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Thursday, July 16
 

10:20am CDT

Accelerating Student Success: Updates to Accelerated Learning in Arkansas
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
This session provides a comprehensive overview of Arkansas’s vision for accelerated learning and how it translates into actionable practice across schools and districts to support student success. Participants will revisit the foundational goals of accelerated learning before exploring key components of the Accelerated Learning Guide, including accelerated learning options, teacher training, and the role of weighted credit and course codes. Attendees will gain clarity on frequently asked questions and leave with practical insights to effectively implement accelerated learning within their local context. 
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Lupe Peña de Martínez

Dr. Lupe Peña de Martínez

Director of Student Support Services, ADE-DESE
Dr. Lupe Peña de Martínez is a native of San Diego de Alejandría, Jalisco, México. She has been a proud Arkansan since 1998. Her husband, Adelso, is a native of Belize and they have a beautiful, blended family, together they have an energetic ten-year-old son and an additional... Read More →
avatar for Krystal Nail

Krystal Nail

Director, Office of Accelerated Learning and Gifted Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Krystal Nail currently serves as the program director for the Office of Accelerated Learning and Gifted Education at the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. With 20 years of experience in education in Arkansas, Krystal previously served... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

10:20am CDT

Algebra 1 Readiness
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
This one-hour session highlights the essential skills that support Algebra 1 readiness and the classroom data levers that most effectively reveal student needs. Participants will learn how simple, everyday data can guide targeted instruction and strengthen students’ pathway to Algebra 1 success.
Speakers
avatar for Ciara Gulley

Ciara Gulley

State Math Specialist, ADE
Ciara Gulley is a highly motivated and student-centered educational leader with a strong foundation in secondary mathematics education and a passion for advancing student success. Currently serving as a State Mathematics Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education, Ciara... Read More →
avatar for Kisa Morman

Kisa Morman

K-12 Math Program Manager, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Kisa Morman, a native of Little Rock, is a K–12 Math School Program Manager with over 20 years in education. She is passionate about helping all students build confidence in math by mastering numeracy, accessing effective interventions, and engaging in problem-solving to foster... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

10:20am CDT

Beyond Integrity: Designing Learning for an AI-Integrated Classroom
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
In this interactive session, we’ll explore how Virtual Arkansas is tackling AI-driven academic integrity and rethinking traditional approaches to plagiarism and assessments. But AI isn’t just changing how students work, it’s also becoming a powerful assistant for teachers. From streamlining feedback to enhancing lesson planning, AI can support educators in creating more meaningful, engaging learning experiences.

Join us as we move beyond “catching cheaters” to fostering ethical AI use, designing smarter assessments, and leveraging AI as a partner in education. Expect practical strategies, real-world examples, and a fresh perspective on AI as both a student tool and a teacher ally. Leave with actionable insights to transform AI from an academic integrity dilemma into an opportunity for growth!
Speakers
avatar for Paula McDougald

Paula McDougald

Lead Course Design Specialist, Virtual Arkansas
Paula McDougald joined Virtual Arkansas in 2015 as a high school math teacher and transitioned to the design department in 2018. Now the Assistant Director of Design and Development, she manages course design projects and oversees organizational branding. With 19 years in education... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

10:20am CDT

Buying Outcomes, Not Services: High-Impact Tutoring Contracts That Deliver Results
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
As states and districts expand High-Impact Tutoring (HIT), leaders are asking a critical question: Are we paying for tutoring time—or paying for student growth? This session explores how outcomes-based contracting (OBC) can shift tutoring procurement from purchasing hours and staffing to purchasing measurable results. Drawing on lessons from districts that piloted outcomes-based HIT contracts this year, participants will examine how to define outcomes, select valid measures, set performance targets, structure payment models, and build monitoring systems that support implementation quality. Attendees will leave with practical examples, key decision points, and a clearer roadmap for designing HIT contracts that drive stronger student outcomes and better return on investment.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Goodwin

