Our OTA students worked with the MASH program for the day. The OTA students taught the MASH students about ADLs (self care and mobility) and IADLs (living independently) with a given diagnosis. They then ended the day with a wheelchair obstacle course.
There are now more than 460,000 students enrolled in Arkansas public schools. And an additional 18,000 attend an open enrollment charter school.
School districts range in size from less than 300 students to nearly 22,000 students. Charter schools range from about 60 students to more than 3,000.
How we fund education in our ever growing schools and provide for changing needs is through a process that begins in Education Committee meetings.
The House and Senate Education Committee met this week to begin that process for the next biennium.
Arkansas schools received many different types of funding totaling nearly 5.9 billion in 2017-18. Generally speaking, about half of school district/charter school operating revenue comes from state sources, about 40% is generated locally and about 10% comes from the federal government.
Foundation Funding primarily consists of local property tax revenues and the state aid portion of foundation funding. To determine the amount of foundation funding, Arkansas uses a specific formula, known as the matrix. The matrix calculates the per-student funding based on the cost of personnel and other resources needed to operate a prototypical school of 500 students.
Legislators involved in the biennial Adequacy Study determine the resources included in each line of the matrix and the dollar amount needed to fund it.
In the most recent legislative session, we increased the per-student funding from $6,713 to $6,899 per student for the 2019-2020 school year. It increases funding to $7,018 per student the following school year.
The committee was also presented with information on student outcome measures. In 2016, the state began administering the ACT Aspire assessment. The 2018 ACT Aspire scores show a decrease in 4th grade students scoring ready or above in math and an increase in the 8th grade math scores.
Arkansas’s high school graduation rate has increased since 2011 to 88% of high school students. While the overall increase mirrors the national trend, Arkansas has consistently achieved higher 4-year graduation rates than the national rates.
The committee is scheduled to meet again on August 19. You can watch all Joint Education Committee meetings online atwww.arkleg.state.ar.us.
2019 Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference Registration
When: Thursday, July 11th, 2019, 8:30 am - 2 pm Where: Skilled Trades Building, UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832 Contact us at (501) 747-2968 or tlmays16@gmail.com
“Retooling Rural Arkansas: Getting Rural Arkansas Back into the Game”
Providing rural residents with the skills and tools needed to create and expand small businesses and engage in job creation activities are the goals of an upcoming regional business conference to be held in De Queen, Arkansas. Funded by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS), Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC), and the United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (USDA, RD), the 2019 Southwest Arkansas Rural Business Development Conference, with a theme of “Retooling Rural Arkansas: Getting Rural Arkansas Back into the Game” will bring together approximately 20 private, state, federal and nonprofit organizations with a singular mission of equipping small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and resources to start and expand their businesses.
Hosted by the AHDC, Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (APTAC), Henderson State University-Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), De Queen Chamber of Commerce, Sevier County, UA Cossatot and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the conference will be held Thursday, July 11, 2019 from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm at the Skilled Trades Building, which is located on the campus of UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. Topics will include but are not limited to, building effective business relationships, securing the right kind of capital, how to sell goods and services to the government, and how to use the many services of the ASBTDC to develop and/or expand your business.
Join us at 8:30 am for a “Breakfast with the Lenders Roundtable,” where participants will network with local, regional and statewide lenders. Lenders invited to participate include Arkansas Capital Corporation Group, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arvest, BancorpSouth, Communities Unlimited, Diamond, First State, Farm Credit of Western Arkansas, Horatio State and Bank of Lockesburg, along with USDA, Rural Development. A breakout session devoted to SBA regulations will be led by SBA Region 6 Advocate Mr. Rhett Davis and Mr. Joe Knilans SBA Rural Affairs Advocate.
Current business owners and those just getting started, youth entrepreneurs, business and technical school students, apprentices, veterans, faith-based leaders and community and economic development professionals, are invited to attend. You will engage with other business owners, receive help with research and business planning, learn how to increase your networking results and learn to do more business with government and private industry. Mr. Edward Haddock, District Director for the Arkansas office of the SBA, will deliver the luncheon address. He will discuss the strategic focus and programs administered by the SBA as well as partnerships with other federal and private agencies.
Don’t miss the opportunity to help your community create needed JOBS by learning valuable tools to help your small business GROW! And, INNOVATE!
AN INVESTMENT OF TIME IS THE COST TO ATTEND BUT REGISTRATION IS ENCOURAGED.
You may register by calling Arkansas Human Development Corporation toll free at (800) 482-7641
or (501) 374-1103, ext. 10 or online at https://bit.ly/2I2iFs7
Sevier County Arkansas Sheriff's Department Deputy Chris Wolcott was in the Ed 88 studio today to talk about Good Grid coming to Sevier County!
