The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) was recently awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate the Environmental And Spatial Technology (EAST) Initiative. The grant will allow the Department to do a scientific evaluation of the EAST Initiative in approximately 20 schools over the next three years. The EAST Initiative began seven years ago in one Arkansas school. Since then it has been successfully implemented in hundreds of middle schools and high schools across the country and has impacted thousands of students in grades 6-12.
While a significant commitment is required of the local school district to implement the EAST Initiative, the benefits to the students and the district far outweigh the financial resources and staff time that the district must provide. The ADE is seeking qualified schools to participate in the EAST evaluation grant. These schools must be willing to cooperate in a more intensive data collection process than that required from other EAST schools.
On February 16, 17, and 18, 2004, the EAST Initiative will host its 5th Annual Partnership Conference at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Students from 160 schools from five states will be on hand to demonstrate their community service projects using sophisticated technology tools.
Please consider this Director’s Memo a special invitation for school superintendents and principals to be our guest at the banquet on Tuesday, February 17 at 6:00 p.m. for a celebration of the innovative efforts of students. At the banquet you will have the opportunity to hear not only the guest speakers, but presentations by some of the EAST students as well. On Wednesday, February 18, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a presentation about the EAST Initiative which includes a walk-through of the exhibition hall, demonstrations by the students, and a question and answer session about the program.
To be considered for participation in the EAST Initiative and grant evaluation, please email the attached form to Melanie Bradford at mbradford@arkedu.k12.ar.us or fax it to 501-371-5010. Please return the form even if you are not planning to attend the conference. These forms will assist the Department in providing documentation regarding recruitment and participation of potential EAST schools in the grant process.
Special seating will be reserved for school administrators who register to attend the banquet.