ADE Summit 2026: Full Schedule

10:20am CDT

Tuesday July 14, 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

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 →

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 →

Algebra 1 Readiness pdf

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Math

1:00pm CDT

Food Service Management Company Contracts and Federal Child Nutrition Programs

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 105

We will address what you should know about the FSMC procurement process and requirements.

Speakers

Nancy Dill

Public School Program Manager, DESE, Child Nutrition Unit

Registered Dietitian; BS University of Arkansas, Dietetic Internship University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, MS University of Central Arkansas. The world of Nutrition and Dietetics has taken me through various clinical settings and eventually to a place in the DESE, Child Nutrition... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Child Nutrition

2:20pm CDT

Title IX

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:20pm - 3:30pm CDT

Room 105

This session will review the federal law which ensure fair treatment between men and women in an educational environment. Key topics will include the requirements Title IX places on public school districts and the process a school district must engage in when a Title IX Compliant is filed.

Speakers

Alisha Price

Attorney, Arkansas Department of Education

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:20pm - 3:30pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Legal

3:40pm CDT

Coordinated School Safety: Incident Communication Protocols and Building Design Considerations

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

Room 105

This session will provide an overview of DESE’s School Safety Incident and Communication Protocol, explaining how Arkansas school districts, educational cooperatives, the Safe Schools Unit, and DESE leadership collaborate during school safety incidents and other significant events. Participants will learn how the tiered, bidirectional communication structure supports the clear, timely exchange of critical information and enables coordinated responses at the local, regional, and state levels.
In addition, the session will address key school safety building considerations, highlighting how facility design, access control, and emergency response features support incident prevention and mitigation. This portion of the presentation underscores how thoughtful planning and building design can strengthen physical security and enhance overall safety for students and staff.

Speakers

Jason Weatherly, PhD

Public Safety Supervisor / Expert, Arkansas Department of Education

An Arkansas native, Dr. Weatherly brings extensive expertise in school safety, emergency management, and facilities oversight to the Safe Schools Unit. His comprehensive training spans Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), CERT, school site assessments, emergency... Read More →

Summit 2026 SSU Incident Communication Protocols and Buidling Designs pdf

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, School Safety

10:20am CDT

Using Performance for Focused Improvement From Reflection to Results

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

Room 105

How leaders and boards use performance evidence to set priorities, monitor progress, and adjust early.
High performing schools use performance data to drive focus—not confusion. This session reframes the Annual School Performance Summary and Improvement Priorities as a leadership and governance tool, not a compliance requirement.
Participants will explore how effective schools translate reflection into clear priorities, measurable drivers, and leadership response rules that guide decisions throughout the year. Using an ADE model example, the session illustrates how boards and leaders can monitor progress, stay aligned, and adjust early to improve outcomes.

Speakers

Sarper Turker

Director of Charter Schools, Arkansas Department of Education

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Accountability

11:40am CDT

The Power of Practice: How Coaching Labs Elevate Math & Science Instruction

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Room 105

In this session, we’ll share compelling growth data from classrooms across the state, highlight the instructional shifts teachers are making through lab participation, and unpack what makes this model so effective. Whether you're looking to strengthen your own coaching practice, instructional practice or support growth in your school or district, you’ll walk away with a clear picture of how Coaching Labs work—and why you’ll want to be part of the next cohort.

Speakers

Kisa Morman

K-12 Math Program Manager, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education

Katie Chacon

Science Program Manager, Arkansas Department of Education

Katie Chacon obtained a bachelors degree from Hendrix College in Environmental Studies, a masters degree in Middle Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, and an Education Specialist degree from Arkansas State University. She taught middle school science for... Read More →

Sarabecca Mgalle

Takeeta Funchess

The Power of Practice Coaching Labs Summit Session Math Science pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Math, Science

1:00pm CDT

Bridging State and National Expectations: Arkansas's AI Alignment Study with NAEP

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 105

This session highlights Arkansas’s AI-supported alignment study comparing Arkansas Academic Standards with the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) frameworks, conducted in partnership with Prometrics. Holly Morado, NAEP State Coordinator, along with Kisa Morman and Amber Pirnique from Learning Services will walk participants through the alignment process, including how artificial intelligence was used to examine content coverage, cognitive demand, and progression across grade levels. The session will identify where Arkansas standards show strong alignment with NAEP, discuss the importance of alignment for understanding national assessment results, and explore how these findings can inform curriculum decisions and classroom instruction. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how standards alignment supports instructional rigor and helps ensure students are prepared for both state and national expectations.

