Hutchinson to Speak at U of A Annual Conference for Educators, Policymakers

Courtesy of Governor's Office

Asa Hutchinson

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Gov. Asa Hutchinson will address educators and policymakers at a University of Arkansas-sponsored conference June 10 focused on student learning and assessment at Heifer International in Little Rock.

The Office for Education Policy and the Office of Innovation for Education, both based in the College of Education and Health Professions, are teaming up to provide stakeholders timely information regarding innovation in education, student learning and student assessments. The deadline to register for the conference is June 8. More information is available online.

Denise Airola, director of the Office of Innovation for Education, will share new and newsworthy innovations in education, and staff from the Springdale School of Innovation will address how they have changed what school means for their students. Staff from the Arkansas Department of Education will update attendees regarding English language learners in Arkansas as well as teacher and principal evaluation systems. A panel including Sen. Jim Hendren will discuss the impact of next-generation assessment, while teachers will share their perspectives on using assessment to support student learning.

“There are so many changes in Arkansas education right now that we wanted to provide an opportunity for policymakers and educators to hear up-to-date information about topics and have time to connect with each other to discuss,” said Gary Ritter, faculty director of the Office for Education Policy. “Too often, busy educators and policymakers don’t get to connect and think collaboratively about Arkansas students. We are excited to provide an opportunity for them to learn and work together.”

About the Office for Education Policy: The Office for Education Policy opened in the fall of 2003 to serve as a resource for state lawmakers, educators, administrators and other leaders, providing them with current national, state and regional research in education to support them in thoughtful decision-making concerning K-12 education in Arkansas. Its staff includes faculty members, research associates and graduate students who specialize in education research and policy.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.