Teacher shortages continue to be a challenge for state policymakers, and while national media coverage paints a picture of widespread shortages, a closer examination reveals that shortages tend to be concentrated in specific subjects and schools. The primary policy response to shortages is often to recruit more teachers, but research demonstrates…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§ 6-20-2201 et seq., Annual Statistical Report of the Public School of Arkansas and Education Service Cooperatives, 2017-2018 Actual and 2018-2019 Budgeted, (ASR) is presented here. The Rankings of Selected items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2017-2018 Actual, (Rankings) are also included. The school…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§ 6-20-2201 et seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public Schools of Arkansas, Open Enrollment Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2018-2019 Actual and 2019-2020 Budgeted, (ASR) is hereby submitted. The Rankings of Selected items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2018-2019…

Unfortunately, Arkansas has faced a massive shortage of certified teachers for decades. Statewide, 4 percent of public school teachers are uncertified, with another 3 percent teaching out of field. In many districts, the percentage of uncertified is much higher: as high as 56 percent in the Helena-West Helena School District, and 52 percent in the…

Unfortunately, far too many Arkansas students are being taught by teachers who are uncertified in the subject they are teaching. This report analyzes the extent and potential causes of Arkansas' teacher shortage and propose a series of recommendations for state policymakers. Two primary findings about the shortage were identified: (1) Shortages…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§ 6-20-2201 et seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public School of Arkansas, Open Enrollment Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2016-2017 Actual and 2017-2018 Budgeted, (ASR) is hereby submitted. The Rankings of Selected items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2016-2017…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§§6-20-2201 et seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public Schools of Arkansas, Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2014-2015 Actual and 2015-2016 Budgeted, (ASR) is presented here. The Rankings of Selected Items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2014-2015 Actual, (Rankings)…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§ 6-20-2201 et seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public School of Arkansas, Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2015-2016 Actual and 2016-2017 Budgeted, (ASR) is hereby submitted. The Rankings of Selected items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2015-2016 Actual,…

In compliance with the provisions of A.C.A.§§6-20-2201 et seq., the Annual Statistical Report of the Public Schools of Arkansas, Public Charter Schools, and Education Service Cooperatives, 2013-2014 Actual and 2014-2015 Budgeted, (ASR) is presented here. The Rankings of Selected Items of the Public Schools of Arkansas, 2013-2014 Actual, (Rankings)…

Recruit, train, reward, retain. These actions sound like the core competencies of a human resources manager or the buzzwords for economic development initiatives aiming to attract Fortune 500 companies. The same principles apply to finding, preparing and retaining effective educators. All 16 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) states have…

The Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) provided states with newfound flexibility on accountability measures and school improvement strategies. Many policy experts have analyzed states' ESSA plans, which explain how states use their federal funds under various provisions of the new law, as well as the approaches states take to identify and rate…

Reports results of a five-state survey of 331 small school superintendents from Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas which studied techniques and plans of action for teacher recruitment and teacher maintenance. (AH)

This report presents the Arkansas edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's 2008 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook." The 2008 "Yearbook" focuses on how state policies impact the retention of effective new teachers. This policy evaluation is broken down into three areas that encompass 15 goals. Broadly, these goals…

For five years running, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has tracked states' teacher policies, preparing a detailed and thorough compendium of teacher policy in the United States on topics related to teacher preparation, licensure, evaluation, career advancement, tenure, compensation, pensions and dismissal. The "2011 State…

This Arkansas edition of the National Council on Teacher Quality's (NCTQ's) 2009 "State Teacher Policy Yearbook" is the third annual look at state policies impacting the teaching profession. It is hoped that this report will help focus attention on areas where state policymakers can make changes that will have a positive impact on…