Week 7: Staying the Course

Happy Friday!

Thank you for the energy, effort, and commitment you continue to bring each day. From the classroom to the bus routes, from the ballfields to the offices, the work being done across our district is making a difference. It has been another week of steady progress toward our goals, and I am grateful for the dedication you show to our students and community.

This week’s Wrap-up includes two important topics. First, we want to share an update on the progress we are making with our local Value-Added Measure (VAM) system. This work is key to ensuring we fairly recognize the impact of teachers who do not already receive state-calculated scores. Second, we would like to highlight an exciting opportunity recently announced by the Arkansas Department of Education, the Presidential AI Challenge. This initiative opens the door for our students and staff to showcase innovation on a national stage.

Value-Added Measure (VAM) Progress Update

Over the past several weeks, we have been developing our own district VAM system to measure student growth for teachers who do not already receive a state-calculated VAM score. This system will allow us to recognize the impact of these teachers on student learning and use that evidence to enhance salaries in a fair and meaningful way.

The district model is built on student growth as reflected in ATLAS results. Because reading growth influences every subject, we are using ELA growth as the baseline measure for all teachers in this group. Where math and science results are available, those content-specific scores will be included as well. In order to ensure stability, teachers’ salary indexes tied to VAM will be calculated as a three-year average, just as the state does for core teachers.

As with any system, there are still important questions to resolve. We need to clarify how to account for highly mobile students in a way consistent with the state’s approach. We are also studying how best to measure growth in K–2, where ATLAS testlets do not count toward accountability, and what assessments should be used in grades 11–12, since ATLAS testing ends after 10th grade. These questions will be addressed in the coming weeks, and a complete proposal will be presented to the PPC before the end of October.

As you begin shaping your Professional Growth Plans, remember that our collective focus is on literacy. Every teacher should include evidence of how their practices support reading growth, regardless of the subject taught. Principals will provide additional guidance as you move through your PGP meetings.

This is both an opportunity and a challenge. It is an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of your daily work in the classroom, and a challenge to capture that growth in a way that is consistent, fair, and meaningful across the district.

Presidential AI Challenge

The Arkansas Department of Education has announced the Presidential AI Challenge, a national event designed to engage students, educators, and communities in shaping the future with artificial intelligence. This challenge is both an opportunity and a call to action. Teams may enter at the elementary, middle, high school, or educator level, with options ranging from proposal design to technical solutions. The challenge connects imagination with real-world problem solving and highlights how Arkansas schools can lead in innovation while celebrating 250 years of American independence.

More information, including the full participation guidebook, may be found here.

Closing Celebrations

It has been another great week of accomplishments and activities at Mena Public Schools. Our golf team finished strong at the district tournament with individuals qualifying for state, while the Ladycats earned a solid finish as well. Tennis and volleyball teams both had impressive performances this week, and our Quiz Bowl students represented us with determination at the local tournament.

In our classrooms, students at Holly Harshman Elementary explored science through hands-on experiments and brought books to life by practicing their reading skills in creative ways. Middle school art students collaborated on a Van Gogh–inspired sunflower mural, and high school students worked with a guest artist in pottery while preparing for upcoming theatre productions. FFA members reached important milestones in their leadership development, and many Mena students gathered together in a strong turnout for See You at the Pole.

These celebrations show the wide range of opportunities our students are engaging in—from academics to the arts, athletics, and leadership. We are proud of their efforts and accomplishments. Do not forget that tonight we have a home football game against Pottsville. Come out, show your support, and cheer on the Bearcats.

It was a good week of progress at Mena Public Schools.

At Mena Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming, and have a nice long weekend!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com