ADE Summit 2026: Full Schedule

10:20am CDT

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

This session is tailored for NEW SIS Coordinators to provide an in-depth understanding of their responsibilities, available resources, communication importance, and to learn about the SIS system and the state reporting process.

Speakers

Reshmi Jose

IT Coordinator, Office of Information Technology

Jessica Bowman

APSCN User Support Coordinator, Arkansas Dept of Education

NEW SIS Coordinator 2026 Template PDF pdf

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Data

11:40am CDT

SIS Updates

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Room 209

SIS Coordinators! this session we will discuss the features of the state reporting system (SIS) and discuss how the features can be utliized in the state reporting process.

Speakers

Reshmi Jose

IT Coordinator, Office of Information Technology

Jeff Cantwell

System Administrator, ADE DESE

Statewide Information System

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Data

1:00pm CDT

FOIA & FERPA

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

Room 209

This session will offer a review of the law governing Arkansas Public Schools release of information as well as the law governing the meeting of a public governing body such as a school board. These subjects are primally governed by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Speakers

Daniel Shults

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Legal

2:20pm CDT

Using AI to Improve Student Outcomes

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

Room 209

Artificial intelligence is giving school and district leaders powerful new ways to make sense of assessment data and drive instructional improvement. In this practical, one-hour workshop, administrators from Harrison School District will share how a deliberately structured suite of AI tools can help evaluate assessments and instructional materials against Achievement Level Descriptors — all with the goal of improving assessment scores and accelerating student growth.
Critically, participants will see not just what Harrison School District is doing with AI, but how the district has built a responsible data governance framework around these tools — including how different AI platforms are assigned different roles based on their compliance posture, and how data is structured to minimize privacy exposure while maximizing instructional utility. Participants will leave with both instructional strategies and a replicable privacy framework they can bring back to their leadership teams right away.

Speakers

Debbie Wilson

Curriculum Instruction and Assessment, Harrison School District

Kevin Kaeser

7-12 Technology Facilitator, Harrison School District

I am the canvas administrator for my school district as well as a technology coach for grades 7-12.

Emily Barrett

Technology Facilitator, Harrison School District

ADE Summit 2026 Debbie Wilson pdf

ADE Summit 2026 Emily Barrett pdf

ADE Summit 2026 Kevin Kaeser pdf

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:20pm - 3:30pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, AI

3:40pm CDT

Turning Metrics into Momentum: Leveraging Lexile and Quantile Measures to Accelerate Student Success

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

Room 209

This session explores the Lexile Framework for Reading and the Quantile Framework for Mathematics as reported on the ATLAS exam and their practical applications across Arkansas. Participants will gain insights into how Lexile measures support literacy development and how Quantile measures support numeracy while aligning with state educational goals.
The session will highlight effective use of the free Hub tools and resources, showing how these measures can be applied directly in classrooms. Attendees will learn strategies to inform instruction, integrate Lexile and Quantile tools into lesson planning, goal setting, and differentiated assignments, and communicate results effectively with caregivers to promote family engagement.
Participants will leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies to enhance literacy and numeracy outcomes. Join us to deepen your understanding of the Lexile and Quantile Frameworks and empower your schools with tools that drive student success!

Speakers

JJ Walker

Assessment Specialist, DESE: PSA, Assessment Unit

I was a classroom teacher (mostly ELA) for 31 years before joining DESE 12 years ago. I have always worked in the Assessment unit and have helped train and administer three state assessments: PARCC, Aspire, and ATLAS. ATLAS 3-10 (reports, data, etc.) and communications (LiveBinders... Read More →

Julie Worden

Senior Director, State Partnerships, MetaMetrics

Leveraging Lexile and Quantile Measures pdf

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Assessment

10:20am CDT

Milestones: Navigating Licensure Updates, Pathways, and Progress Points

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

Room 209

As the educator landscape evolves, staying informed on certification requirements is essential for maintaining a stable and qualified workforce. This session provides a comprehensive look at recent licensure updates and the diverse pathways available for educators to achieve full certification.
We will analyze current unlicensed teacher data to identify critical gaps and introduce a strategic framework focused on preservice teacher completion. Attendees will explore specific progress points from initial entry and testing milestones to clinical experiences, including the year-long residency,designed to ensure candidates move successfully through the pipeline. Whether you are a district leader or a preparation provider, you will leave with actionable strategies to support educators in reaching full licensure.

