-12 education, and educator preparation programs must evolve to ensure future teachers and leaders are ready to implement these resources effectively. This session explores how The University of Central Arkansas embedding HQIM initiatives into the training of initial licensure candidates—including elementary, middle level, secondary, and MAT students—as well as leadership preparation programs for aspiring administrators. Learn how faculty are integrating HQIM into coursework, field experiences, and leadership development to better align with district needs and improve student outcomes. Participants will also be encouraged to share their needs and experiences regarding novice teachers and the effective implementation of HQIM. Join us for a discussion on best practices, challenges, and the future of HQIM in educator and leader preparation.
Clinical Instructor, University of Central Arkansas College of Education
Olivia Bundrick is a Clinical Instructor in the College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas. She taught 7th and 8th grade mathematics for eight years prior to transitioning to higher education. She focuses on innovative, technology-driven teaching practices to make... Read More →
As a districtwide initiative, Star City School District has leveraged a Google Dashboard to drive transparency and data-driven decision making with the use of standard templates of districtwide unit plans, pacing guides, and proficiency scales, ensuring consistency and clarity in core instruction.
With a mastery level set at 80% for all essential learning standards, our approach prioritizes high expectations for student achievement. Additionally, a tiered response to intervention (RTI) is in place on each campus, providing targeted support to meet diverse student needs.
Hear from curriculum specialists and administrators on how this data-driven framework is fostering meaningful improvements in rigorous academic performance and fostering a lasting impact in classrooms.
This presentation will focus on Southwest Junior High’s participation in the Arkansas Meaningful Access Project and what efforts were made to provide better access to Tier I instruction for students with individual education plans. Participants will learn why and how Southwest strategically plans to build teacher-capacity in the general education setting as well as the steps taken to refine the IEP process. Participants will learn how principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) have been integrated to remove learning barriers for all students and what next steps look like to continue growing capacity in this practice amongst all teachers. In addition, participants will understand that intentionally planning for students with learning differences leads to a better understanding of students' critical needs and supports the development of meaningful transition plans. Moreover, participants will learn how Southwest programs for Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and how data drives those decisions for when and where students receive services.
Objective: This session will provide principals and school leaders with actionable strategies to encourage, support, and sustain collaboration between school librarians and classroom teachers. By fostering a culture of co-teaching and integrated instruction, principals can drive measurable improvements in literacy, research skills, and student engagement while maximizing the impact of library resources.
As a districtwide initiative, Star City School District has leveraged a Google Dashboard to drive transparency and data-driven decision making with the use of standard templates of districtwide unit plans, pacing guides, and proficiency scales, ensuring consistency and clarity in core instruction.
With a mastery level set at 80% for all essential learning standards, our approach prioritizes high expectations for student achievement. Additionally, a tiered response to intervention (RTI) is in place on each campus, providing targeted support to meet diverse student needs.
Hear from curriculum specialists and administrators on how this data-driven framework is fostering meaningful improvements in rigorous academic performance and fostering a lasting impact in classrooms.
This presentation will discuss ways to work as a building wide team to track student progress using CFA and CSA data on essential standards. We will discuss how this tracking allows for identification of students in need of interventions and enrichment and allows school leadership to track student data trends within the building.
With 20 years of experience in education, Jennifer Francis is a dedicated educator who has spent the majority of her career championing student learning in the classroom. As a 6th and 8th grade literacy teacher, Mrs. Francis spent her time in the classroom helping students develop... Read More →
Tuesday July 29, 2025 12:20pm - 1:05pm CDT Pope (SCC)
Where data meets strategy, and insights drive action. Learn how our innovative accountability framework empowers districts and schools to maximize student success and performance with precision-driven solutions.
Explore the evolving landscape of public and special education policy and legal happenings with Dr. Brigid Bright, CASE Associate Executive Director, as she offers insights into how federal policies are shaping the future of education and impacting students with disabilities. Share your concerns, ask questions, and gain perspective tailored to the challenges and opportunities in your district. Whether you're looking to stay ahead of policy changes or seeking guidance to enhance your leadership and advocacy efforts, this session is a must-attend for leaders dedicated to advancing equity and excellence in special education.
In Greenbrier, the Model of Instruction is a rock on which the school community builds its foundation for success. Join this session to learn how Westside Elementary School is collaboratively building the district’s evidence-based Model of Instruction. Grounded in John Hattie’s research, Westside recently focused on three high-impact teaching strategies: feedback, success criteria, and student contribution. Attendees will gain practical insights on collaboratively leading with data to create a unified instructional vision, to foster teacher buy-in, and to ensure consistency across classrooms. Join us to discover how intentional instructional design is sustaining a lasting legacy for student success.
I am the principal at Westside Elementary in Greenbrier! This is my 12th year in education with a wide range of experience in both Special Education and the General Education classroom! I love to lead with a students-first mindset and a deep commitment to joy in learning. My goal... Read More →
My name is Caroline Baker and I am the Assistant Principal at Westside Elementary in Greenbrier! I have been an educator for 14 years. I taught 3rd grade for 9 years and have been an Assistant Principal for the past 5 years at Westside.
Are you ready to elevate your AP program and drive student success? In this session, we will explore the powerful synergy between AP Classroom and AP Instructional Planning Reports.
• AP Classroom provides comprehensive instructional support, offering resources to plan courses, create practice assignments, and track student progress. • AP Instructional Planning Reports offer insights by comparing your students' performance on AP exams against a global benchmark, helping identify areas for targeted improvement.
By integrating these tools, administrators can effectively align instructional strategies with student needs, fostering a more focused and impactful learning environment.
In this session, administrators will learn how to use AP Instructional Planning Reports after AP exams to reflect on the past year and plan for the upcoming school year as well as utilize AP Classroom to support teachers throughout the school year. Join us to gain valuable insights and practical strategies to support your AP program and drive student success.
Explore the evolving landscape of public and special education policy and legal happenings with Dr. Brigid Bright, CASE Associate Executive Director, as she offers insights into how federal policies are shaping the future of education and impacting students with disabilities. Share your concerns, ask questions, and gain perspective tailored to the challenges and opportunities in your district. Whether you're looking to stay ahead of policy changes or seeking guidance to enhance your leadership and advocacy efforts, this session is a must-attend for leaders dedicated to advancing equity and excellence in special education.
Economics Arkansas has many resources to support your district. Join this fun session led by superintendents Dr. Chris Nail, Dr. Karen Walters, and Mike Poore for this fast paced session to learn more about Economics Arkansas.
Topics covered include: Why should your district consider partnering with Economics Arkansas? What are the costs – fiscal and human capital? How does partnering benefit the community? Who’s already using this program, and what have their experiences been? What are the next steps for exploring a partnership in your district? Plus, exciting door prizes will be awarded! Don’t miss out!
This presentation will share how Southside High School developed and implemented an instructional model. The Southside High School Principal will share the journey and alignment with the district continuous improvement plan to implementation and monitoring at the school level as well as the impact on data. Participants will have access to all walk through forms and documents shared during the presentation.
