Congratulations to all of the 2024 high school and post-secondary graduates! 📸 We'd love to see your graduation photos and read what you plan to do next in the comments.

Check out photos from the Statewide STEM Advisory Partners Meeting on May 16: flic.kr/s/aHBqjBqMjp

Partners learned about the #ARReady4STEM Initiative & STEM Education Strategic Plan, attended a panel discussion, and visited STEM Showcase Exhibits and Engagement Activities.

We are excited about this investment in 19 two- and four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas! The ALIGN Program is designed to upskill nursing professionals, expand nursing apprenticeship programs, and increase nurse educator recruitment and retention.

Arkansas LEARNS empowers parents with educational options. Learn more about the Education Freedom Account program at dese.link/EFA! #ArkansasLEARNS

Space is still available to join a Special Education Resource Teacher Academy for 2024-2025! Learn more about the participating university programs and choose one to register for at dese.link/COM-24-100. Add an endorsement to your license in one year at no cost to you!

The DESE Assessment Office is excited to report that 97.3% of Arkansas students in grades 3-10 have completed their end-of-year ATLAS testing before next Friday's deadline! We also offered schools a chance to pilot the new K-3 test, and 39.5% of eligible students participated.

The Arkansas School Nutrition Leadership Training brought district child nutrition professionals to Ferndale on Friday, May 10, where Secretary Oliva delivered the welcome, discussed the state of education in Arkansas, and took questions from the audience.

Space is still available to join an ESOL Institute for 2024-2025! The application deadline for priority consideration is Wednesday, May 15. Applications received after that date will be processed in the order they are received. Learn more at dese.link/LS-24-045.

DESE staff members Alesia Alexander, Isrechea Bolden, LaQuisha Blevens, Maria Lockhart, Stephanie Hall, Maria Lockhart stopped by Central High School, Mabelvale Elementary, and Mabelvale Middle to celebrate with educators for #TeacherAppreciationWeek !

ICYMI: The 74 published a series of articles last week titled 'Saving Schools in America’s Fastest-Shrinking City: Exodus and Renewal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.' You can read all six stories now. the74million.org/saving-schools…

DESE staff members Ashley Harris, Demetrios Gulley, Rodney McCullum, and Stephanie Hall stopped by Mills High School, Fair Park Early Childhood Center, and Romine Early Childhood Center to celebrate with educators for #TeacherAppreciationWeek !

DESE staff members Alesia Alexander, Ashley Harris, Brittany McIntosh, LaQuisha Blevens, Maria Lockhart, and Stephanie Hall stopped by eStem, Friendship Aspire, ScholarMade, and Westwind charter schools to celebrate with educators for #TeacherAppreciationWeek !

DESE staff members Alesia Alexander, Demetrios Gulley, Isrechea Bolden, LaQuisha Blevens, Rodney McCullum, and Stephanie Hall stopped by MLK Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Watson Elementary to celebrate with educators for #TeacherAppreciationWeek !

Mental Health Awareness Week may be over, but our fight against the stigma of seeking mental health services continues. If you or someone you know is in distress or having suicidal thoughts, you can get help 24/7 by calling 988. #LightTheWayAR