The U of A Department of Education Reform and the Office for Education Policy host a yearly conference for diverse stakeholders across the state to share research on K-12 issues and discuss advancing Arkansas education.

This year's event, Educate to Elevate: A Year of Change and Growth, was held on Feb. 7 in Little Rock.

"The conference provided policymakers, practitioners and researchers the opportunity to engage in a collective dialogue about the progress being made in Arkansas since the passage of the LEARNS Act and opportunities for ongoing collaboration in education and workforce development," said Sarah McKenzie, executive director of the Office for Education Policy.

The keynote speaker was state Sen. Breanne Davis, who has served in the Arkansas State Senate since June 2018 and represents Pope and Conway counties. She was the lead sponsor of the Arkansas LEARNS Act. Other speakers included Leigh Keener, on the Arkansas State Board of Education; Casey Sullivan Taylor from ExcelInED; Crystal Beshears Duncan from the Office for Innovation in Education; Darrell Smith from the Arkansas Department of Education; Nate Levenson, president of New Solutions K12; Jared Cleveland, superintendent of the Springdale School District; and Virginia Walden Ford, an education advocate. Education Reform faculty and doctoral students rounded out the day-long event.

Speakers focused on topics like early literacy, improving special education, Arkansas school funding and changes in school accountability and teacher salaries.

"The sessions were informative, the topics were timely, and I enjoyed the format," said participant Edie Stewart, senior vice president and chief mission officer of Goodwill Industries of Arkansas.

The Department of Education Reform's mission is to produce high-quality research, shape education policy and grow influential scholars. The Office for Education Policy and Department of Education Reform are committed to proactively informing all education stakeholders to positively influence the future of education in Arkansas and beyond. The Office for Education Policy provides Arkansas educators, policymakers and other stakeholders with research and advice about current education policy issues to help all students reach their full potential.