School Support and Programs

Alternative Learning Environments
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Welcome to the Arkansas Department of Education Alternative Education section of ArkansasEd.org. The National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) and Mid Continent Comprehensive Center (MC3) have greatly assisted in the delivery of quality support while ensuring "no child is left behind." Alternative Learning Environments (ALEs) are part of the Learning Services division. Dr. Laura Bednar, Assistant Commissioner, Learning Services Division, strongly encourages the development of meaningful research-based intervention programs for Arkansas students.

Alternative Education continues to gain the attention of school districts in Arkansas, in the nation, and internationally. Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) deliver rigorous curriculum in innovative strategies to students that have been carefully selected for the extensive interventions provided in this nontraditional setting. Interlocking tiers of support are provided by all units within Arkansas Department of Education.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Arkansas Department of Education's Alternative Learning Environment team to provide the foundation and support for districts, schools, administrators, and teachers to educate students who need a non-traditional learning environment. Through collaboration, guidance, and assessment of programs, the ALE team works to ensure that students who require a non-traditional educational environment receive an education that will provide them the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be lifelong learners and productive citizens.

Documentation

Research-based techniques are the founding premise of non-traditional education initiatives.  As noted in the Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing the Distribution of Student Special Needs Funding and the Determination of Allowable Expenditure of Those Funds, documentation of services for Alternative Learning Environments are necessary.  As mandated in these rules, documentation of entry, exit, and specific service goals are imperative to demonstrate the innovative approach that educators use to meet the needs of diverse groups of students.

Reports To Be Submitted

State law requires that the Arkansas Department of Education submit a report annually to the state legislature. The data gathered from the annual report and program descriptions assist in developing information provided in that report. The Arkansas Public School Network and the ADE Data Center also provide data. The program description is due by March 31. The Annual Report is due by Aug. 20.

Standards and Quality Indicators

The Arkansas Department of Education Alternative Education Unit is dedicated to improving the quality of education for all at-risk students. In our quest to help improve the quality of alternative education, the team seeks out tools that can be used by schools and districts in assisting with designing and redeveloping their non-traditional education programs. The self-assessment tools provided on this page can be used to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the education programs for the most challenging and hardest-to-reach students.

Helpful Links and Resources

For more information, please contact:

Lori Lamb, Alternative Education Director
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services/ Special Programs
Greenwood School District
420 North Main St.
Greenwood, AR 72936
Phone: 479-996-4172
Fax: 479-996-4174

Dr. C.W. Gardenhire, ALE Program Advisor
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Learning Services/Special Programs
ASU - Beebe
P.O. Box 1000
England Center, Room 106
Beebe, AR 72012
Phone: 501-882-4498
Cell: 501-580-5660