LISA Academy introduces hybrid education option
LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School is more than just virtual learning. Students can also meet in person every other week for enrichment activities and interventions, and they can play sports and join various clubs from robotics and creative writing to community service and more.
It’s also more than just a temporary pandemic precaution. The faculty and staff are trained and prepared to meet both educational and social emotional needs year-round, with flexible schedules and both synchronous and asynchronous learning.
It’s also more than just another free public school option for families.
It’s an opportunity.
For the kindergarteners in Tennille Winston’s class, it’s an opportunity to grow and develop both academically and socially from the comfort and safety of their homes. This virtual environment can make it easier for shy students to learn how to interact with others.
Winston said she had already seen this in her class within the first two weeks of instruction when a student’s grandparents had contacted her excited about the progress she had seen in her once-shy granddaughter.
“I have seen her blossom, and she is talking more,” Winston said. “You would think that because it is a hybrid platform, you wouldn’t get to see those developments. It has been amazing to see her learn how to use her voice and be more assertive.”
For some, it’s an opportunity for families and communities to be more involved with education. Sherrill Williams, who teaches science for sixth, seventh and eighth grades, said she has seen a huge increase in the level of community and parental involvement in comparison with her prior experience in a traditional public school.
“Now, I see what engagement can look like,” Williams said. “Now, I am getting the training on how to be more diverse, how to collaborate more, how to have that advocacy for my scholars, their parents and my teammates.”
For some, the flexibility of the hybrid school is also an opportunity for students to learn to take responsibility for their education. Both Williams and Lauren Dotson, who teaches high school English classes, said students have been enthusiastic about interacting in live classes and regret having to miss class, but are grateful that they can easily catch up by watching the recorded sessions.
“Pretty much all the students I have talked with during goal-setting sessions mentioned they consider themselves college bound,” Dotson said. “Because this teaches responsibility, independence and prioritizing their time, all these kids are sort of ahead of the curve when it comes to looking toward college.”
The LISA Academy team created the hybrid school as a solution for families who appreciate the flexibility of virtual learning, but don’t want to give up the opportunities for social interaction.
Most of the digital curriculum is through Florida Virtual School, but some pieces that are unique to Arkansas are supplemented through Lincoln Learning Solutions and Virtual Arkansas. A dedicated team of LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School teachers lead live classes, as well as small group sessions and one-on-one meetings.
The teachers and administrators work from the learning center in Little Rock, which promotes more transparency than with working from home and encourages teamwork, according to Principal Aydogan Altun.
“This system is new, first time, and it’s new for me, as well,” Atun said. “As a principal, I’m helping staff members where I can, but in the meantime, they help each other a lot. They learn from each other.”
The learning center building previously housed LISA Academy West Middle School, but it has been renovated and dedicated to the hybrid school. In addition to the teachers’ area, it includes classrooms and meeting rooms where central Arkansas students will meet for enrichment. (This in-person component is available this year, but it is not mandatory at this point due to concerns about COVID-19.)
Another learning center, located on the LISA Academy Springdale campus, is available for hybrid school students in northwest Arkansas. Over the next six years, the hybrid school hopes to open learning centers for more students throughout the state, according to Dr. Fatih Bogrek, the superintendent.
“We cannot open a school everywhere in Arkansas, but we can go to each part of the state and open learning centers in libraries, schools, churches,” he said. “We can have in-person education in Fort Smith, El Dorado, Pine Bluff, Jonesboro. In that way, we can recruit students from every part of the state.”
As of the end of August, about 120 students had enrolled in the hybrid school, and each student was given a 15” Chromebook preloaded with apps, like a PDF editor. The school is also providing Wi-Fi hot spots for students struggling with connectivity and is currently in the process of purchasing writing pads for all the students.
Before the end of the first quarter, the learning center in Little Rock will also house a STEM Maker Space that will be open to students from the hybrid school, other LISA Academy schools and even other area public schools (by appointment). The Maker Space is equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, green screens, computers, a tool cart and other items for students to build projects, practice coding and do STEM activities.
Williams and Dotson said they are looking forward to the completion of the Maker Space and are excited about the wonderful opportunities available to students in the new hybrid school.