Keisha Pittman McKinney of the Sevier County Tourism Committee visited Friday on the Morning Show to talk about the many archeologists who are digging around Sevier County this month.Arkansas Archeological Survey Arkansas Archeological Society Lisa Taylor, Sevier County - AR - Economic Development Director
Arkansas Archeological Society presentation in Lockesburg Thursday evening
Special guest on the Thursday Ed-ition of The Morning Show was Melissa Zabecki of the Arkansas Archeological Survey. Mel talked about the AAS digs going on right now in Sevier County and invites everyone to her presentation at the historic Bank of Lockesburg / UA Cossatot gym at 6:30 Thursday night, 06/13.
Special guest speaker Tuesday at the De Queen Lions Club Meeting was Emily White who is currently working as the District Court Judge for the 4th Congressional District in Arkansas - Hot Spring and Grant counties. Emily talked about her previous law experience as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, in the private sector, and as Deputy Executive Director in the Little Rock area.
State of Arkansas District Court Judge Emily White and De Queen Lions Club President Jeff Brown
Rylee Burden, State Representative DeAnn Vaught, and Aniya Polite
Rylee Burden and Aniya Polite
A.J. Hopkins and Cole Smith
Ashdown High School was well represented at Arkansas Girls State and Arkansas Boys State. Rylee Burden and Aniya Polite attended Girls State on the campus of Harding University in Searcy and A. J. Hopkins and Cole Smith attended Boys State which was held on the University of Central Arkansas Campus in Conway.
The American Legion Auxiliary believes that educating youth about the basic ideas and principals of government will help ensure the survival of our democracy. ALA Arkansas Girls State is a unique and exciting government-in-action learning program in which Auxiliary members guide young women to become knowledgeable stewards of freedom, democracy, and patriotic citizens. The program started in 1937 and is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States, according to their website.
According to Rylee Burden, “Girls State was a whirlwind of a week. We were up before 6 or 7 in the morning and stayed awake until after 11 or 12. It was very busy but was a great time. I learned tons of politics and how our government works. I really enjoyed watching the mock trial with Judge Harrod and learning about how trials work. I also enjoyed meeting tons of new people and learning about them, while also creating friendships."
Aniya Polite said, “Girls State was an extraordinary experience! I want to thank Ashdown High School and the community of Ashdown for selecting me to attend this wonderful event. There were many things that I loved about Girls State one was the atmosphere. It was so POSITIVE and LOVING! I was accepted immediately by people I had never met before. The weather may have not been great, but there was not a time that our spirits weren’t. We all thought that school was out, but it felt like we had started school again. Learning about how the Arkansas government functions and how much they take on to make sure the people of Arkansas are well satisfied is unpredictable. At Girls State, there were songs that we would sing. To hear all the voices singing together as one was an amazing feeling. It was a feeling that would overwhelm a person with joy and love! If I had a chance to experience Girls State again….I would NOT hesitate!!"
According to the Boys State website, it is an immersive program designed for high school juniors. The week-long program has been in existence for over 75 years. Upon arrival, each participant is assigned a mock political party, city, and county. Throughout the week, the delegates administrate this mock government as if it were the real government. Every phase of the program includes practical instruction on the duties and responsibilities both of a citizen and of public officials. Citizens of Boys State are instructed in the duties of the various public offices. After they learn the function of each office, its powers and limitations, they function in that role throughout the remaining week.
By weeks end Boys State has created their own state including their own governor and staff of state officials, name appointive officers, established the state Supreme Court and other courts, and organized the legislature and all other divisions of government.
A.J. Hopkins said, “My favorite things were the bonds I made with brothers in my county and how over just a week we became such close friends. I learned many things about how our state government works and I think many people should participate and be introduced to Boys State!"
“Some of the fun things I did while I was at Boys State included participating in the sports activities, running for county positions, and meeting new people from all over the state. Some of the things I learned were to always be open-minded to other people, and also how the Arkansas government works and what goes on within each position," said Cole Smith. His favorite part of Boys State was being elected for his county Secretary of State, being elected for position #11 for the House of Representatives and getting to sit in and vote on passing bills for the state!
At the end of the week, the delegates went to the Capital in Little Rock and the elected state officers took the offices of the actual Arkansas state positions for the day.
Rylee Burden
Cole Smith
A.J. Hopkins and Cole Smith
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As the nation's health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health, safety, and security threats.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 4 of adults in the United States have some type of disability. In Arkansas, that number climbs to 1 in 3.
In the most recent legislative session, there were a number of acts passed to help better ensure thateverybody has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities.
Act 59 amends the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program. This program allows Arkansans with disabilities to save up to $15,000 in an account without impacting eligibility for many public benefits. Act 59 ensures that in the event of a death, the money in that savings account cannot be seized by Medicaid but can instead be transferred to a designated beneficiary.
