APSRC Bulletin
Stay informed with the latest updates and explore insightful articles.
Wishing Arkansas Students the Best During State Testing Week!
State testing is here, and we’re cheering on students and educators across Arkansas! See how schools are supporting their students—and check out a few helpful testing tips, too.
Register Now for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
Registration is now open for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat, taking place virtually June 17–19. Explore the schedule, register in Discere, and start planning your PD experience today.
Win Cash Prizes at the Spark Symposium!
Add even more excitement to your Spark Symposium 2025 experience with a chance to win cash prizes! Every attendee gets a raffle ticket, and you can earn more by visiting our incredible sponsors. The more tickets you collect, the better your chances of winning. Meet our amazing sponsors, explore their resources, and don’t forget to register—your chance to win starts with showing up!
APSRC Welcomes New Director of Finance!
Arkansas Leadership Academy Now Accepting Applications for 2025-2026 Cohort Programs!
Location & Lodging Information
The 2025 Spark Symposium is quickly approaching, and now is the perfect time to register and secure your lodging! Set for May 20th, 2025, at the Little Rock Statehouse Convention Center, this year’s event promises even more opportunities for interaction, engagement, and networking within the Charter School Community. With online registration closing on May 6th and room block reservations due by April 20th, be sure to act fast to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting event. Check out our venue details and lodging options at the Hilton Double Tree and Capital Hotel, and register today to spark new ideas and connections for growth!
Recognizing Contributions in the Charter School Community
APSRC is excited to honor the incredible contributions of charter schools, their leaders, and supporters who are making a difference. We are now accepting nominations for several awards that recognize innovation, growth, and dedication in the charter school community, including the Changemaker Award, Teacher of the Year, and Trailblazer Award. The deadline for submissions is April 20th, 2025. Submit your nominations today and help us celebrate those who are shaping the future of education!
Discover the Topics for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat!
The 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for June 17th-19th and get ready for three days of virtual professional learning designed to empower, align, and support your teaching. Each day focuses on different topics, including Empower, Align, Achieve, Supporting Special Populations, and It’s All About Instruction. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!
Countdown to Spark Symposium: Are You Ready to Engage?
The 2025 Spark Symposium is just two months away, and it promises to spark ideas, connection, and growth within the charter school community. Taking place on May 20th, 2025, the event offers an incredible opportunity to engage with key speakers, participate in customizable Spark Zones, and gain insights through discussions on important topics like student attitudes, legislative updates, and more. Don’t wait – online registration closes on May 6th! Secure your spot now to take advantage of exclusive benefits and avoid higher onsite registration costs.
Spark Zones: Customize Your Experience at Spark Symposium
At the 2025 Spark Symposium, we’re bringing you an exciting way to design your day with Spark Zones! This new format lets you customize your experience by choosing from a blend of roundtable discussions and breakout sessions based on your interests and professional needs. Whether you're looking to exchange ideas or dive into expert-led discussions, the choice is yours! Join us for an interactive, engaging experience where you can explore a variety of topics that matter most to you. Curious about resources for charter schools, teaching strategies, or the latest legal updates? We’ve got something for everyone.
Celebrating Outstanding Academic Growth in Arkansas Schools
At APSRC, we are excited to share the announcement of the 2024 OEP Growth Awards, recognizing Arkansas schools for their outstanding academic growth. These awards, presented by the Office of Educational Policy (OEP), spotlight schools focused on student academic progress, which is less influenced by demographics and more indicative of the impact schools have on their students' learning. This year’s awardees from elementary, middle, and high school levels are setting the bar high for academic excellence across the state.
Highlighting Academic Gains: Beating the Odds in Arkansas Schools
At APSRC, we celebrate the incredible progress made by high-poverty schools in Arkansas through the Beating the Odds awards. These schools are recognized for their impressive academic growth in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA), despite the challenges of serving students with higher academic risk factors. This year’s awardees from elementary, middle, and high school levels highlight the outstanding efforts of educators ensuring that financial challenges don’t hinder students’ learning opportunities.
Be Inspired by Principal Baruti Kafele— Spark25 Keynote Speaker
Get ready to be inspired by Principal Baruti Kafele, a renowned educator and transformational school leader, at the 2025 Spark Symposium. With over 35 years of experience, Principal Kafele will share his powerful insights on how to create positive change in your school, whether you're a teacher, administrator, or community member. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the most sought-after speakers in education today!
What's waiting for you at the 2025 Spark Symposium?
The 2025 Spark Symposium is packed with opportunities for growth and connection in the charter school community. From a powerful keynote by Principal Baruti Kafele to interactive breakout sessions and live legislative discussions, here's what you can look forward to at this year's event.
Introducing the Charter Leader Collective
The Charter Leader Collective (CLC) is here! APSRC’s new program offers Arkansas Charter Leaders a space to connect, collaborate, and grow. The first session, “Effective Instructional Walkthroughs,” will take place on March 7th, 2025. Register today!
APSRC Office Closure: February 18-19, 2025
APSRC offices are closed due to hazardous weather conditions across the state. The office will remain closed on February 19th, 2025, unless conditions improve. APSRC staff will operate remotely during this time.
Save the Date for the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat
APSRC is thrilled to announce the 2025 Summer Professional Learning Retreat, happening virtually from June 17th to 19th. This three-day event offers a flexible learning experience with sessions tailored to support your professional growth and student needs. All sessions are eligible for PD hours. Stay tuned for more details and make sure to join our mailing list to receive updates!
Joining Virtual or Hybrid Events in Discere
Joining virtual or hybrid events in Discere is simple! No Zoom links needed—log in, access the session page, and click the "Join" button 15 minutes before your event begins. Find out how to easily attend and ensure your attendance is properly recorded.
APSRC Announces the launch of the Financial Management System (FMS) Google Group
APSRC is proud to announce the launch of the Financial Management System (FMS) Google Group, following the decommissioning of the current DIS Listservs by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). This new platform is designed to continue fostering collaboration, discussion, and knowledge-sharing among finance professionals in the education sector. The APSRC FMS Google Group provides a space to connect, share insights, ask questions, and engage in meaningful conversations on finance-related topics.
Registration is now open for Spark25!
We’re thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Spark Symposium for Charter Schools! Join us on May 20th at the Statehouse Convention Center for a day filled with roundtable discussions, a legislative Q&A, an awards ceremony, and more. This year’s event promises to ignite ideas and foster growth within the charter school community. Don't miss out—visit the Spark website for more details about speakers, the full schedule, and breakout sessions!