“I really like this model because it is thought-forward,” Williams said. “What we really are thinking about is that next generation — how do we keep our kids competitive in the future? I just see that in this model.”
The hybrid school was just approved in March for a total capacity of 1,050 students, so space is available for more students to enroll. More information is available at https://lisahybrid.lisaacademy.org/ or by phone at (501) 451-4200.
Families who are looking for additional education options can also contact The Reform Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that every Arkansas student gets a world-class education, at https://thereformalliance.org/ or by calling (501) 244-9028.
The Reform Alliance (TRA) can help families explore different learning environments to find an option that would best meet their needs. Some of the options include traditional public schools, public charter schools (like LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School), private schools, microschools/learning pods and homeschooling.
“Every child learns differently, and it’s important to find the environment that is best suited for each child,” said Emmy Henley, TRA’s managing director. “We are excited about the LISA Academy Arkansas Hybrid School because it opens up more opportunities for Arkansas families.”
The Reform Alliance applauds court decision reversing school choice transfer exemptions
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 26 2021) – The Reform Alliance (TRA) commended the decision from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that makes school choice transfers possible in four south Arkansas Districts that were previously exempted.
It opens the door for families in the Hope, Camden Fairview, Lafayette County and Junction City school districts to be able to choose a different school district, subject to school capacity and to the 3% percent limit on the number of students who may transfer out of a district in a given year.
“Finding the right school environment can mean a world of difference to a student,” TRA’s Managing Director Emmy Henley said. “We are glad that more Arkansas families will have the freedom to choose the educational environment that best meets their needs without it being limited by their income or zip code.”
The case is United States of America v. Junction City School District, No. 19-1340, and the opinion is available here. More information is available here.
ABOUT THE REFORM ALLIANCE: 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.
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2021 Succeed Scholarship Parent Survey
Succeed Scholarship Program
Annual Parent Survey 2020-2021
Parents have POWER! At The Reform Alliance, we recognize this, so we value parent feedback. Annually, we survey all parents who have children participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program.
100% of parents believe the Succeed Scholarship Program should continue to be available.
The annual parent survey is an important tool used to measure the success of this program. In fact, parent satisfaction with the Succeed Scholarship is incredibly high. In 2021, 100% of parents responded that the SSP should continue to be available to future students.
98.5% of parents are satisfied with the academic progress of their students!
Parent satisfaction with academic progress made by their students through the Succeed Scholarship is incredibly high. In 2021, 98.5% of parents said they were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied with the academic progress of their students at the private school funded through the Succeed Scholarship.
In comparison, 18.6% of parents said they were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied with the academic progress of their students while they were in public school.
Parents are seeing improvement ...
98.4% of parents said they “strongly agree” or “agree” they have seen an improvement in their child’s social development since they started attending a private school using the Succeed Scholarship.
96.8% of parents said they “strongly agree” or “agree” that they have seen improvement in their children’s grades since they started attending a private school using the Succeed Scholarship.
Parents: SSP schools are better at addressing learning disability
When considering how the school addressed their child’s disability, 98.8% of parents were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied with how their SSP school addressed their child’s disability compared to only 19.1% who felt like the child’s disability was properly addressed at their designated public school.
Most parents on the program choose SSP to find a school that specializes in their children's learning disabilities.
Parents reported a wide variety of reasons for choosing to participate in the Succeed Scholarship program, but the most widely reported reasoning was they were looking for a school that specializes in learning disabilities.
Want to know more?
Click here to learn more about the Succeed Scholarship!
Student Focused Teacher Led conference will be held in Little Rock Sept. 30 and Oct. 1
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (July 19, 2021) – The Student Focused Teacher Led conference in Little Rock Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 will feature some of the nation’s leading educators and researchers.
The opening keynote speaker, Ruby Payne, educator and author best known for the book “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” will speak about “Emotional Poverty in All Demographics.” Payne holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies.
In other sessions, NBA legend Sidney Moncrief, will about “Taking Ownership of Creating a Better World,” and education expert Tammy Pawlowski, who holds a doctorate in Early Childhood Education, will talk about “Myths and Misconceptions: Why Poverty Matters and Why Schools and Teachers Can Matter More.”
