Episode Details

Happy Friday!

As we move through the second half of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the time, effort, and thoughtfulness you bring to our students every day. Whether in the classroom, in support roles, or behind the scenes, your commitment makes a difference. With only 70 instructional days left, every lesson, every intervention, and every moment of support matters as we work toward our performance targets. This week, much of our focus has been on digging into the recently released ATLAS test growth data. While looking at past performance, it is easy to get lost in the numbers, but the real value lies in how we use this information to guide our next steps. We are also evaluating our broader progress, and while unofficial, our graduation rate from last year appears to be trending in a positive direction. These milestones remind us that progress is built one step at a time, and our efforts now will shape student success in the months ahead.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

Assessment data is not an endpoint—it is a roadmap. The ATLAS test growth data from last year provides a broad view of student progress, but our real work happens in how we interpret and apply that data. This is why we are taking a deeper dive, using other diagnostic tools to get a more complete picture of which students need additional support and what strategies will serve them best. Numbers alone do not tell the full story; they are just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes teacher insight, daily performance, and individual student needs.

Our goal is not to dwell on past scores but to ensure that we are making informed, intentional decisions to support student growth moving forward. Every data point is an opportunity—an opportunity to refine instruction, to identify strengths, and to provide targeted interventions where they matter most. This work is not about looking back with regret or assigning blame, but rather about recognizing both the progress we have made and the areas where we can still grow. We should feel proud of the gains our students have made, knowing that our efforts have made a difference, but we must also continue pushing them toward even higher expectations. Growth does not stop when goals are met—it expands as we challenge our students to reach their full potential.

Legislative Update

There are several bills currently in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly that school employees may be particularly interested in. SB 59 (link) proposes providing every public school student with one free breakfast per school day upon request, regardless of their eligibility for federally funded meal programs. HB 1283 (link) seeks to establish K-12 digital media standards through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, ensuring that students receive structured instruction in digital literacy. HB 1190 (link) would create an income tax exemption for teachers, with efforts underway to expand the exemption to additional school staff. HB 1051 (link) aims to amend the public school start date requirements, which could have implications for scheduling and instructional planning. HB 1021 (link) introduces the Early Childhood Education Workforce Quality Incentive Act, providing an income tax credit for early