Sarah Goodwin

ELA & Course Advisor, ADE - DESE
Formerly a high school ELA teacher, I now serve on the Humanities team at the Arkansas Department of Education – Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (ADE-DESE). As the ELA & Course Advisor, I focus on secondary English Language Arts across the state and oversee course... Read More →
avatar for Isaac Cross

Isaac Cross

Humanities Specialist, Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Isaac Cross serves as the Humanities Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education, supporting statewide initiatives in social studies, community service learning, and Arkansas Celebrates America250. He brings experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and higher education instru... Read More →
avatar for Amy Counts

Amy Counts

Director of Curriculum Projects, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Since 2003, I have worked in K-12 education in Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, and Arkansas. During that time, I have worked in both rural and urban school districts, teaching students in fifth to twelfth grade. In 2019, I joined the Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

10:20am CDT

SPED Hot Topics
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
This session of panelists from the DESE Office of Special Education will highlight updates, current trends, and hot topics in the following areas of special education: Monitoring and Program Effectiveness, Dispute Resolution, Early Childhood, Fiscal Oversight, Assessment & Curriculum, and Training and Professional Development.
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams

Director of Special Programs, Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
avatar for Becky Bell

Becky Bell

Coordinator of Assessment & Curriculum, DESE-OSE
YG

Yvonne Greene

Arkansas Department of Education
avatar for Becky McIver

Becky McIver

State Improvement Plan Coordinator, Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
avatar for Melissa McClendon

Melissa McClendon

Educational Specialist, DESE-State Personnel Development Grant
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

10:20am CDT

Third-Grade Promotion
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
This session offers an overview of the third-grade promotion law, emphasizing state requirements, available resources, and district support for meeting deadlines. Participants will examine literacy as a shared responsibility to ensure all students achieve reading proficiency by third grade. The session also covers prevention and support strategies for K-3 students, reviews good cause exemptions, and discusses next steps for designing student support.
Speakers
avatar for Kiffany Pride

Kiffany Pride

Assistant Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education
Kiffany Pride currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services for Arkansas’ Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). With 27 years of experience, Dr. Pride has recently served as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and RISE Assessor for the... Read More →
avatar for Sandy Shepard

Sandy Shepard

Lead State RISE Specialist, Arkansas Department of Education
In her 35th year in education, Sandy Shepard partners with districts to align K-5 ELA instruction with the Science of Reading and Arkansas standards.
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Exhibit Hall B Hot Springs Convention Center

10:20am CDT

Transforming CTE: From Pathways to Durable Skills That Drive Arkansas Forward
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
CTE in Arkansas is evolving—from simply offering pathways to intentionally developing durable skills that prepare students for long-term success. In this session, participants will explore how Success-Ready Pathways and durable skills align with workforce needs and the LEARNS Act. Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen programs, elevate messaging, and ensure students are truly prepared for what’s next.
Speakers
avatar for Ross White

Ross White

Education Divison Administrator, ADE - DCTE - Office of Leadership
Ross White, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), brings a wealth of CTE experience and knowledge to the division. Before serving as vice principal at Siloam Springs High School, a position he has held since July 2019, White was the director of the school’s CTE program... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
TBA

11:40am CDT

AI for Learning: Instant Insights, Stronger Instruction, Better Results
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Discover how AI-powered tools can turn school and district data into clear, actionable insight for everyday practice in the classroom. This session will show how AI helps align curriculum, assessments, and professional learning to state standards and state test blueprints so educators can close learning gaps, strengthen instruction, reduce manual data work, and support student success.

Join a diverse group of educators who are using AI-driven platforms, such as EdInsights and Prometric Pathways to move beyond static reports to real-time, visual dashboards. Presenters will share practical examples of how AI is surfacing patterns, flagging student needs earlier, delivering assessments directly to students with immediate results, and making it easier for teachers, counselors, and leaders to respond quickly and confidently without adding to their workload.