Act 825 allows individuals to deduct up to $5,000 in contributions to the Achieving a Better Life Experience Program.
We also passed legislation addressing mental health for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Act 644 states a certified mental health professional shall offer culturally affirmative mental health services and linguistically appropriate mental health services to a client in the client’s primary communication method. It also states the Division of Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services of DHS shall do the same. The division is also instructed employ a coordinator to ensure linguistically appropriate mental health services are available and accessible statewide.
To protect our most vulnerable students, we passed Act 557. This legislation states that a school district shall not use corporal punishment on a child who is intellectually disabled, non-ambulatory, non-verbal, or autistic.
We also passed laws addressing how we write or speak about people with disabilities. It is important to put the person first. Catch-all phrases such as “the blind”, “the deaf” or “the disabled”, do not reflect the individuality, equality or dignity of people with disabilities.
Act 1035 amends laws regarding treatment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This legislation ensures that respectful language is used within the Arkansas code including changing the term mental retardation to intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Act 236 concerns special license plates and certificates for persons with disabilities. It states the special license plate issued by the DFA should contain the international symbol of access and not display the word "disabled".
Together, we can create inclusive communities where people with disabilities can be healthy and lead full, active lives. To find out what your community can do, visit www.cdc.gov.
Pictured L-R: Samantha Kroll - County Extension Agent, Agriculture, Nick Trombley, Anthony Trombley, Alex Trombley and Kris Woodruff.
Howard County 4-H members Nick Trombley, Alex Trombley and Anthony Trombley, along with 4-H leader Kris Woodruff and County Extension Agent-Agriculture Samantha Kroll spent five day May 30 – June 3 in College Park, Maryland competing at the 2019 International SeaPerch Challenge. The three brothers were joined by other youth from Arkansas along with youth from all 50 states, Puerto, the U.S. Virgin Islands and New Zealand. The team placed 62 out of 199 teams.
While in Maryland the boys attended different workshops, listened to other youth present Citizen Science Presentations, visit with other competitors about how to improve their ROV. They also spent a day touring Washington, D.C., getting to see many of the National Monuments, and exploring the Air and Space Smithsonian and the Smithsonian National Zoo. These five days were a really fun and educational experience for the boys.
If you are interested in joining 4-H or for more information about our programs, please contact the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.
Greetings!
I spent the first half of the week in Washington, D.C. It was a quick three days, but exciting nonetheless. One of the highlights was leading a tour of the Capitol for the De Queen Quiz Bowl Team. These students travelled to D.C. to compete in the National Quiz Bowl Championship. I could not be more proud of the team and the hard work they put into this competition. I also welcomed three new interns to my D.C. office. These interns will answer phones, lead Capitol tours and assist my staff with legislative correspondence.
While I was in Washington D.C., my heart and mind were back in Arkansas with all of those who have been affected by the record-level flooding. Because legislative business was only scheduled for three days this week, I was able to visit with local officials in impacted communities in the Fourth District. I have been impressed with the coordination between the local communities, state officials, the National Guard and the Governor's office who have utilized an all-hands-on-deck approach to flood relief. I’ve seen communities rallying together in their time of need, and that’s what makes me proud to be an Arkansan. We will emerge from this stronger than ever before.
I know many of you were evacuated, lost your homes and crops, or watched floodwaters devastate your community. I encourage you to call my main district office at (501) 609-9796 to see how I or my staff can help you.
Until next week,
Bruce Westerman
Arkansas' Fourth District
An historic flood event is happening along the Arkansas River. For the latest information regarding river levels and forecast info, visit the NWS webpage weather.gov/lzk.
UA Cossatot broke a record at its spring graduation ceremony in Lockesburg on May 11, 2019. The Office of the Registrar at UA Cossatot announces that the college’s spring 2019 semester hit its highest record of graduates and awards in the college’s history.
This spring semester, UA Cossatot had 241 students graduate with 332 awards. These awards include associate degrees, technical certificates, and certificates of proficiency. UA Cossatot’s 2018-2019 school year has also seen more graduates across an academic school year than ever before. The academic school year will end in August and as of June 2019, the total number of credentials awarded to graduates stands at 724.
UA Cossatot’s Chancellor, Dr. Steve Cole said, “We are proud to have the third highest graduation rate in Arkansas, but for us to increase our number of credentials awarded by 58% in just four years, that is just great students coupled with great employees all working towards one goal. In Governor Hutchinson’s Closing the Gap Educational Plan, it mentions wanting to increase credentials by 40% by the year 2020. We certainly wanted to do our part…and we did, and then some. These record numbers also mean that when students come to UA Cossatot, they are more likely to graduate on time, and with one or more certificates or certifications.”
