Asked & Answered

Dr. Karla Neathery, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

The question was, “Is the Retention and Recruitment Plan now included in the AR App?" The answer is: Yes. Each year, districts plan for how to improve student learning in the coming year. This process involves reviewing student achievement data, establishing priorities, and building a budget aligned to those priorities. In an effort to support Arkansas school districts in planning, budgeting, and applying for state and federal funding, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has consolidated the planning process for 17 applications. The AR App will replace 8 grants and 9 applications, fulfilling the federal requirement for ESSA plans as well as planning required in Arkansas statute.

The grants that will be included in the AR App for districts are:

ESSA

• Title I Part A

• Title I Part C (Migrant)

• Title I Part D Subpart 2

• Title II

• Title III

• Title IV

• Title V

IDEA

The plans that will be included in the AR App for districts are:

• Enhanced Student Achievement

• English Learner State Plan

• Health and Wellness Plan

• Retention and Recruitment Plan

• Alternate Learning Plan

• Gifted and Talented Application

• Family and Community Engagement Plan

• District Literacy Support Plan (Act 1082)

• District Plan of Support-School level improvement plans from individual schools in a district are submitted to develop a district support plan, which includes goals for literacy. (6-15-2914)

The following grants that will not be included in the AR App for districts are Carl Perkins, McKinney Vento, CLSD-optional, Child Nutrition, and 21st CCLC-optional. The school plans that will not be included in the AR App are Title 1 1003 (school level), School Improvement Plans and Counseling Plan (school level). An overview of the AR App is available here.

If you have questions for Dr. Neathery, email her at k.neathery@theaaea.org .