Speakers
avatar for Melissa Gutierrez

Melissa Gutierrez

K–12 Implementation Consultant, Prometric LLC
avatar for Greg Manzi

Greg Manzi

Product Manager, K–12, Prometric, LLC
Current Manager, Product Development K12, leading the roadmap and development of EdInsights, the K12 Prometric Pathways unified intelligence, reporting, and data visualization platform.  Former Assistant Superintendent of the Assessment, Accountability, Research, and School Improvement... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

11:40am CDT

Aligning Tutoring With Tier I: Making Instructional Coherence Real
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
High-impact tutoring is most effective when it is tightly aligned to core instruction. This session focuses on strategies for ensuring tutoring complements—not competes with—Tier I instruction. Participants will examine how classroom assessments can inform tutoring, how tutors and teachers communicate effectively, and how districts can strengthen instructional coherence across settings and systems. This session will also highlight an ongoing professional learning pilot at an AR district engage in an Outcomes-Based Contract with Instructional Coherence as the objective.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Counts

Amy Counts

Director of Curriculum Projects, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Since 2003, I have worked in K-12 education in Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, and Arkansas. During that time, I have worked in both rural and urban school districts, teaching students in fifth to twelfth grade. In 2019, I joined the Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education... Read More →
avatar for Isaac Cross

Isaac Cross

Humanities Specialist, Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Isaac Cross serves as the Humanities Specialist with the Arkansas Department of Education, supporting statewide initiatives in social studies, community service learning, and Arkansas Celebrates America250. He brings experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum specialist, and higher education instru... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Goodwin

Sarah Goodwin

ELA & Course Advisor, ADE - DESE
Formerly a high school ELA teacher, I now serve on the Humanities team at the Arkansas Department of Education – Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (ADE-DESE). As the ELA & Course Advisor, I focus on secondary English Language Arts across the state and oversee course... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

11:40am CDT

Designed for All: Where HQIM and AT Converge
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Discover how HQIM and assistive technology can work together to support meanignful access for all learners. This session highlights practical ways to design learning experiences that remove barriers, increase access, and promote active participation in grade-level content, including how to utilize the AT4ALL-ARTASC assistive technology loan program.
Speakers
avatar for Evan Beavers

Evan Beavers

AEM Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Education
Evan Beavers currently serves as the Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Coordinator for the Special Education Division for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the state of Arkansas. Previously he served as the Technology Director for Vilonia Public... Read More →
avatar for Amy Goddard

Amy Goddard

Brain Injury Specialist, ADE-OSE
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

11:40am CDT

Expanding Military Career Awareness in Arkansas: Ensuring Equitable Access Through the Military Service & Security Pathway
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
While Arkansas continues to strengthen career pathways statewide, structured military career awareness has historically been limited, leaving many rural and smaller districts without knowledge of the wide range of careers available through the military. In response, Arkansas developed the Arkansas Military Service and Security Pathway (AMSSP) to ensure that all high school students, regardless of geography, can explore military service and related security careers within our existing Career and Technical Education framework.

In this session, presenters will walk through the Arkansas development sequence, including collaboration among Virtual Arkansas, the Arkansas National Guard, and the Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education. Participants will learn how districts can provide access to students, either locally or through other avenues. We will review program requirements, credit structures, and implementation considerations so districts can determine the best fit for their context. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how this pathway supports informed student choice, workforce alignment, and equitable access across Arkansas schools.
Speakers
avatar for John Ashworth

John Ashworth

Executive Director & Superintendent, Virtual Arkansas
Mr. John Ashworth is the Superintendent and Executive Director of Virtual Arkansas, a State Virtual School (SVS) providing supplemental online course options to Arkansas schools. Mr. Ashworth spent eight years as a secondary science teacher and seven years as a building-level principal... Read More →
avatar for Paula McDougald

Paula McDougald

Lead Course Design Specialist, Virtual Arkansas
Paula McDougald joined Virtual Arkansas in 2015 as a high school math teacher and transitioned to the design department in 2018. Now the Assistant Director of Design and Development, she manages course design projects and oversees organizational branding. With 19 years in education... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

11:40am CDT

Integrating Core Academics into CTE: A professional reflection of Math Pathways in CTE
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
CTE is not separate from academics—it’s one of the most powerful ways to bring them to life. This panel explores how a school moved beyond isolated instruction to intentionally embed math, literacy, and science within Career and Technical Education. Participants will examine what meaningful integration looks like in practice and leave with strategies to strengthen rigor, increase relevance, and better prepare students for enlistment, enrollment, and employment.
Speakers
AM

