Education experts will share information about different models of education, school choice programs and upcoming legislation during The Reform Alliance’s free Virtual Town Hall from 7:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28. The event will be streamed live on The Reform Alliance’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/arreformalliance).
Cara Candall, director of education opportunity at ExcelinEd, will moderate the event. A former classroom teacher, Candall has spent the last 10 years working in education policy as a senior fellow with both Pioneer Institute and the Center for Education Reform. She has a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.
The following individuals will be panelists:
  • Corey DeAngelis is the director of school choice at Reason Foundation, the executive director at Educational Freedom Institute and an adjunct scholar at Cato Institute. He holds a doctorate in education policy.
  • Jherrithan Dukes is principal of Friendship Aspire Academy Public Charter School in Pine Bluff. He holds a master’s degree in educational administration. Prior to his work at Friendship Aspire, he taught in the Little Rock School District and served as assistant principal at eStem Public Charter Schools in Little Rock.
  • Sarah McKenzie is the executive director of the Office for Education Policy and an assistant research professor in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. She holds a doctorate in educational statistics and research methods.
  • Cheri Stevenson is the director of academy and adult services at ACCESS®, a nonprofit in Little Rock providing evaluations, therapy services, full-time education, vocational training, community integration, mental health services and more for individuals with special needs. She has a master’s degree in communication disorders.
“The moderator and panelists have a wealth of knowledge about different facets of education,” said Emmy Henley, managing director for The Reform Alliance. “They all share a common passion, though: helping students reach their fullest potential.”
Attendees can submit questions to the panelists via direct message on Facebook or via email to info@thereformalliance.org.
The Reform Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring every K-12 student in Arkansas has equal access to a world-class education. The Reform Alliance is proud to manage the Succeed Scholarship at no cost to the State of Arkansas. Even small expenses like the cost of mailing checks to schools are paid for by a private foundation grant. Free educational resources and more information about The Reform Alliance are available at thereformalliance.org.