Bearcat Wrap-up Podcast - Week 22: Looking Back to Move Forward

Episode Date: January 31, 2025

Happy Friday!As we move through the second half of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the time, effort, and thoughtfulness you bring to our students every day. Whether in the classroom, in support roles, or behind the scenes, your commitment makes a difference. With only 70 instructional days left, every lesson, every intervention, and every moment of support matters as we work toward our performance targets. This week, much of our focus has been on digging into the recently released ATLAS test growth data. While looking at past performance, it is easy to get lost in the numbers, but the real value lies in how we use this information to guide our next steps. We are also evaluating our broader progress, and while unofficial, our graduation rate from last year appears to be trending in a positive direction. These milestones remind us that progress is built one step at a time, and our efforts now will shape student success in the months ahead.Looking Back, Moving ForwardAssessment data is not an endpoint—it is a roadmap. The ATLAS test growth data from last year provides a broad view of student progress, but our real work happens in how we interpret and apply that data. This is why we are taking a deeper dive, using other diagnostic tools to get a more complete picture of which students need additional support and what strategies will serve them best. Numbers alone do not tell the full story; they are just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes teacher insight, daily performance, and individual student needs.Our goal is not to dwell on past scores but to ensure that we are making informed, intentional decisions to support student growth moving forward. Every data point is an opportunity—an opportunity to refine instruction, to identify strengths, and to provide targeted interventions where they matter most. This work is not about looking back with regret or assigning blame, but rather about recognizing both the progress we have made and the areas where we can still grow. We should feel proud of the gains our students have made, knowing that our efforts have made a difference, but we must also continue pushing them toward even higher expectations. Growth does not stop when goals are met—it expands as we challenge our students to reach their full potential.Legislative UpdateThere are several bills currently in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly that school employees may be particularly interested in. SB 59 (link) proposes providing every public school student with one free breakfast per school day upon request, regardless of their eligibility for federally funded meal programs. HB 1283 (link) seeks to establish K-12 digital media standards through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, ensuring that students receive structured instruction in digital literacy. HB 1190 (link) would create an income tax exemption for teachers, with efforts underway to expand the exemption to additional school staff. HB 1051 (link) aims to amend the public school start date requirements, which could have implications for scheduling and instructional planning. HB 1021 (link) introduces the Early Childhood Education Workforce Quality Incentive Act, providing an income tax credit for early childhood educators to support and retain professionals in this critical field.HB 1025 (link) seeks to establish the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 2025, which could impact due process protections and employment rights for educators; however, the bill has been tabled, meaning it is not currently moving forward while lawmakers seek further discussion or potential revisions.House Bill 1312 (HB1312) and Senate Bill 149 (SB149) have been introduced in the 95th Arkansas General Assembly to amend public school funding amounts under the Public School Funding Act of 2003. If approved, these bills would result in a significant increase in funding for public schools, enhancing our ability to support student success. For detailed information, you can access the full text of HB1312 here and SB149 here.While these are just a few examples, there are numerous other bills currently under consideration—too many to go over in this format. A comprehensive list is available for those who wish to explore more details about legislation that may impact education. Additionally, several education-related bills have been deferred or tabled, meaning they have been temporarily set aside, often to allow for further review, potential amendments, or additional discussions before moving forward in the legislative process. As these discussions evolve, staying informed about proposed policies will be important for all school employees.Legislative SurveyTeachers, be on the lookout for a survey from the Arkansas Legislature regarding education policies and initiatives. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your insights, experiences, and concerns directly with policymakers as they shape decisions that impact schools, classrooms, and your profession. Your voice matters, and your feedback can help guide legislative priorities for public education in Arkansas. When you receive the survey, please take a few moments to complete it thoughtfully. You can also stay updated on legislative actions by visiting the Arkansas General Assembly website here.ClosingWe are incredibly thankful that the bus accident last Friday, January 24th, involving our senior high basketball players and cheerleaders was not as bad as it could have been. In moments like these, the quick thinking and assertive action of our coaches make all the difference, and we deeply appreciate their leadership in ensuring our students' safety. We also want to commend our students for remaining calm and stepping up to help in the situation along with those parents and supporters who stopped to render aid. A special thank you goes to Waldron Public Schools' Superintendent and Transportation Director for their kindness in bringing our students and coaches safely back to Mena that evening. In challenging moments, it is reassuring to see such teamwork, resilience, and support within our community.This sense of looking out for one another is exactly what Kindness Week is all about. This has been Kindness Week and across our schools, we have seen countless acts of generosity, encouragement, and compassion, reminding us that kindness is not just a theme for a week—it is a defining part of who we are. From students lifting each other up to staff members fostering a culture of care, this week has been filled with moments that matter. Thank you to everyone who has made this week meaningful by leading with kindness. Your efforts do not go unnoticed, and the positivity you have spread will continue to shape our school community long after this week ends. Kindness is contagious, and because of you, it is thriving at Mena Public Schools.It was a good week at Mena Public Schools.At Mena Public Schools our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.Keep the #menareads posts and videos coming and have a nice weekend! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bearcatwrap.substack.com