Speakers

Kisa Morman

K-12 Math Program Manager, Arkansas Division of Elementary & Secondary Education

Holly Morado

NAEP State Coordinator, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education - Public School Accountability

Amber Pirnique

DIrector of Special Projects, Arkansas Department of Education

Amber Pirnique serves as Director of Special Projects for the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), leading priority, cross‑agency initiatives that advance statewide goals in literacy, coaching, and system support. Her portfolio includes The Writing Revolution... Read More →

NAEP & ADE 2026 Summit Presentations pptx

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Assessment

2:20pm CDT

Healthy Students, Higher Achievement: Leveraging School Health Data for Classroom Success

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

Room 105

This session will provide an overview of the current health status of Arkansas public school students and highlight how districts can leverage key data sources, including the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), School Health Profiles, and Medicaid in the Schools reporting, to identify emerging needs and inform strategic decision-making.

Speakers

Dana Bennett, RN

Assistant Director, Medicaid In The Schools, DESE

As always, we have some great swag, so come by and see us and let us talk to you about your Medicaid funds, and how we can help you! As part of the School Health Services Unit at DESE, we are here to serve you at no charge. Please take advantage of our knowledge and expertise. MISSION... Read More →

Cheria McDonald, APRN

State School Nurse Consultant, DESE/ADE

Cheria McDonald has been a nurse for 34 years graduating from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas and with her MSN in nursing education and Post-Master's in FNP from AState in Jonesboro. For the last 20 years she has been in the education setting. She was a school... Read More →

Taylor James

CDC Surveillance Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Education

Taylor James is the CDC Surveillance Coordinator at the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE/DESE), where he has served since 2024. In this role, Taylor supports two CDC‑funded programs—the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), administered in odd‑numbered years, and School Health... Read More →

Healthy Students, Higher Achievement Leveraging School Health Data for Classroom Success pptx

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Student Support

3:40pm CDT

AI Playbook: From Awareness to Action

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

Room 105

AI is already in your classrooms, now what? This session breaks down what artificial intelligence really is, how it’s reshaping instruction and leadership, and what AI literacy must include at every level of a school system. Participants will explore real-world implications for academic integrity, instructional practice, and district policy, then walk away with practical steps schools can take this year to move from reactive conversations to intentional implementation. Leave with clarity, confidence, and a ready-to-use framework for AI-ready schools.

Speakers

Dr. Rainbow Bagsby, Ph.D.

UX Design Specialist, Virtual Arkansas

Rainbow Bagsby is the UX Design Specialist at Virtual Arkansas (VA) with 13 years of experience in online education. At Virtual Arkansas, Rainbow has designed and developed numerous courses and project managed the creation of the Department of Career and Technical Education’s Blended... Read More →

Candice McPherson

Director of Design and Development, Virtual Arkansas

Candice McPherson is the Director of Design and Development at Virtual Arkansas. Her role includes project management, quality control, and implementation support for course content. She has served on a variety of teams and committees devoted to improving online learning experiences... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, AI

10:20am CDT

Buying Outcomes, Not Services: High-Impact Tutoring Contracts That Deliver Results

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

Room 105

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

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 →

Meghan Thompson Busbey

Senior Director, Programs, Forward Arkansas

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 →

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 world languages, social studies, community service learning, Arkansas Celebrates America250, the Arkansas Literacy Tutoring Grant, and the High Impact Tutoring... Read More →

Jasmine Walker

Managing Director, The Center for Outcomes Based

Jasmine Walker serves as Managing Director of the Center for Outcomes Based Contracting at the Southern Education Foundation. In this role, she leads the Center's programmatic portfolio and strategic partnerships, overseeing cohort programs, district engagement, and the Center's national... Read More →

Buying Outcomes, Not Services.pptx (3) pdf

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, High-Impact Tutoring

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

Room 105

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

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 →

ADE Summit Equatio pptx

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 105 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Math

10:20am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:20pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

10:20am CDT

11:40am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:20pm CDT

3:40pm CDT

10:20am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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