Are Arkansas social studies teachers actually referencing lists of materials from the state to guide their day-to-day lesson planning? Maybe not. But the chilling effect is real.
Jacob Oliva
Posted inArkansas Blog
Public comment open for LEARNS rules on teacher performance, 3rd grade retention, bathrooms and more
The state board has opened the doors to public input on rules covering some of the most controversial pieces of Arkansas LEARNS.
Posted inArkansas Blog
State seeks ‘local lead’ organizations for early childhood education in 2024-25
The state Department of Education is seeking new applications for local organizations to lead early childhood education efforts around the state in the upcoming school year.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Education Secretary Jacob Oliva says educational cooperatives’ funding will be reevaluated
State Education Department Secretary Jacob Oliva told legislators on Thursday in no uncertain terms that he was not happy with the return on investment from the $55.2 million going out to education cooperatives each year.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Governor unveils eclipse emergency management plans with state officials
A month out, state agencies are preparing for what Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis said “has the potential to be the largest tourism event in the state’s history.”
Posted inArkansas Blog
State Board of Education approves district waivers for winter weather makeup days
The board approved waivers from 119 school districts to switch from the traditional 178-day academic calendar to an hours-based calendar for the rest of the school year.
Posted inArkansas Blog
State deaf and blind schools to get new facility on existing campus, governor says
Contrary to the concerns of families, the state will not be closing the schools or moving them to a new location.
Partner Content
Non-inclusive survey ignites suspicions of a hidden agenda for Arkansas deaf and blind schools
Some fear the state may consolidate or even close the schools for the deaf and blind.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Arkansas Ed Secretary Jacob Oliva still in the soup on bid-rigging debacle in Florida
A grand jury investigation of Florida education officials’ attempts to get a piece of privatization money for themselves is ongoing, and Arkansas’s own Florida man Jacob Oliva remains in the mix.
Posted inArkansas Blog
Memo shows governor’s office demands close oversight of agency FOIA responses
The newly surfaced memo sheds fresh light on the extent to which the governor and her staff have insisted on controlling communications with the press and the public since Sanders first took office.