The Arkansas Department of Education recently named Lake Hamilton Intermediate School to the third cohort selected for the Professional Learning Communities at Work project.
Lake Hamilton, along with nine other schools and one district in the state, were selected for the 2019-2020 school year, according to an ADE news release.
Oaklawn Visual and Performing Arts Magnet was named to the second cohort, which began implementation of Professional Learning Communities in the 2018-19 school year.
Each Arkansas PLC site is matched with a certified PLC at Work associate from Solution Tree, a provider of education professional development, and receives intensive on-site support as they implement the PLC at Work process, according to the ADE's website.
"Each school will create action plans that focus on increasing student achievement through aligned curriculum, formative assessment practices, and proven instructional strategies," it says.
Each school and district named to the list will be provided with up to 50 days of training, coaching, and support to encourage collaboration and better student learning, the news release said.
Schools' applications were evaluated by a panel of education professionals.
Along with Lake Hamilton Intermediate School, the ADE also selected Buffalo Island Central School District, Camden Fairview Intermediate in the Camden Fairview School District, Darby Junior High in the Fort Smith School District, Eureka Springs Elementary in the Eureka Springs School District, Harrisburg Middle School in the Harrisburg School District, Mabelvale Elementary in the Little Rock School District, Mills University Studies High School in the Pulaski County Special School District, Park Avenue Elementary in the Stuttgart School District, Pinewood Elementary in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, Wonderview Elementary in the Wonderview School District, to be given assistance from Solution Tree.
"I am proud of the schools and district selected to join the PLC at Work project this year," Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in the release.
"Each year, this project yields fruit by providing educators with more tools to support our students and enhancing student-focused education. I look forward to seeing great things from the third group of schools selected to take part in this initiative," Hutchinson said.
In the second year of the program, the schools and district will "deepen their understanding and focus on implementing multitiered systems of support, followed by strengthening their systems and sustaining the process in year three," the release said.
"We are extremely pleased with the success of this project, now in its third year," ADE Commissioner Johnny Key said in the release.
"From increased student growth and achievement to improved collaboration and culture, the PLC at Work process is a model for success here in Arkansas. We are confident that those selected for the third cohort will achieve the same results. Through programs like this, we are leading the nation in student-focused education."
"All of us at Solution Tree are delighted to see the accomplishments and progress of the first and second cohorts of schools and welcome the third cohort to our ongoing collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education," Solution Tree President and COO Ed Ackerman said in the release.
"We look forward to continuing our mission of helping Arkansas' educators and students alike benefit from the transformative process of implementing professional learning communities in schools across the state."
Local on 05/01/2019