NEWSFLASH

NEWS FLASH

HOPE EDUCATOR JOINS PLSB

The State Board of Education approved Hope educator Hosea Born to serve on the Arkansas Professional Licensure Standards Board.

Hosea was selected to replace retired K-12 AEA member, Lillian Hemphill. He joins other AEA members on the PLSB representing the professional interests of K-12 educators: Brenda Brown (Helena-West Helena), Kathy Howell (Clarksville), and Cindy Nations (Conway). Doretta Griffin, an administrative member from Hamburg, AR also serves on the PLSB representing administrators.

AEA is proud that five of our members serve on this state appointed Board that was created in 2007. While the PLSB is most known for the establishment of a code of ethics for administrators and teachers, they also developed the minimum college level preparatory and GPA requirements for all teachers.

In this capacity, they review the audits of teacher education programs throughout the state and determine if the programs allow graduates to become licensed. Following licensure, the Board will follow procedures to consider/investigate complaints regarding unethical behavior of licensed school personnel. It is so important that educators continue to be part of the PLSB,” said AEA President Carol Fleming. “We are the experts in education and will ensure the integrity of our profession is held accountable.

VIRUS FORCES ARKANSAS SCHOOL CLOSURES

Arkansas schools closed a week before Spring Break as the coronavirus pandemic was confirmed to be spreading in Arkansas. Although the original closures were temporary, by early April, as the virus continued to spread, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced schools would remain closed to on-site instruction through the end of the school year. On March 12, Hutchinson announced all public schools in Pulaski, Jefferson, Saline and Grant counties would be closed for on-site instruction through March 30th in an “abundance of caution.” Just days later, on Sunday, March 15th, the Governor authorized individual school district superintendents statewide the option to close schools for in person instruction on Monday, March 16, with a state wide forced closure running that Tuesday through Spring Break. By the following Thursday, the closures were extended through April 17th. The first confirmed case was in Jefferson County, but the patient had contact with multiple medical professionals and students. The decision to close schools was made in consultation with the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Department of Health after 5 more people tested positive for the virus. Secretary of the Department of Health Dr. Nathaniel Smith said those patients had some contact with school-aged children, and the closures were ordered to “interrupt any cycles of transmission.” The virus can be transmitted before symptoms are present, making containment especially difficult. By Monday morning, the total jumped to 22, with officials warning increased testing would likely reveal much higher numbers over the coming week. At Pine Bluff High School, students were excitedly talking about the closure shortly after it was announced. Administration distributed information for “Alternative Methods of Instruction,” which gives students lessons to complete at home. State law allowed schools to use up to 10 AMI days during a school year to avoid extending the school year due to inclement weather, infectious disease outbreaks or utility breakdowns. However, as the closures extended, the limit was waived and the Department of Education began offering guidance to districts on developing new content, even offering daily lessons on PBS. In an effort to address students experiencing food insecurity, the State of Arkansas applied for a child nutrition waiver from the USDA to allow for greater food distribution options. Districts across the state set up programs to provide “Grab and Go” meals, and some even delivered food using school buses. “Each public school employee plays a critically important role in keeping our students safe, healthy, fed and supported,” said AEA President Carol Fleming said upon hearing of the closures. “We must not forget the uncertainty and hardship these closures bring to our students and educators. We encourage our school districts to keep health and safety top of mind while we all work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”