CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Arkansas state law recognizes that "students in Arkansas deserve the best education that the citizens can provide." This education must produce academically competent students who can demonstrate their competency in the core curriculum and who can apply their knowledge and skills.

Arkansas' Learning Standards are defined in the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks, which are discipline-based and clearly describe what students must know and be able to do in each academic content area. The rigorous academic content standards and the student learning expectations within each document provide the focus for instruction for each local school district, without rigidly prescribing every element of the local curriculum.

Student demonstration of the standards and learning expectations within the Arkansas Frameworks is the anchor for the entire education system, with instructional programs, state-level assessments, professional development, school improvement planning, teacher/administrator licensure, and accountability sharing the common goal of improved student learning and performance around these standards.

Additional information can be obtained from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website regarding Curriculum Support.