“We want to empower educators with research-based practices and industry-proven resources,” said Arkansas State Teachers Association Executive Director Michele Linch, who holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. “Then, they can take these tools back to their classrooms and lead at their schools.”
The Arkansas State Teachers Association, Bright Futures USA, The Reform Alliance and the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education are hosting the conference.
Early registration until August 31 comes with a discounted rate of $50, a complimentary Student Focused Teacher Led T-shirt and a copy of Payne’s book “”Emotional Poverty in All Demographics: How to Reduce Anger, Anxiety and Violence in the Classroom.” Beginning Sept. 1, registration will cost $100. Registration is available at https://sftl.me/conference/.
“Over the past couple decades, the paradigm in education has shifted toward making sure instruction, relationships and classroom interactions are all centered around what is best for students,” said Emmy Henley, managing director of The Reform Alliance. “We invite all educators to attend the conference to learn more about what it means to be student focused like this.”
ABOUT BRIGHT FUTURES USA: Bright Futures USA is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing communities together to focus on the success of children. This grassroots movement uses the Bright Futures framework to engage businesses, human service agencies, faith-based organizations, and parent groups within communities to meet the needs of children so every child can be successful, now and in the future.
ABOUT THE ARKANSAS STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION: As a state chapter of the Association of American Educators (AAE), the Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA) is a statewide non-union, professional educators’ organization, advancing the profession by offering a modern approach to teacher representation and educational advocacy, as well as promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence without a partisan agenda.
ABOUT THE REFORM ALLIANCE: 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.
ABOUT THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION: The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is a division of the Arkansas Department of Education which provides leadership, support and service to schools, districts and communities so every student graduates prepared for college, career, and community engagement.
My Father's the Best Because ...
Do you have the best dad ever? Tell us why, and you can win a $100 Lowe's gift card for him for Father's Day!
Every Tuesday (June 1, June 8 and June 15), we will post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and invite you to share your stories and pictures!
COMMENT
All you have to do is comment on the post by that Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Comments can include pictures, videos or just words.
WIN
We will randomly select a winner from the comments using the ShortStack app every Friday and announce the weekly winner on social media.
Governor officially marks the creation of the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program
In April, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation for the tax credit scholarship program for K-12 students. Hutchinson signed the bill into law April 26 and met with supporters at the Capitol today.
Virtual town hall panelists spotlight value of flexible education strategies
Virtual town hall will highlight educational options available in Arkansas
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 10, 2021) – The Reform Alliance (TRA) is hosting an education-themed virtual town hall via Facebook live at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 12.
Annual Parent Survey Data
Succeed Scholarship Parent Survey Results
2018-2021 Parent Surveys
Parents have POWER! At The Reform Alliance, we recognize this, and we value their opinions. So, we survey all parents who have children participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program annually.
TRA believes that parents are the best decision makers when determining the right educational options for their children, and all children should have the opportunity for a world-class education regardless of zip code or family income. In our existing, one-size-fits-all zip-code-based education model, the financial means of the family, including the ability to live in the “right” zip code, determines the school that a child attends, regardless of what a parent thinks is best.
More than 98% of parents believe the Succeed Scholarship Program should continue to be available.
Because of the important role parents should play in making decisions for their child and the education freedom provided by the Succeed Scholarship, the annual parent survey is an important tool used to measure the success of this program. In fact, parent satisfaction with the Succeed Scholarship is incredibly high. In 2021, 100% of parents believed that the SSP should continue to be available to future students.
Academic Progress Satisfaction - SSP -v- Designated Public School
When considering the academic progress of their students, in 2021, 98.5% of parents said they were satisfied with the academic progress of their child in the SSP versus only 18.6% who were satisfied with the academic progress of their child in their designated public school.
Individual Attention - SSP -v- Designated Public School
When considering the individual attention received by their students, in 2021, 98.8% of parents said they were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied with the individual attention received by their child compared to 23.5% who felt the same about the designated public school.
Addressing Child's Disability - SSP -v- Designated Public School
When considering how the school addressed their child’s disability, 98.8% of parents were “somewhat” or “very” satisfied with how their SSP school addressed their child’s disability compared to only 19.1% who felt like the child’s disability was properly addressed at their designated public school.