Adam Musto

Director of Computer Science Education, Arkansas Department of Education
MM

Manesseh Moore

Alma School District
avatar for Ross White

Ross White

Education Divison Administrator, ADE - DCTE - Office of Leadership
Ross White, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), brings a wealth of CTE experience and knowledge to the division. Before serving as vice principal at Siloam Springs High School, a position he has held since July 2019, White was the director of the school’s CTE program... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

11:40am CDT

Supporting Accelerated Learning: Concurrent Credit
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Join the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as they share about implementation of concurrent credit to support accelerated learning opportunities for students and ensure graduates are success ready. This session will also include suggestions of topics that are critical to communicate to students and families to support them in making appropriate course selections aligned to their goals.
Speakers
avatar for Mason Campbell

Mason Campbell

Assistant Director for Policy and Student Success, Arkansas Division of Higher Education
avatar for Alisha Lewis

Alisha Lewis

Assistant Commissioner, Arkansas Division of Higher Education
Alisha Lewis began service to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education in March 2017 where she serves as the Associate Director of Communications.  Through Arkansas State Transformation, her role transitioned to Chief Communication Director for the new encompassing Department... Read More →
avatar for Krystal Nail

Krystal Nail

Director, Office of Accelerated Learning and Gifted Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Krystal Nail currently serves as the program director for the Office of Accelerated Learning and Gifted Education at the Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. With 20 years of experience in education in Arkansas, Krystal previously served... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
TBA

1:00pm CDT

Aligned for Impact: Building a Statewide System of Support Through ARTASC
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
This session highlights Arkansas's new statewide system designed to streamline how districts access support. Participants will be introduced to ARTASC (Arkansas Technical Assistance Support Center), a centralized platform launching in Fall 2026 to replace CIRCUIT and allow districts to request both team-based and student-specific supports, strengthening alignment, and coordination across services.
Speakers
avatar for Becky McIver

Becky McIver

State Improvement Plan Coordinator, Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
TBA

1:00pm CDT

AR State Parks: An Education Destination
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
The Natural State is elevating Arkansas’ presence in the outdoor recreation world, and growing our economy. As part of that strategy, aligning school field trips to State Parks with the Arkansas Outdoor Education Initiative is a perfect fit. Find out about our education opportunities and field trip grants that can cover trip costs.
Speakers
avatar for Kelly Farrell

Kelly Farrell

Education Program Supervisor, Arkansas State Parks
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

Equatio: The Math Engine That Refuses to Let Your District Spiral into Numerical Nonsense
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Get ready for a lively, hands‑on hour exploring Equatio, the digital math sidekick every Arkansas student already has in their toolkit. We’ll play with its most fun features, turn messy math into clean digital creations, and show how Equatio makes problem‑solving feel more like discovery than drudgery. You’ll leave with fresh ideas, classroom‑ready tricks, and maybe even a new favorite math button.
Speakers
avatar for Evan Beavers

Evan Beavers

AEM Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Education
Evan Beavers currently serves as the Accessible Educational Materials (AEM) Coordinator for the Special Education Division for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) for the state of Arkansas. Previously he served as the Technology Director for Vilonia Public... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

1:00pm CDT

Using Data Without Drowning in It: Monitoring HIT for Continuous Improvement
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
High-impact tutoring requires data—but not data overload. This session helps districts distinguish between required reporting data and the data that truly drives improvement. Participants will explore district examples of monitoring routines for attendance, dosage, and student progress, and learn how to use data to make timely instructional and programmatic adjustments within an integrated system rather than viewing data collection as a compliance task.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Counts

Amy Counts

Director of Curriculum Projects, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education
Since 2003, I have worked in K-12 education in Massachusetts, Texas, Maryland, and Arkansas. During that time, I have worked in both rural and urban school districts, teaching students in fifth to twelfth grade. In 2019, I joined the Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education... Read More →
Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
TBA
 
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