ADE Summit 2026

Work-Based Learning (WBL) is a critical bridge between education and the workforce—but understanding how it is structured and recognized in Arkansas is key to scaling its impact. This panel session will explore the continuum of WBL opportunities in the secondary setting, including Internships, Career Practicum, Pre-Apprenticeships, and Youth Apprenticeships. Hear directly from educators, leaders, and industry partners as they share how these experiences are implemented, aligned to pathways, and designed to build durable skills. Participants will leave with greater clarity and practical insights to strengthen and expand WBL in their own contexts.

College and career advising plays a critical role in helping students navigate pathways, make informed decisions, and prepare for life after high school. This session will provide a clear look at Arkansas’ two primary college and career advising models—rootEd and DCTE—highlighting their unique focuses, impact data, and how they support students in different ways. Participants will gain clarity on how each model functions and leave better equipped to determine the right approach to meet the needs of their students and strengthen college and career advising systems

This session will highlight the importance of early career exploration for students in grades 5–8 and how intentional exposure to careers helps students make informed decisions about their future pathways. Participants will explore strategies outlined in the Career Readiness Guidebook that support building students’ awareness, exploration, and understanding of career opportunities and high school pathways. The session will emphasize how early engagement helps students connect their interests and strengths to future pathways that can ultimately lead to the designation of a Success Ready Graduate.

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.

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.

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.