January 13, 2005 The Landscape of Arkansas' K-12 Education System: Responses to Questions Posed by the Koret Task Force University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions

Slide 2 of 19January 13, 2005 Presentation Overview VI.Teacher Preparation and Certification VII.Implementation of NCLB: AYP VIII.Transparency of Results IX.School Choice X.Rural Education Challenges I.Economic and Demographic Background II.Overview of K-12 System III.School Funding and Resources IV.Academic Standards V.Testing and Accountability

Slide 3 of 19January 13, 2005 I. Economic and Demographic Background Educational Attainment of the Population: Arkansas and U.S., 2002 % of Population (aged 25+) Arkansas (%) United States (%) Arkansas Rank (of 51) High School Diploma or more79.9%82.6%40 Bachelor’s Degree or more19.7%25.9%47 Source: U.S. Bureau of Census, American Community Survey 2002 figures

Slide 4 of 19January 13, 2005 I. Economic and Demographic Background Source: Education Week (2004), U.S. Census Bureau (2004), National School Lunch Program (2004) CategoryAmount Median Household Income$32,000 (U.S. = $42,000) Poverty Rate18.8% (2 nd highest in U.S.) Students in Title I Schools66.1% Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Price Lunch 48.4% (U.S. = 59%)

Slide 5 of 19January 13, 2005 I. Economic and Demographic Background Student Demographics: Racial minorities: 29% (U.S. = 39%) Students with disabilities: 12.7% English-language learners: 3.4%

Slide 6 of 19January 13, 2005 II. Overview of AR K-12 System CategoryValueRank # of Pre-K–12 Students450,98534 # of Public Schools1,129 # of Districts312 Average ACT Composite Score (2002)* Average Per-Pupil Spending (2001)$6, Average Teacher Salary ( )$37, * Source: Southern Regional Education Board (2003), NEA Research (2003)

Slide 7 of 19January 13, 2005 Math: Grade 4 % Proficient Math: Grade 8 % Proficient Reading: Grade 4 % Proficient Reading: Grade 8 % Proficient AR U.S II. Overview of AR K-12 System NAEP Results: Math & Reading (2003)

Slide 8 of 19January 13, 2005 III. School Funding & Resources Funding Sources: state (60%), local (30%), federal (10%) School Funding Scheme: Foundation Foundation Amount per pupil: $5,400 Additional Categorical Funding Levels: $3,250/student in alternative learning programs & vocational centers $195/student for English language learners $480/student in districts with 70% or less students who qualify for free/reduced lunch (FRL) program $960/student in districts with 70-90% of students in FRL $1440/student in districts with > 90% of students in FRL $50/student for professional development of staff

Slide 9 of 19January 13, 2005 Content Strands Content Standards Student Learning Expectations IV. Academic Standards Detailed exercises specific to each grade level  Language Arts: 3 strands for K-8 (i.e., “Oral & Visual Communications”)  Math: 5 strands for K-8 (i.e., “Geometry & Spatial Sense”)

Slide 10 of 19January 13, 2005 IV. Grades on Standards YearEnglish/Language ArtsMath 2005 CF 2000 DD F Overall Grade on Standards & Accountability (Fordham Foundation)

Slide 11 of 19January 13, 2005 V. Testing & Accountability Arkansas Comprehensive Testing Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) : Math & Reading: Grades 4, 6, 8 Algebra I, Geometry, Literacy: High school : Math & Reading: Grades 3, 5, : Science benchmark tests (primary & middle school) : Biology end-of-course tests (high school)

Slide 12 of 19January 13, 2005 YearGradeState Ranking 2005C (76) C+ (79) B- (80) D+ (68) D (66)35 Overall Grade on Standards & Accountability (Education Week) V. Testing & Accountability

Slide 13 of 19January 13, 2005 VI. Teacher Prep and Certification In addition to B.A. & state certification, AR teachers must demonstrate subject-area competency through either: Passing licensure assessment; At least 5 years teaching experience in subject taught; 90 hours of approved professional development credit in subject taught; Advanced degree (M.A., Ed. Specialist, etc.) in subject taught; National Board Certification in subject taught; or Completion of program described in SEA’s Additional Licensure Plan (which includes state licensure assessment) in subject taught

Slide 14 of 19January 13, 2005 VII. Implementation of NCLB: AYP As of , each district and individual school must increase the proficiency of students by 10% each year In , 305 of Arkansas’ schools did not make AYP: Year 1 School Improvement: 231 schools Year 2 School Improvement: 69 schools Year 3 School Improvement: 4 schools Year 4 School Improvement: 1 school

Slide 15 of 19January 13, 2005 VIII. Transparency of Results AR issues annual state report card detailing results for each school Report Card Features ( ): 150 data fields including 120 on results of state and standardized tests 3 years of data on each school & district 3 years of data at state level 2,000,000 total calculations

Slide 16 of 19January 13, 2005 Example Report Card from 2003: Exams, Advancement, Discipline & Safety, Demographics, Taxpayer Information

Slide 17 of 19January 13, 2005 IX. School Choice CategoryValue Ranking in Heritage Foundation’s Educational Freedom Index (2001) 32 # Students in magnet, charter, vocational schools, etc. 34,000 (7%) # Students home-schooled15,000 (3%) # Private schools Ranking the “strength” of our Charter Law by the Center for Education Reform 182 (26,000 students) 35

Slide 18 of 19January 13, 2005 X. Rural Education Challenges AR District average enrollment = 1,421; US average = 3,333 AR High School average enrollment = 401; US average = 785 Two-thirds of AR HS enroll < 400 Rural Districts (n=210) 2.3 schools (633 students per district) City Districts (n=49) 7.8 schools (4,084 students per district)

Slide 19 of 19January 13, 2005 Final Thoughts: Openness to Reform Is Arkansas open to school reform? There is an active interest group that is … The state did have an accountability law in 1999 mandating ACTAAP … However, there are many who fought against ACT 35 last session … We may learn more on January 31 – February in Little Rock! Any Further Questions: Contact