Our founding in 2015 was the direct result of a study that examined Arkansas’s educational system. Through this work, our founders identified opportunities to improve student outcomes. And in their effort to find middle ground and spur innovation and change, they created Forward Arkansas.
After seven years, and in the wake of COVID-19, it’s time we again evaluate where we are as a state to understand the progress we’ve made and to gain clarity on our collective direction moving forward.
To do this, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, we launched the “State of Education in Arkansas,” a statewide study and engagement process to:
- Elevate progress we’ve made in communities, schools and as a State.
- Establish a shared understanding of where we are currently.
- Layout priorities to accelerate progress in Arkansas education for the future.
With the support of EY-Parthenon, the largest global strategy consulting organization, we hosted various opportunities for stakeholders at all levels throughout the state to provide input and feedback.
Stakeholder Engagement Opportunities Included:
- 1:1 Conversations with individuals deeply rooted in Arkansas’s education system and policies.
- Role-Specific Focus Groups with teachers, principals, district leaders, parents and other members of the education system.
- Community Focus Groups with parents, families, and other community members in every part of the state.
- Virtual Town Halls open to all.
- Survey of thousands of Arkansans.
Please scroll down to see the engagement opportunities by category.
State of Education in Arkansas Survey
Your feedback and responses to the survey helped establish clarity on the educational landscape in Arkansas, inform investments, and set priorities for Arkansas education for the next 3 to 5 years. The survey is now closed, and was open to all Arkansans.
Virtual Town Halls
Forward hosted two virtual town halls (September 15 and October 11) during which initial trends and findings for the project were presented. Attendees had an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. The town halls were open to all Arkansans.
Prior Engagement Opportunities
- July 11-12: Six focus groups conducted at the ADE Summit
- August 3: Teachers Virtual Focus Group
- August 4: Parents/Students Virtual Focus Group
- August 10: Higher Education Virtual Focus Group
- August 10: Superintendents Virtual Focus Group
- August 12: Superintendents Virtual Focus Group
- August 12: Business Leaders Virtual Focus Group
- August 12: Principals Virtual Focus Group
- August 17: Principals Virtual Focus Group
- August 23: In-Person Focus Group in Helena-West Helena
- August 23: In-Person Focus Group in Pine Bluff
- August 24: In-Person Focus Group in Forrest City
- August 24: In-Person Focus Group in Conway
- August 25: In-Person Focus Group in Harrisburg
- August 30: In-Person Focus Group in Little Rock
- August 31: In-Person Focus Group in Little Rock
- September 3: In-Person Focus Group in Jonesboro
- September 6: In-Person Focus Group in Hot Springs
- September 7: In-Person Focus Group in Camden
- September 8: In-Person Focus Group in Searcy
- September 8: In-Person Focus Group in Osceola
- September 10: In-Person Focus Group in Fort Smith
- September 13: In-Person Focus Group in Little Rock
- September 14: In-Person Focus Group in Little Rock
- September 15: Virtual Town Hall
- September 18: In-Person Focus Group in North Little Rock
- September 19: In-Person Focus Group in Jonesboro
- September 20: In-Person Focus Group in Searcy
- September 20: In-Person Focus Group in Fort Smith
- September 20: In-Person Focus Group in Clarksville
- September 27: In-Person Focus Group in Texarkana
- September 28: In-Person Focus Group in Marianna
- September 29: In-Person Focus Group in Dermott
- September 30: In-Person Focus Group in Springdale
- September 30: In-Person Focus Group in DeQueen
- October 4: In-Person Focus Group in Springdale
- October 5: In-Person Focus Group in Rogers
- October 6: In-Person Focus Group in Batesville
- October 6: In-Person Focus Group in Traskwood
- October 7: In-Person Focus Group in Little Rock
- October 7: In-Person Focus Group in DeQueen
- October 8: In-Person Focus Group in Fort Smith
- October 10: In-Person Focus Group in El Dorado
- October 10: In-Person Focus Group in Delight
- October 11: Virtual Town Hall
- October 11: In-Person Focus Group in Dumas
- October 11: In-Person Focus Group in Paron
- October 11: In-Person Focus Group in Stuttgart
- October 18: In-Person Focus Group in Magnolia
- October 20: In-Person Focus Group in Eudora
- October 25: In-Person Focus Group in Pocahontas
- October 25: In-Person Focus Group in Paragould
- November 2: In-Person Focus Group in Conway County
- By October 28, completed 1-1 interviews with 55+ key influencers
- By October 28, 2,600+ survey responses collected
