High-Quality Instructional Materials, Part Four: Ongoing Implementation Support for Leaders

In order for school districts to see the results they wish to achieve with their high-quality instructional materials, it is important that they faithfully implement the curriculum over a long period of time. In this fourth and final course from the High-Quality Instructional Materials series, hosts Christina Muñoz and Alyson Courtney sit down with leaders in education from the Arkansas Department of Education and other organizations throughout the nation to discuss how to best educate and support school leaders so that they can understand the purpose and structure of the district's curriculum, as well as provide teachers the kind of support that will lead to long-term implementation. In addition, viewers will hear from leaders at two Arkansas school districts as they share what their years-long implementation journey has been like and what lessons they have learned along the way. 

High-Quality Instructional Materials, Part Three: Ongoing Support for Teachers

How can schools keep high-quality instructional materials working well long after they’re adopted? This course dives into how teachers and leaders can get the ongoing support they need to use their materials effectively. You’ll hear from experts and Arkansas district teams on practical ways to align curriculum with professional learning, use data to guide instruction, collaborate across schools, and keep teaching strong year after year. The course will also cover how to tailor training to different teacher needs, build sustainable systems of support, and make sure students benefit from high-quality instruction in every classroom.

High-Quality Instructional Materials, Part Two: Initial Implementation

After the adoption of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM), schools face the task of implementing it. Change can be difficult, so in this second course from the High-Quality Instructional Material series, hosts Christina Muñoz and Alyson Courtney sit down with leaders in education from the Arkansas Department of Education and other organizations throughout the nation to discuss the benefits of implementation and how district and school leaders can be a force in that change. Additionally, leaders from Jonesboro Public Schools share their experience of the implementation of HQIM in their schools.  

High-Quality Instructional Materials, Part One: Introduction, Background, and Adoption

What counts as high-quality instructional material? Why is it important for schools to adopt high-quality materials? Get the answers to these questions and more in the first of four courses dedicated to helping districts adopt and implement instructional resources that will lead to the academic gains they want to see in their student population. This course is designed to inform educators who are in the very beginning process of adopting or considering the adoption of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).  

Moments That Matter: Identifying and Responding to Signs of Child Maltreatment

In state fiscal year 2024, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline received nearly 65,000 reports of suspected child maltreatment. Of those reports, 29,616 were accepted for investigation based on the information provided, and those investigations revealed that 6,619 children were the victims of various forms of maltreatment. These staggering numbers point to the importance of recognizing signs of child maltreatment and knowing what to do once suspicions arise. 

In Arkansas, by far the most common forms of maltreatment are neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, with 66% of the victim children found to be subject to neglect, 21% found to be subject to physical abuse, and 21% found to be subject to sexual abuse. These percentages, of course, add up to over one hundred, showing that it is not uncommon for children to be subjected to more than one form of maltreatment at a time. 

By following the stories of two students and listening to a panel of child protection specialists weigh in on these fictional, yet realistic situations, participants will learn the physical and behavioral warning signs that often accompany these most common forms of child maltreatment.  Participants will also learn of their legal responsibilities as mandated reporters and how they can best support students who are ready to disclose maltreatment. 

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

Human Trafficking: Who Are the Traffickers?

This course on human trafficking equips educators with essential knowledge to identify and respond to trafficking situations. It begins with an overview of human trafficking, defining it and distinguishing it from human smuggling, while highlighting its prevalence in places like Arkansas. The course emphasizes recognizing warning signs and outlines educators’ responsibilities in reporting suspected cases. It also delves into the complexities of trafficking, explaining that traffickers can be anyone, including family members, and explores various recruitment methods and stages of grooming and control. Finally, insights from experts provide a deeper understanding of traffickers’ operations and what educators should look for in their classrooms.

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

Building Resilient Classrooms: Recognizing and Responding to Bullying

Credit Hours: 2.0

Vendor: IDEAS

Bullying remains a significant concern in schools, affecting students' well-being and academic success. According to the Arkansas Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 16% of students reported being bullied on school campuses in 2021, and 18.4% experienced cyberbullying. While these numbers have remained steady or declined slightly, the issue persists and requires proactive intervention. This professional development course is designed to equip educators and school staff with the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying effectively. Guided by the Arkansas Department of Education’s “Guidance on Bullying Prevention," participants will explore strategies to foster a safe and supportive learning environment.

Through interactive lessons and engaging video instruction hosted by Chris Kane, this course will cover how to recognize the signs of bullying and cyberbullying, understand school responsibilities in prevention, reporting, and response, and implement practical, school-wide bullying prevention strategies. Educators will also learn how to encourage collaboration among students, families, and school staff to create a united approach to bullying prevention. By the end of this course, participants will be better prepared to take an active role in ensuring that all students feel safe and supported in their school community.

Let's Talk About Mental Health: Building Strong Relationships for Student Well-Being

Credit Hours: 2.0

Vendor: ADE

The American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations have recently declared that our need for mental health support has reached a crisis level. In the United States, emergency department visits for mental health emergencies, including suicide attempts, have been on the rise.  

Educators' responsibilities extend beyond teaching content. They play a crucial role in fostering a supportive environment where students' mental well-being can thrive. Because teachers see students every day, they are in the unique position of being able to advocate for students’ mental health needs.

In this course, teachers will explore practical strategies and insights to effectively recognize, understand, and respond to the mental health needs of their students. The goal of this course is to help teachers create classrooms where every student feels seen, heard, and supported, and to help recognize when a student might need to be directed toward mental health resources, including professional help.

This course meets the mental health component of ACA 6-17-708.

The Writing Revolution

Although educators know the importance of being able to write well, many teachers admittedly feel ill-prepared to effectively teach this skill to their students. In this brief overview, participants will hear from Dr. Dina Zoleo and Dr. Toni-Ann Vroom, as they present an introduction to the Hochman Method, created by Judith Hochman, founder of The Writing Revolution (TWR). 

The Hochman Method consists of a series of explicitly taught, evidence-based strategies that can be used across grade levels and subject areas to help students produce clear, unified, and structured writing. While this overview does not teach the components of the Hochman Method, it does address the importance of having a solid plan for teaching the skill of writing. The Writing Revolution recommends that educators intending to implement the Hochman Method enroll in and complete an introductory course to learn the method in its entirety.

After viewing this introductory overview, those who are interested in participating in a full TWR training should visit the Arkansas & TWR page linked at the bottom of this course under "Instructional Resources." There, educators can find more information about enrolling in a TWR course. 

Keeping Them in Play

Arkansas coaches and trainers have a profound impact on student athletes, and they have the privilege to coach and impact the lives of our student athletes. The responsibility to care for and look after the safety of students is one that should not be taken lightly. This course will serve to educate and instruct coaches and trainers on the best practices of caring for players’ safety. This course will provide guidance and instruction in the areas of communicable diseases, heat illnesses, concussions and head injuries, and sudden cardiac arrests.  In previous years, the courses for coaches were given at different times, but this course will combine all four areas for a more succinct approach to providing Arkansas coaches with the information necessary to better serve student athletes. 

This course meets the training requirements for coaches as set forth in ACA 6-18-708 and in support of ACA 6-18-710. This course also meets the training requirements for coaches related to understanding the warning signs, recognition, and management of sudden cardiac arrest as set forth in ACA 6-18-713.