Schools of Innovation Application portal



Portal For - SOI Application, Designation & Renewal

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Timeline

SOI Application

August
Thursday, August 24th, [10:00-11:30 AM] - Zoom Meeting: Overview of SOI application process
September
Wednesday, September 6th, [1:00-2:30 PM] - Zoom Meeting: Overview of SOI application process
Friday, September 22nd - Intent to Apply due
October
  • Wednesday, October 18th [9:00-2:00] - SOI new application training, Location: TBD
    • November
    Personalized support by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Office of Innovation for Education (OIE) through regional meetings, Zoom, webinar opportunities, and school site visits.
    December
    Tuesday, December 12th [9:00-2:00] - - SOI final application training support, Arch Ford ESC, Plumerville, AR
    January
    Personalized support by DESE and OIE through regional meetings, Zoom webinar opportunities, and school site visits
    February
    Tuesday, February 13th [9:00-11:30 a.m.] - SOI Application Virtual Meeting for all schools to finalize their application. Legal services and other DESE staff will be available to discuss waivers, course approvals, CTE, and other information.
    March
    • March 1, 2024, draft of SOI Application available for DESE to review by 4:30 p.m.
    • Initial feedback from DESE and OIE available in the SOI portal for schools. Personalized support provided by DESE and OIE.
    April
    Ongoing feedback from DESE and OIE available in the SOI portal for schools to make appropriate revisions and edits to the application. Personalized support provided by DESE and OIE.
    May
    • Monday, May 1, 2023 final SOI application due to DESE by 4:30 p.m.
    • SOI committee reviews SOI Applications and makes recommendation to the Secretary of Education.
    June-July
    • Secretary of Education review of SOI Applications for approval.
    • Secretary of Education notifies schools of his decision.

    Designation

    September
    Innovation Rally
    October
    SOI Designation meeting
    (explanation of all sections of the designation application, expectations, overview of SOI process)
    November
    Personalized coaching and support
    December
    Draft of SOI designation form due. Feedback on draft SOI designation form
    January
    Feedback on draft SOI designation form. Submit any waiver revisions to legal.
    February
    Final submission of SOI designation form due Schools request on-site designation review Designation site visits scheduled in February-March and April.
    March
    Designation site visits scheduled in February-March and April.
    April
    Designation site visits scheduled in February-March and April.
    June
    Designation notification

    Renewal

    September
    Innovation Rally
    October
    SOI Renewal meeting
    (explanation of all sections of the Renewal application, expectations, overview of SOI process)
    November
    Personalized coaching and support
    December
    Personalized coaching and support check-in
    January
    Follow up by visit/zoom/phone
    February
    Draft of SOI Renewal form due Feedback on draft SOI Renewal form
    March
    Feedback on SOI Renewal form
    April
    Final submission of SOI renewal form due by April 1st.
    Schools request renewal review.
    Renewal site visits/zoom scheduled in April-May.
    May
    Renewal site visits/zoom scheduled in April-May
    June
    Renewal notification

    Resources

    Creating Accounts

    Who is required to create the account?

    To minimize errors, we recommend only one account for a school. The account can be created by anyone in the school who will be completing the application online. However, notifications and all automated emails will be sent to the Principal, Superintendent and the email registered with the account.

    The site will allow a view-only account for principals, superintendents and administrators.

    Account Creation For SOI Application

    After completion of the Intent to Apply form, an automated email is sent with a link to create a new account. If you did not receive the email, you can access the link to create accounts from the Check Status button for Intent To Apply.

    Account Creation For Designation & Renewal Application

    Accounts for Designation & Renewal Applications have to be requested. Please contact our office.

    Account Creation For Principals, Superintendents & Administrators

    Accounts for Principals, Superintendents & Administrators have to be requested. Please contact our office.

    Intent To Apply

    Email not received for superintendent's signature
    These are automated emails that can land in the spam folder. if the email is not found in the spam folder, please click on the Check Status button. The status page will allow you to copy a link that can be emailed to the superintendent.
    Email not received for Account Registration
    These are automated emails that can land in the spam folder. if the email is not found in the spam folder, please click on the Check Status button. The status page has a register button if your Intent to Apply form is complete.

    About

    Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-2801 states that a School of Innovation (SOI) is a school that “transforms teaching and learning,” and defines innovation as “a new or creative alternative to the existing instructional and administrative practices.” SOI-designated schools are engaged in practices that are intended to improve academic performance and learning for all students. Arkansas school administrators who aspire to lead a School of Innovation are encouraged to design new and creative alternatives to the existing instructional and administrative practices in their schools.

    The first step to becoming a School of Innovation is the submission of an Intent to Apply Form to the ADE Office of Educational Options. This generally occurs in October and is followed up with a required technical assistance meeting to review the application process and requirements in the law. Technical assistance continues throughout the application process with on-site support and trainings by the Office of Innovation for Education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The final application is reviewed by a team of educators and submitted to the Commissioner of Education.

    Designation as a School of Innovation occurs after successful implementation has been demonstrated. A school is recommended for designation as a School of Innovation based on an ADE team review of that implementation. The Commissioner of Education makes the final approval for designation as an Arkansas School of Innovation, and School of Innovation status is granted for a four-year period.

    For more information, please contact:
    Arkansas Department of Education
    Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
    Learning Services
    Four Capitol Mall
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    Phone: 501-683-5780
    Fax: 501-683-6809

    About



    Approved Applications

    Approved Applications

    Support

    For Application Support & Feedback, email - Marsha Hash (hash@uark.edu)

    For Questions or issues with the portal, email - Santhosh Anand (ssanand@uark.edu)

    Contact

    Office of Innovation for Education
    University of Arkansas
    346 N. West Ave. WAAX
    Fayetteville, AR 72701

    Phone: (479)575 4499
    Fax: (479)575 7791
    Email: OIE@uark.edu

    Arkansas Department of Education
    Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
    Learning Services
    Four Capitol Mall
    Little Rock, AR 72201
    Phone: 501-683-5780
    Fax: 501-683-6809