Speakers

Dr. Matthew Sutherlin

Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Matthew Sutherlin brings over twenty-three years of experience in education, having served in both K–12 and higher education across four states. His career includes classroom teaching as well as leadership roles in higher education, where he has held positions such as Director... Read More →

Milestones Licensure Updates 2026 (Blended) (1) pdf

Science of Reading Proficiency Assessment (13) pdf

AR Educator Licensure Pathways One Pager pdf

Milestones Licensure Updates 2026 Key Takeaways Handout (1) pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Licensure

11:40am CDT

Prepping for Success: EPPs and Preventing Ethics Complaints

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

Room 209

This session will discuss Code of Ethics training and coursework as a part of educator preparation as well as other ways to prepare educators for success by preventing ethics complaints. Additionally, Capri Bell-Salaam, the 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, will present her research regarding the role educator preparation programs play in prevention.

Speakers

Whitney James

Capri Salaam

State Director of the Education Renewal Zones / 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Arkansas Department of Education

Prepping for Success EPPs and Preventing Ethics Complaints Copy of Summit Slideshow Template 2026 Google Slides pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Educator Effectiveness

1:00pm CDT

Every Day Counts: Leveraging the New Guidance Document to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

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

Room 209

Chronic absenteeism is more than an attendance issue—it is a leading indicator of student disengagement, academic risk, and long-term outcomes. In Every Day Counts, participants will explore why consistent attendance matters and how schools and districts can move from reactive responses to proactive, systems-based solutions. This session introduces the newly released guidance document and walks attendees through its key components, including prevention strategies, early warning indicators, tiered interventions, and collaborative practices that strengthen school-family partnerships.

Speakers

Dr. Roger C. Guevara

ERZ Director / Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, Southern Arkansas University

Reach out to me to discuss:1) Enhancing attendance and combating chronic absenteeism2) Doctoral program at Southern Arkansas University3) District-Level Educational Leadership4) Campus-Level Educational Leadership5) Arkansas Education Renewal Zones6) School Improvement Plans7) Your... Read More →

Capri Salaam

State Director of the Education Renewal Zones / 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Arkansas Department of Education

Chronic Absenteeism Summit Slideshow 2026 Google Slides pptx

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Student Support

2:20pm CDT

From Grant to Growth: What High-Impact Tutoring Looks Like in Practice

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

Room 209

High-impact tutoring is one of the most effective strategies for accelerating student learning—but only when implemented with intention. This session highlights how Arkansas districts are translating high-impact tutoring guidance into daily practice. Participants will explore real examples of scheduling, staffing, and instructional alignment, as well as lessons learned from early implementation. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what high-impact tutoring looks like in action and practical strategies for strengthening or launching their own programs.

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 →

Amy Hindsman

Data Specialist, Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

From Grant to Growth HIT Summit Final (3) pdf

From Grant to Growth HIT Participant Guide pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, High-Impact Tutoring

3:40pm CDT

Target Setting for the New IDEA Part B Package with MySPED and eSchool Resources.

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

Room 209

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.

Speakers

Becky McIver

State Improvement Plan Coordinator, Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Laura Goadrich

Director of IDEA Data and Research, Arkansas Department of Education

Office of Special Education

Summit Slideshow Presentation 2026 Target Setting.pptx pdf

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Data

10:20am CDT

Accelerating Student Success: Updates to Accelerated Learning in Arkansas

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

Room 209

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.

Presentation materials are available at https://bit.ly/44obiVw.

Speakers

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 →

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 →

Thursday July 16, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Accelerated Learning

11:40am CDT

Designed for All: Where HQIM and AT Converge

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Room 209

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

Dr. Amy Goddard

Educational Support and Related Services Specialist Coordinator, ADE-OSE

I love coffee, dark chocolate, gardening, riding horses, running with my dog, and being a mom to three awesome sons! I would like to chat about assistive technology, brain injury, aligning special education and related services, or anything related to supporting student needs.

Tabitha Riendeau

Arkansas Department of Education

Tabitha Riendeau serves as a State Education Advisor-Curriculum and Assessment for the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and previously held the position of State Education Advisor-Monitoring/Program Effectiveness at DESE. Riendeau brings nearly 16 years of Special... Read More →

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 →

Amanda Parker

OSE Summit 2026 Designed for All Where HQIM & AT Converge Google Slides (1) pdf

Thursday July 16, 2026 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 209 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

Aligned for Impact: Building a Statewide System of Support Through ARTASC

Thursday July 16, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 209

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