The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) appreciates the work done by all school districts in submitting course approvals. The number of submissions has exceeded 4,000; and even with continuing diligence in the processing of these submissions, it will not be possible to complete them all by October 15. However, it is very important to document accurately that school districts are offering the required 38 units. To assist school districts in the current situation, any course a school district has submitted for approval to the ADE as one of the required unspecified 38 units under the Standards for Accreditation, and for which ADE approval has not yet been received, should be assigned code as follows:
Science – five (5) units are required with three (3) specified, two (2) unspecified electives required
First elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 829000
Second elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 829010
Third elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 829020
Fourth elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 829030
Mathematics – six (6) units are required with four (4) specified, two (2) unspecified electives required
First elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 839000
Second elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 839010
Third elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 839020
Fourth elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 839030
Social Studies – four (4) units required with at least two and one-half units specified and 1˝ unspecified units (if teaching Arkansas History at grade 7 or 8)
First elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 879000
Second elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 879010
Third elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 879020
Fourth elective (regardless of course title) should be assigned code 879030
Even though an approval letter has been received for a specific new course which is one of the required 38 units, verify that the new course number is listed in the most current Course Code Cross-Walk document (dated 10/03/03). If it is not for the purpose of accuracy in reporting, use one of the course codes listed above. To find the most current Cross-Walk document, go to :
http://www.k12.ar.us/apscndocs/coursecodecrosswalk10.03.pdf
Note that this approval is conditional for one year only.
Any school which has technical questions about performing this crosswalk operation should contact Carmen Jordan (501-682-2883) or the assigned APSCN SMS field service representative.
This transition to a new course coding system has been challenging for both school districts and for ADE. During this transition, it is the intention of ADE that no student should be adversely affected in meeting the graduation requirements under the Standards for Accreditation. If such a situation appears to be possible, contact John McKinnon (501-682-4386). For further information concerning specified and unspecified courses, refer to the attached Director’s Memo.