Good afternoon and welcome to the week 22 wrap up entitled Looking Back to Move Forward. Using data with purpose to refine our approach, support our students, and make every instructional day count. Happy Friday. As we move through the second half of the school year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the time, effort, and thoughtfulness you bring to our students every day. Whether in the classroom and support roles or behind the scenes, your commitment makes a difference. With only 70 instructional days left, every lesson, every intervention, and every moment of support matters

as we work towards our performance goals. This week, much of our focus has been on digging into the recently released Atlas test growth data. While looking at past performance, it is easy to get lost in the numbers, but the real value lies in how we use this information to guide our next steps. We are also evaluating our broader progress, and while unofficial, our graduation rate from last year appears to be trending in a positive direction, these milestones remind us that progress is built one step at a time, and our efforts now will shape student success in the months ahead. Looking back, moving forward, assessment data is not an endpoint, it's a roadmap. The Atlas test

growth data from last year provides a broad view of student progress, but our real work happens in how we interpret the data and apply that data. This is why we are taking a deeper dive using other diagnostic tools to get a more complete picture of which students need additional support and what strategies will serve them best. Numbers alone do not tell the full story. They are just a piece of a larger puzzle that includes teacher insight, daily performance, and individual student needs. Our goal is not to dwell on past scores, but to ensure that we are making informed, intentional decisions to support student growth moving forward. Every data point is an opportunity,

an opportunity to refine instruction, to identify strengths, and to provide targeted interventions where they matter most. This work is not about looking back with regret or assigning blame, but rather about recognizing both the progress we have made and the areas where we can still grow. We should feel proud of the gains our students have made, knowing that our efforts have made and the areas where we can still grow. We should feel proud of the gains our students have made, knowing that our efforts have made a difference. But we must also continue pushing them toward even higher expectations. Growth does not stop when goals are met. It expands as we challenge our students to reach their full potential. Legislative update. There are several bills currently in the

95th Arkansas General Assembly that school employees may be particularly interested in. There are links to each bill and more information embedded within the text. Senate Bill 59 proposes providing every public school student with one free breakfast per school day upon request regardless of their eligibility for federally funded meal programs. House Bill 1238 seeks to establish K-12 digital media standards through the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education ensuring that students receive structured instruction in digital literacy. House Bill 1190 would create an income tax exemption for teachers with efforts underway to expand the exemption to additional school staff. House Bill

1051 aims to amend the public school start date requirements which could have implications for scheduling and instructional planning. House Bill 1021 introduces the Early Childhood Education Workforce Quality Incentive Act, providing an income tax credit for early childhood educators to support and retain professionals in this critical field. House Bill 1025 seeks to establish the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act of 2025, which could impact due process protections and employment rights for educators. However, the bill has been tabled, meaning that is not currently moving forward while lawmakers

seek further discussion and potential revisions. House Bill 1312 and Senate Bill 149 have been introduced in the 95th General Assembly to amend public school funding amounts under the Public School Funding Act of 2003. If approved, these bills would result in a significant increase in funding for public schools, enhancing our ability to support students. For detailed information, you can see the bills in the links in the text. While these are just a few examples, there are numerous other bills currently under consideration, too many to go over in this format. A comprehensive list is available for those who wish to explore more details about legislation that may impact education. Additionally, several

education-related bills have been deferred or tabled, meaning they have been temporarily set aside, often to allow for further review, potential amendments, or additional discussions before moving forward in the legislative process. As these discussions evolve, staying informed about proposed policies will be important for all school employees. Legislative survey. Teachers be on the lookout for a survey linked, there's a linked flyer in the text with more information. A survey from the Arkansas legislature regarding education

policies and initiatives. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your insights, experience and concerns directly with policymakers as they shape decisions that impact schools, classrooms and your profession. Your voice matters and your feedback can help guide legislative priorities for public education in Arkansas. When you receive the survey, please take a few moments to complete it thoughtfully. You can also stay updated on the legislative actions by visiting the General Assembly website that's linked in the text. In closing, we are incredibly thankful that the bus accident last Friday, January 24th, involving our senior high basketball

players and cheerleaders was not as bad as it could have been. Moments like these, the quick thinking and assertive action of our coaches make all the difference and we deeply appreciate their leadership in ensuring our students safety. We also want to commend our students for remaining calm and stepping up to help in the situation. A special thanks goes to Waldron Public Schools Superintendent and Transportation Director for their kindness in bringing our students and coaches safely back to MENA that evening. In challenging moments, it is reassuring to see such teamwork, resilience, and support within our community. This sense of looking out for one another is exactly what Kindness Week is all about. This has been Kindness Week across across our schools and we have seen

countless acts of generosity, encouragement, and compassion reminding us that kindness is not just a theme for a week, it's a defining part of who we are. From students lifting each other up to staff members fostering a culture of care, this week's been filled with moments that matter. Thank you to everyone who has made this week meaningful by leading with kindness. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and the positivity you have spread will continue to shape our school community

long after this weekend. Kindness is contagious and because of you is thriving at MENA Public Schools. It was a good week at MENA Public Schools. At MENA Public Schools, our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident. Keep the MENA Reads posts and videos coming, and have a nice weekend.