ADE Summit 2026

This hands-on workshop teaches district leaders the Pixar Story framework — a proven storytelling structure — to help you cut through job market noise and attract the right candidates. You'll leave with a district story you can start using immediately in your recruiting.

You'll also learn about DESE's partnership with Nimble, which gives Arkansas districts free, grant-funded access to the new statewide job board and recruiting tools. Participating districts have seen applicant volume increase by an average of 95% — this session shows you how to take advantage of these tools for free before the year is out.

State scholarships play a critical role in helping Arkansas students access and afford postsecondary education. This session will provide an overview of the current landscape of Arkansas state scholarship programs, including updates to existing awards, recent policy and legislative changes, and key information affecting student eligibility and participation.

Participants will gain insight into scholarship processing, timelines, and common challenges that institutions and counselors encounter when assisting students. The session will also highlight strategies for ensuring students receive accurate, timely information about available opportunities and requirements.

Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how state scholarships are evolving and how they can best support students in navigating these programs successfully.

TRIS exists because in Arkansas, two-thirds of youth will face at least one potentially traumatic event before adulthood and educators often see the impacts of those events on their campus. This presentation is an overview of the trainings, resources and supports TRIS offers to school staff to help them prepare, support and respond to traumatic events.
• At the end of this presentation the audience will walk away with access to trainings for school staff on how to help them become more trauma-informed and trauma responsive on their campus.
• Participants will gain knowledge on how to use the TRIS Crisis Support Toolkit in their school’s preparation and response to traumatic events.

Join Cambridge and Rogers Public School District as they share about implementation of Cambridge Education Programming to support accelerated learning opportunities for students. Rogers is in early stages of implementation and will share their current program implementation status and their plans for expanding program offerings in their district, aligned to providing accelerated learning opportunities, supporting attainment of the Cambridge AICE diploma and ensuring graduates are success ready.

Accreditation is getting a refresh. Come learn what DESE will be looking for on‑site and how next year’s process and timeline will work differently. Walk away with clarity, direction, and a head start on preparing your district.