Alternative Education
The Regional Education Alternative Program (REAP) Academy is a credit-recovery and dropout-prevention program, collaboratively facilitated by the Bentonville, Rogers , and Springdale School Districts . REAP uses interactive, self-paced NovaNET computer learning activities in a small, supportive learning environment to encourage success. It is designed for students facing expulsion and those whose placement on a regular high school campus has been unsuccessful. The goal of REAP is to improve student behavioral and academic performance to a degree that students can return to their district junior high or high school on grade level and demonstrate acceptable behavior in that setting. The program was developed through a three-year grant from the Walton Family Foundation and will be sustained through ADE funding, which will begin in 2005-2006, as well as recently appropriated State Alternative Education (ALE) funding.

Rogers School District
Contact: Ashley Kelley (479) 636-3910
Date Listed: May 30, 2006

Creative Use of Time or Organization of the School Day
As a result of middle level literacy training (Literacy Lab), the class configuration and time schedule at East Hills Middle School was adjusted. Rather than keeping two teams with separate English and reading teachers with 45-minute periods for each of the two subjects, the two class periods were combined into 90-minute sessions. All four of the teachers integrated literacy instruction into the extended ninety minute block of time. This schedule adjustment also allows for extended 90-minute periods of math instruction. The longer time frame compliments best instructional practices, providing more time for cooperative learning opportunities and matching instructional protocol for standards-based mini-lessons (explicit instruction, modeling, guided practice, independent practice), which is difficult to implement successfully in abbreviated class periods. 

Greenwood School District
Contact: Becky Byrd- bbyrd@greenwood.k12.ar.us
Date Listed: May 30, 2006

Tutoring
Our elementary students are eligible for the after-school tutoring program. The teachers select students from their class who have scored below the 50th percentile on the SAT-9 test. The program lasts an hour and fifteen minutes everyday after school. The students are provided snacks and transportation home afterwards. The program runs up to the time of our spring testing. A pizza party is held at the end of the program and all of the students receive a certificate for their improvements.

Bald Knob School District
Contact: Tanya Mullen (501) 724-3714
Date Listed: May 30, 2006

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