PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES 2026 - 2027

2026-11-03

● Grades 3 - 10 Alignment Professional Development in English Language Arts , Mathematics , and Science ○ 1 Full onsite day in June 2026 ○ 1 Full onsite day in January 2027 ■ Purpose : ● To ensure vertical alignment of academic standards across grades 3 – 10 in English Language Arts , Mathematics , and Science . Using the Arkansas Academic Standards and the ATLAS Academic Learning Descriptors , subject - area teams will analyze how standards progress across grade levels to improve instructional coherence , strengthen curriculum planning , and support student readiness for future coursework and assessments . ■ Expectations : ● Analyze the progression of standards from grades 3 through 10 in ELA , Mathematics , and Science . ● Identify vertical alignment and gaps in instructional expectations across grade levels . ● Ensure instructional practices and curriculum materials reflect the intended rigor and progression of state standards . ● Strengthen teacher understanding of how learning builds from one grade to the next . ● Support improved student outcomes by aligning instruction with state expectations . ● Review the Arkansas Academic Standards for grades 3 – 10 in ELA , Mathematics , and Science . ● Examine ATLAS Academic Learning Descriptors to determine expected student mastery and rigor levels . ● Compare current curriculum resources and pacing guides to the standards progression . ● Identify areas where curriculum adjustments may be necessary to better support alignment . ● Develop recommendations for instructional sequencing and emphasis . ■ Evaluation : Project success will be measured through : ● Completion of vertical alignment documentation across grades 3 – 10 . ● Increased teacher understanding of standards progression . ● Evidence of improved curriculum alignment with Arkansas standards . ● Implementation of aligned instructional practices . ● Guiding Coalition Development ○ 1 Full onsite day in July 2026 ○ 16 virtual follow up sessions ( approximately 1 to 1 . 5 hours each ) with District and Building Guiding Coalitions during the school year . ( 1 session per quarter with McGehee School District , 1 session per quarter with McGehee Elementary School , 1 session per quarter with Conner Middle School , and 1 session per quarter with McGehee High School ) ○ Purpose : ■ To establish and support school - based guiding coalitions that lead continuous improvement efforts , strengthen instructional practices , and support strategic district initiatives . Guiding coalitions will serve as collaborative leadership teams responsible for analyzing data , monitoring progress , and facilitating effective implementation of school improvement strategies . ○ Expectations : ■ Establish functional guiding coalitions in each participating school . ■ Build leadership capacity among teachers , administrators , and instructional staff . ■ Strengthen collaborative decision - making grounded in student performance data . ■ Align school improvement work with district priorities , state standards , and accountability expectations . ■ Ensure consistent implementation of improvement initiatives across grade levels and departments .

Arkansas

2026-03-27