At the March board meeting, the State Board of Education (Board) approved a recommendation to not continue additional days for professional development through waiver days and early release time.
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) formed the Act 35 Task Force to assist in the revision of the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) Rule for the purpose of incorporating the components of Act 35 and Act 74. The Task Force recommended that the practice of applying for additional professional development days and waiver days continue for one additional year (2004-2005).
5.03 of the ACTAAP Rule allowed the ADE to approve waiver days and early release time for the 2004-2005 school year.
5.03.5 of the ACTAAP Rule required the ADE to make a recommendation to the Board regarding this policy prior to the 2005-2006 school year.
Attached to this memo is a Q & A document that addresses questions related to ACTAAP Rule 5.0 Professional Development. This document will be updated, as other information is available.