Disciplinary Literacy in English Language Arts: Rhetorical Analysis

English as a discipline is often characterized as concerned only with reading and writing about literature, poetry, and fiction.  These genres are important, but the discipline also addresses other specific areas of language study, including the keen analysis of structure in spoken and written texts. This course focuses on the teaching of rhetorical analysis. Through videos, Annenberg Learner shows a master teacher as he creates a low-risk environment for his tenth-grade students as they practice advanced argumentation skills. ArkansasIDEAS expands the lesson with a multimedia presentation on the Toulmin model of argumentation.

Disciplinary Literacy in English Language Arts - Teaching Complex Texts

Even students who have developed capable reading skills in the early years may not be equipped with the skills and confidence they need to tackle the complex English language arts texts and tasks they are given in middle and high school. Through Annenberg Learner videos, ArkansasIDEAS showcases the work of three teachers who use disciplinary literacy practices to move students to sophisticated levels of reading and analysis. Viewers observe teaching techniques for helping students build new vocabulary, compare character traits, gather text evidence, and think critically about abstract concepts such as justice and freedom. An excerpt from Deeper Reading by Kelly Gallagher (Stenhouse, 2004) highlights additional classroom strategies.

Academic Literacy Instructions for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction

Welcome to Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction. This course consists of 4 modules that provide an overview of the introduction and key recommendations found in the document Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction. It is designed for literacy specialists, particularly those working at the national level or with states to improve educational policy and practice in the area of adolescent literacy. It assumes more than a beginning level of familiarity with literacy and literacy concepts.

Bringing Literacy Strategies to Content Instruction: Professional Learning for Secondary-Level Teachers

Welcome to Bringing Literacy Strategies into Content Instruction: Professional Learning for Secondary-Level Teachers. This self-paced online course is a series of four modules based on the guide Bringing Literacy Strategies into Content Instruction: Professional Learning for Secondary-Level Teachers. 

Bullying: Separating Fact from Fiction

By the end of this course, learners will be able to define the principal elements of bullying and cyberbullying behavior, describe the impact of bullying on the health and well-being of young people, and recognize the role of teachers and educational professionals in bullying prevention. This course also dispels many myths about bullying and focuses on intervention and prevention and what educators can do to help.

This course features Dr. Joseph Wright of Howard University College of Medicine, who led this in-service training on May 24, 2016 at Lonoke High School in Lonoke, AR.

This course meets the anti-bullying training requirements of ACA 6-17-711.

Human Trafficking: Arkansas Code § 6-17-710 - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign

Whether it is through forced labor or sexual exploitation, human trafficking remains an issue in our society. As licensed professionals and other school officials, we are uniquely positioned to recognize when a student may have been exploited by another individual. This course features video segments from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign, which uses dramatizations to advocate for a general awareness of human trafficking and its indicators. An explanation of the reporting guidelines for mandated reporters in Arkansas is also provided.

This course meets the human trafficking professional development requirements of ACA 6-17-710.

Human Trafficking: Arkansas Code § 6-17-710 - Arkansas Cases

Teachers and other school faculty members are uniquely positioned to recognize when a student may have been exploited and trafficked for something of monetary value, and Arkansas is not immune to this form of modern-day slavery. This course features descriptions of Arkansas trafficking cases as told by Homeland Security Special Agent Jeffrey Pryor and Louise Allison and Casonia Vinson, the director and outreach coordinator for the victim advocacy organization, PATH. An explanation of the reporting guidelines for mandated reporters in Arkansas is also provided.

This course meets the human trafficking professional development requirements of ACA 6-17-710.

Human Trafficking: Arkansas Code § 6-17-710 - Inside Arkansas Schools

Each year, as many as 100,000–300,000 American children are at risk of being trafficked for commercial sex in the United States. Many of those potential victims are students in the school system. No community—urban or rural—school, socioeconomic group, or student demographic is immune. This course features video segments of those on the front lines in our schools, much like you and your colleagues, who are playing crucial roles in the lives of students.

This course meets the human trafficking professional development requirements of ACA 6-17-710.

Be the Reason: The Educator's Role in Combating Child Maltreatment

Laws have evolved along with awareness of human rights, including the rights of minors, with increased protections for children and youth from harmful situations. Often children may not be able to put their experiences into words, or may not know they deserve safety and the fulfillment of basic human needs. Children may rely on adults outside the family to stand up for them. This is where educators and school personnel serve a vital role in our society: to watch over and shield our children and youth.

In this course, Sherry Williamson, Child Abuse Project Coordinator at the Arkansas Commission on Child Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence, shares personal stories and professional insights that compel Arkansas educators and school staff to move beyond the discomfort that comes with facing hard realities. This fully narrated and interactive training features scenarios drawn from real-life experiences. We glean first-hand insights from Arkansas leaders who work to combat crimes against children. Armed with awareness, knowledge, and a sense of higher purpose, Arkansas educators and school personnel can be resolved in in their convictions to “be the reason” children, youth, and families survive and thrive.

This course meets the child maltreatment mandated reporter training requirements of ACA 6-61-133.

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse

Only a small percentage of students actively disclose abuse. The goal of this course is to combat that by fostering an understanding of the process for disclosure and the ways in which a child might disclose abuse. Janice McCutcheon-Beaver, Director of the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center, and Kathy Helpenstill, Forensic Interviewer at the White County Children's Safety Center, co-present detailed information on the stages of disclosure, considerations for talking to a child, and the many ways in which a reporter can maintain open and honest communication during disclosure.

This course was taped on March 20, 2015 at the AETN studios in Conway, Arkansas.