Each member of the ADP Network has committed to a common policy agenda, but there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Highlights of this state's action plan are below. Click here to download a PDF of the complete plan.

Policies and Action Steps

1. Align high school standards and assessments with the knowledge and skills required for success after high school. (November 2005–September 2006)
   • Convene work group, including K–12 educators and administrators, postsecondary educators, legislators, business leaders, members of the Chamber of Commerce, and members of the state board to define the knowledge and skills students need to succeed in credit-bearing courses in Arkansas colleges and universities and in high-growth industries.
   • Conduct work sessions to develop standards.
   • Communicate standards to stakeholders.
   • Have the draft standards reviewed for rigor and for comparability with work from other states.
2. Require all high school graduates to take challenging courses that actually prepare them for life after high school. (November 2005–December 2006)
   • Apply adopted standards to high school frameworks and train K–12 educators in the process so they can conduct curriculum alignment of local content with the adopted standards.
   • Draft State Board rules and legislation as necessary to make core college- and work-ready curriculum required of all students.
   • Identify state policies and programs needed to support implementation of the new requirements, including professional development and curriculum resources.
   • Develop communications plan to inform and engage key stakeholders throughout the process.
3. Streamline the assessment system so that the tests students take in high school also can serve as readiness tests for college and work. (March 2006–December 2008)
   • Establish a Tier 2 testing and assessment advisory team, including individuals with assessment training and psychometric expertise.
   • Develop or adopt a system for assessing academic college and work readiness of all high school students. Investigate possible partnerships with other ADP Network states to develop common assessments and/or pool of test items.
   • Determine assessments to be given at the state level, including the type of test (end-of-course, end-of-grade or cumulative survey test) and the subjects to be tested.
   • Ensure alignment with Arkansas academic standards for college and work.
   • Develop plan for using new high school exams for college placement purposes where possible.
4. Hold high schools accountable for graduating students who are ready for college or careers, and hold postsecondary institutions accountable for students' success once enrolled. (December 2005–December 2008)
   • Revise existing accountability system to incorporate any additional assessments developed to determine college- or work-ready skills.
   • Extend existing K–12 data system to higher education to enable tracking of all students across K–12 and through higher education.

ADP Network Team