SIMMONS FIRST BANK PROVIDES CHANCELLOR'S SCHOLARSHIP TO U OF A

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Marva Collins, one of the nation's most celebrated and revered African-American educators, will address more than 350 Arkansas educators, administrators and parents at the annual mid-year celebration of the University of Arkansas' "Great Expectations" program Jan. 7 and 8, 2000, at the Riverside Hilton in North Little Rock.

Collins, who founded Westside Preparatory School in Chicago in 1975, has gained international recognition for her no-frills classroom style in which all students—no matter their apparent skill level, background or upbringing—are expected to adhere to the highest academic standards in an environment of continuous praise, affection and mutual respect. Schools following her methodology incorporate phonics, Latin, classical literature and math, among many other subjects often thought too esoteric for inner-city and disadvantaged children. Some educators, like Charles Murray, author of "The Bell Curve," say that the Collins method is producing results "too good to be true." But a "60 Minutes" documentary about Collins and her method, refuted Murray's accusation. Proponents of the Collins method say that by building confidence in children by celebrating their success and giving them an unending supply of affection and unconditional love and respect, teachers are able to make a positive measurable impact on a child's future.

Collins has achieved an international reputation for her innovations in Chicago's inner-city educational system and has been featured in hundreds of newspapers, magazines and on television programs across the country and around the world. She is also featured in Brian Lanker's "I Dream a World; Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Originally from Alabama, Collins is in constant demand as a lecturer and presenter.

"We're absolutely delighted that Ms. Collins will be able to join us for this important celebration," said Charles Stegman, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions. "Her experience, her history, her presence will be an inspiration to our Great Expectations teachers, parents and administrators. We owe a great deal to those teachers who have carried Arkansas' classrooms a long, long way—keeping them inspired is part of our mission."

Great Expectations of Arkansas, an educational program funded by the Walton Family Foundation, is a "high expectations" philosophical approach to teaching that has been successfully instituted in nearly 60 Arkansas school districts over its five years of existence.

"Great Expectations is a model educational program and philosophy that we're proud to be celebrating," said Marie Parker, director of the program. "Having Marva to celebrate alongside makes this a banner year for us—she's an inspiration to educators everywhere, but especially in Arkansas."

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