UA Cossatot offers many certificates and degrees to help people achieve their educational goals and find employment. Associate-level degrees offered at UA Cossatot involve two years of study (60-65 credit hours) and are intended to provide graduates the ability to go straight to work in their chosen field or prepare students for junior and senior level courses at a four-year institution. Technical certificates and certificates of proficiency also prepare students for careers. Technical certificates generally take less than two years to complete, and certificates of proficiency take one to two semesters and assist students in acquiring or improving work based skills.
Since August of 2018, 167 students have graduated with an Associate’s degree, 269 students have graduated with a technical certificate, and 288 students have graduated with a certificate of proficiency. The college has also awarded 4,458 certificates and degrees to UA Cossatot students over the past ten years.
Check out the SW AR Tourism Attractions Page here on the Ed 88 Website. Southwest Arkansas has a lot to offer!
LITTLE ROCK, AR (June 5, 2019) – Summertime is fun time in Arkansas, and our state is open for business and waiting to welcome you to The Natural State.
From our majestic mountains to our sparkling blue recreational waters, Arkansas is ready to help families make new vacation memories.
“The flooding in our state has been challenging for those impacted,” said Jim Shamburger, chairman of the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. “However, it is isolated and confined to areas along the Arkansas River. The rest of the state is in great shape and our interstate system, including Interstates 30 and 40, are clear for travel.”
Only Pinnacle Mountain State Park in central Arkansas is currently closed.
Arkansas public and private lodging accommodations, federal recreation areas, and outdoor sporting venues are open and ready for your business.
“No matter the activity – water sports, fishing, biking or road trips – our tourism industry is ready to make this a summer to remember with the outstanding hospitality for which Arkansas is known,” Shamburger said.
Tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas with an annual economic impact of approximately $7.5 billion and employing more than 116,000 Arkansans.
For more information, go to Arkansas.com andArkansasStateParks.com.
Preparation for the Arkansas Archeological Survey Team and the Arkansas Archeological Society Summer Program has been underway since last March. Well, June is finally here and our guests will begin arriving this afternoon! Their presence will be felt, mainly on the De Queen and Lockesburg campuses but there will be many opportunities for you to meet, visit with, and discover what their mission is all about.
Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through the week.
The Arkansas River has crested at Van Buren, Ozark, Dardanelle, Morrilton, and Toad Suck. The river is expected to crest at Little Rock Tuesday morning (6/4), Pine Bluff on Wednesday (6/5), and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).
Major to record flooding will continue at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Backwater flooding will be an issue as well. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding.
Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put continued stress on levees along the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee over topping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river.
Rain chances will increase over the next few days, as deep moisture moves back into the region, and several systems move through. Another potential problem could end up being tropical development in the western Gulf of Mexico. Much of Arkansas is still expected to see two to four inches of rainfall.
Significant flooding will continue down the Arkansas River from eastern Oklahoma across the entire state of Arkansas through this week and into next week (early June). We have attached a few images to convey the details of this flooding.
Flooding moves down river basins and crests relatively slowly from one location to another as a flood crest or wave moving down river. As of this afternoon (Thursday, 5/30) the Arkansas River was cresting in western Arkansas, but is not expected to crest fully until Friday at Ozark. The flood wave is expected to crest at Dardanelle on Saturday (June 1st) and Morrilton on Sunday. The river is forecast to crest at Toad Suck on Monday , at Little Rock on Tuesday (June 4th), and at Pine Bluff on June 5th and at Pendleton on Friday (6/7).
Major to record flooding is expected at all points along the Arkansas River in Arkansas. This will likely cause flooding of property near the river, especially in low-lying areas. Impacts will be felt well out ahead of the forecast crest, so our best advice is to avoid going near the river, especially for any recreational purposes, during this period of high flow/flooding. A record flood is forecast along the Arkansas River from Toad Suck to points northwest. This flood along the river is expected to be the worst ever recorded flood along the river! Make sure to follow all instructions from local safety officials, and never drive past a barricaded/closed road sign. We want everyone to make it through this flood safely. Near record water levels will remain on the Arkansas River for several days, and this will put unprecedented stress on levees long the river. Any weak point along the levees will be tested as never before, and any levee overtopping or breaching will greatly impact the timing and severity of crests down river. This forecast assumes that the levees remain in tact all along the river.
We have a few dry days forecast along the Arkansas river through the weekend, however rain chances return daily along the Arkansas River basin early next week, especially across north central Oklahoma and south central Kansas. The 7-day forecast calls for another 2-3 inches of rain along the upper Arkansas river basin which will place additional water in the Arkansas River system upstream. Arkansas itself is expected to see another additional 1 inch of rain next week.
We will update graphics each afternoon, but please see
https://www.weather.gov/lzk/wxcntl4.htm and
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LZK
for the latest river forecast information!
The latest inundation forecast from the Corps of Engineers can be found at:
for the latest river forecast information!
Dennis Cavanaugh
Meteorologist, NWS Little Rock
