ADE Summit 2026

School and district leaders balance competing priorities every day—often relying on child nutrition teams to keep students fed, focused, and ready to learn without adding to operational strain. This session highlights how strategic support for child nutrition programs can strengthen both student outcomes and district success.

Participants will learn how UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation (ICHI) has partnered with schools to enhance nutrition services through staff training, healthier food purchasing, student engagement, and operational guidance. We will also explore emerging opportunities through the Rural Health Transformation Grant, including expanded, no-cost support designed to build staff confidence, improve program sustainability, and navigate evolving requirements.

Attendees will gain insight into common challenges facing child nutrition programs, lessons learned from successful implementations, and practical resources—such as the UAMS CHEFS Toolkit—that can be used immediately in their districts. District leaders will also have the opportunity to consider future partnerships that support the whole child—academically, physically, and emotionally.

When schools Decide, Align, Teach, and Communicate with shared direction over time, access becomes more durable and less fragile. This session focuses on how sustained attention across these actions shapes students’ long‑term opportunity and post‑graduation readiness.

As writing expectations evolve and AI becomes part of the assessment landscape, districts are exploring innovative ways to strengthen writing instruction across all content areas. In this session, technology specialist from Jackson County School District will share their journey of implementing MagicSchool AI to support a district-wide Writing Across the Curriculum initiative. Participants will learn how the district partnered with curriculum leaders, piloted writing feedback tools, gathered teacher input, and scaled implementation to prepare students and educators for AI-assisted evaluation. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for leveraging AI to provide consistent feedback, increase writing opportunities, and improve student achievement across the HQIM curriculum and other content areas.

Step into the year with clarity and momentum. This session highlights practical strategies for leading school‑wide improvement efforts, building trust quickly, and identifying the right levers for early wins. Perfect for new district administrators ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.

TESS and LEADS support a continuous cycle of learning for educators and leaders throughout the observation and feedback process. This session will share updates of the Educator Effectiveness System regarding pre/post observations questions and a refined feedback protocol developed during the Calibration pilot and summer learning series

Step into the year with clarity and momentum. This session highlights practical strategies for leading district‑wide improvement efforts, building trust quickly, and identifying the right levers for early wins. Perfect for new district administrators ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.

This session will support district leaders and educators in strengthening family engagement to successfully implement 3^rd-Grade Promotion. Participants will explore effective practices, hear from a district demonstrating strong implementation, and reflect on Year 1 wins and challenges. The session will also focus on planning for Beginning-of-Year (BOY) rollout. Key topics include building trust with families and sharing literacy data effectively—such as communicating screener results, supporting Individual Reading Plans (IRPs), and using family-facing resources. Participants will leave with practical strategies and tools to support strong family partnerships and successful 3rd grade promotion outcomes.

If you are a new eSchool System Administrator, join us for an insightful session where we’ll provide an overview of key responsibilities, essential resources, and practical tips to help you and your district set a strong foundation for success.

How can thoughtful instructional design improve student learning outcomes?
This session provides an overview of the Science of Learning and explores how research-based instructional decisions can strengthen student understanding, retention, and transfer of knowledge. Participants will examine key terms, foundational research, and the cognitive principles that inform effective teaching practices.

In this session, participants will dig into what really sets fluency apart from automaticity and why that difference matters in the classroom. We’ll take a close look at fluency expectations and talk through the kinds of routines, practices, and structures that actually help fluency grow.

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!

Be sure to bring a lesson plan you would like to make AI-proof!

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.

New to administration? Learn what must be happening in your building to meet accreditation standards while maximizing student success. This session will cover essential requirements, creative RTI implementation, and strategies to make the most of your available time. How do you create a coherent system with the time available in your schedule? Lead your school with confidence and creativity.