We are reminded this Thanksgiving season how grateful we are.  ASTA/AAE is the fastest growing education association in Arkansas and is a strong voice for teachers and other education professionals.  We are thankful and blessed to serve you.  Have a blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy this Thanksgiving recipe!

 

"Blessings Mix"

• 2 cups Bugles: Shaped like horns of plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
• 2 cups Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by our founders.
• 1 cup Raisins: Harvest gifts from our bountiful land.
• 1 cup nuts: Promise of a future harvest reaped only if planted and tended. (allergy alert)
• 1 cup Candy Corn: A symbol of the Wampamoag people, our Native friends who shared their knowledge of planting with the Pilgrims, saving many lives.
• 1 cup M @ M's: Memories of those who came before us and still bless our lives.
• Chocolate Kisses: Love of family and friends that sweeten our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving from your Arkansas ASTA/AAE Staff -

Michele, Shanna, Margaret, Alli & Ronnie

Next Steps for Public School Employee (PSE) Insurance Program

As you may know by now, ASTA was critical part of a successful coalition that has started the process of reducing PSE health insurance premiums and restructuring the PSE program.  

ASTA's official response to the health insurance victory can be read here.  

Click here to read Senator Jason Rapert's letter thanking ASTA for their input and support regarding the insurance program.

As of this writing, legislative appointees have been made to the newly formed Insurance Task Force.  Senate President Michael Lamoureux has named four lawmakers, as well as speaker of the Arkansas House, Rep. Davy Carter.

ASTA is committed to keeping its members informed as potential solutions are discussed and decisions made.  We encourage all members to stay informed and in touch with their legislators.

Finally, we would like to express deep appreciation to our legislators and the Governor for taking immediate action on this issue and making the commitment to reform the program.

 

The Interdisciplinary PhD in Leadership program (Leaders Engaging in Arkansans' Development--LEAD), the only degree program of its kind in Arkansas and unique to this region of the United States, seeks applicants for the 2014-2015 cohort. 

The application deadline is April 1, 2014. Applications are now being accepted.

LEAD prepares scholar leaders to research and act for the common good. Recognizing that complex challenges require an integration of responsible leaders from various community sectors, program graduates will transform education government, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen human and community capabilities.

Information about the LEAD program can be found at here.

If you need further details,contact the LEAD program at phdleadership@uca.edu or (501) 852-0912.

You may also reach program director Dr. Rhonda McClellan at rmcclellan@uca.edu.

 

Attend the Arkansas Public School Resource Center's Fall Conference

We want to encourage you to attend the Arkansas Public School Resource Center's (APSRC) Fall Conference on November 12th.

 

You will not want to miss this chance to learn from an international expert on formative assessment and have a presence with key legislators discussing education.

APSRC is honored to have Dylan William present at the Fall Conference.  He is an international expert on formative assessment.  As we all know, formative assessment is a critical piece of a successful classroom.  Since Next Generation begins with PARCC next year, it is important that we develop our skills around formative assessment. Summaries of his keynote and breakout sessions are located here on the ASTA blog.

Also, you will not want to miss the legislative panel discussions.  We heard from many of our members that one of the critical lessons learned from the health insurance reform effort was the need for educators to have a strong presence with legislators.  This will be an opportunity to interact with and hear from legislators regarding key education issues.

At the very least, we encourage all schools to send at least one person to this event.

This will be some of the best information about formal assessment, as it relates to PARCC, locally available to Arkansas educators.

Click here to register for this exciting event.

 

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