School leaders face growing demands to do more with less while ensuring procurement stays fully compliant and transparent. This 45 to 60-minute session will show superintendents and district procurement teams how The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) simplifies purchasing through competitively solicited, pre-qualified contracts—reducing timelines, lowering costs, and minimizing procurement risk. Using real K–12 examples, participants will walk through contract categories most relevant to districts (construction, facilities, technology, transportation, and classroom supplies), contract usage best practices, and steps to onboard vendors and staff.
How much assessment is enough — and what actually moves instruction forward? Join cadre leaders and a representative from Public School Accountability for a candid conversation about balancing accountability requirements with meaningful classroom practice. This panel will explore how to right-size assessment systems so they reduce noise, elevate clarity, and position formative assessment as the primary driver of daily instructional decisions. Participants will also learn about statewide opportunities to engage in ongoing conversations throughout the year and preview learning modules currently in development to support this work. Walk away with practical insights for building coherence between state measures and classroom moves that accelerate student growth.
Project Manager - CCFAL, Office of Innovation for Education
After seven years in the classroom, Chrissy joined the Office of Innovation for Education to have a greater impact on education. She is passionate about students being the focus of learning and creating a learning environment that supports students. She now leads the charge in the... Read More →
Assistant Commissioner of Public School Accountability, Arkansas Department of Education
Hope Worsham serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Public School Accountability at the Arkansas Department of Education, where she leads statewide efforts to support school performance and ensure meaningful use of data in decision-making. With a career spanning multiple leadership... Read More →
Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT Salon B (M)
Learn how Sheridan School District is raising rigor by using a reliable third-party CFA platform aligned to Arkansas standards. District leaders will share how they design CFAs, review results, and use the data to guide instructional decisions. The session will explore DnA, including how it supports standards-based assessment creation, offers instant scoring and feedback, and provides reporting that helps educators understand student performance by standard and item. Participants will walk away with practical examples of how CFAs and DnA can work together to support consistent, standards-aligned instructional practices.
Renaissance Intelligence is the first and only Education Intelligence System that unifies assessment, instruction, practice, and curriculum alignment into one cohesive experience—powered by adaptive, contextual, educator-guided AI. This isn't AI that piles on more steps—it's intelligence embedded into what teachers already do, bringing personalization, efficiency, and fidelity to every classroom. In this session, participants will see how Renaissance Intelligence brings together systems district leaders have spent years trying to coordinate—reducing fragmentation, providing real-time instructional guidance, and delivering immediate visibility into student performance. No matter where your district is on its improvement journey, Renaissance Intelligence can illuminate the path forward. Participants will hear directly from districts preparing to implement this fall and learn how they're leveraging Renaissance Intelligence to support coherent instruction and accelerate student achievement.
Step into the year with clarity and momentum. This session highlights practical strategies for leading district‑wide improvement efforts, building trust quickly, and identifying the right levers for early wins. Perfect for district administrators ready to make a meaningful impact from day one.
Assistant Commissioner of Public School Accountability, Arkansas Department of Education
Hope Worsham serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Public School Accountability at the Arkansas Department of Education, where she leads statewide efforts to support school performance and ensure meaningful use of data in decision-making. With a career spanning multiple leadership... Read More →
Director of Monitoring and Accreditation, Arkansas Department of Education
Brooke McCain is a leading expert in accreditation and monitoring, with a passion for district improvement, recognized for equipping school leaders with the practical tools needed to manage compliance and drive real results. Heading Arkansas’s on-site monitoring and accreditation... Read More →
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm CDT Salon B (M)
This training session, Vision Casting to Create Systems of Communication, guides school leaders and educators through the process of building effective communication systems that strengthen school culture and collaboration. Participants will explore how to identify campus needs, develop a unifying annual theme, and align administrative and teacher teams to support the vision. The session highlights practical tools such as communication structures, behavior support systems, and collaborative team models that streamline information flow and foster shared leadership. Attendees will leave equipped with strategies to enhance engagement, reduce burnout, and create a cohesive, communicative school environment.
My journey in education has been anything but traditional, and I believe that’s what fuels my deep passion for serving students, staff, and families. I began my career in public education as a custodian before becoming a teacher and eventually serving as principal of Cabot Middle... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT Salon B (M)
