State Rep. Bryan King
8-25-10

As students arrive to college campuses across the state this fall, more than 25,000 Arkansans will have help paying for their education through the now lottery-funded Academic Challenge Scholarship.  That's triple the number of students (8,282) who received the scholarship last year. 

Understandably, we in the House of Representatives have received many questions about how the scholarships are distributed, and exactly who's getting them.  Recipients have been notified, and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) is still finalizing the distribution process, but it has been able to provide preliminary numbers. 

According to ADHE, more than 54,000 people applied for the award. Close to 5,000 of the recipients are students who had been awarded the Academic Challenge Scholarship in previous years.  Around $49 million in scholarships will go to 12,389 traditional students (those who are just graduating high school and entering college as a freshman).  Since there is no funding cap for traditional students, every entering freshman who applied and met the criteria was awarded a scholarship.  Also, the $41.5 million budgeted for current college students was enough to award every current student who applied and qualified.  These students had to have earned at least 12 credit hours for each semester they were in college since high school.  That totaled 4,550 scholarships.

Non-traditional students will receive 3,600 of the awards.  Unfortunately, that leaves many non-traditional students on a waiting list.   The rules include a priority ranking system for non-traditional applicants.  Their rank is weighted 70% on how close they are to attaining a degree (whether they already had some college hours), 20% on GPA, and 10% on whether they are in a high demand field of study. 

Though there will likely be some fine-tuning of the application process after this first year, the high number of applicants in each category only underscores the importance of the scholarship.  Jim Purcell, director of the state Department of Higher Education, said the department never expected  to be able to fund every applicant.  "The amount currently funded is relatively close to our budgeted numbers, although the number of students in the different categories is somewhat different than expected," Purcell said.  "We are glad to respond to specific questions and inquiries from the scholarship applicants if they have concerns," he added.  Students and parents with questions about criteria or award status can also  visit www.adhe.edu for more information.

Also, in looking ahead to next year's awards, Arkansas high school students are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Core curriculum.  Achieving a 2.5 GPA in Smart Core is one way to qualify for the Academic Challenge Scholarship.  For students applying for the award for the Spring term, the deadline is November 1. 

As we strive to improve this program, we are committed to continuing to put these much-needed scholarships in the hands of as many Arkansans as possible, and we will keep working with the Department of Higher Education and others to make sure it's done in a way that is fair and efficient.

Ark. House of Representatives.
Rep. Bryan King
8-06-10

Natural State have been struggling to endure the recent heat wave.  For the first week of August, the mercury reached the 105 degree mark several days in a row, breaking records for many parts of the state.  According to the National Weather Service, August 3 even marked the hottest day of the decade for Central Arkansas, topping out at 107 degrees.  For many of us, the stifling heat is merely an inconvenience, but we are also reminded it can pose great danger, becoming both a health and fire hazard.
 

The Arkansas Department of Health has recorded five deaths from the heat so far this year.  On average, ten people die every year in our state from heat-related causes.  Even though temperatures aren't likely to remain as extreme as we saw the first days of August, the summer heat can still be dangerous, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with chronic conditions.  Health officials urge folks to schedule any outside activities for the coolest parts of the day.  Even the healthiest of individuals can become susceptible when out  in the sun and high humidity.  Of course, drink plenty of water, and know the symptoms of heat stroke.  If you stop sweating, experience cramping, nausea or dizziness, these can be signs of heat exhaustion.  If you or someone you are with starts to lose consciousness, immediately call for emergency help. 

However, remember, you don't have to be outside to fall victim to the heat.  Indoor temperatures can also rise quickly.  Good air circulation is vital.  For homes without air conditioning, the best option may be to go to a shelter or cooling center.  Many have been set up across the state.  Contact your local senior citizen center to find the cooling site closest to you.

Unfortunately, these hot, dry conditions pose an increased threat of wildfires, too.  Burn bans have been issued in more than twenty counties, and the Arkansas Forestry Commission says since August 1, more than 25 fires have burned more than 430 acres in the state, keeping state and local fire crews busy.  Not only are crews fighting the blazes from the ground, but by air, as well.  In 2008 and 2009, the Arkansas Forestry Commission received  $1 million from the state General Improvement Fund to pay for the use of air tankers to fight forest fires and nearly $3 million to buy dozers to help with fire control on the ground. 

Given the high fire risk right now, state forestry officials say they need your help to keep forests and homes safe - especially if you live near wooded areas.  They ask that you heed burn bans and be mindful of sparks that may fly from lawn mowers or other equipment - even those can start a fire.  Never discard cigarettes from a moving vehicle, and don't park your car where high grass might touch the exhaust system.  You can check www.arkansasforestry.org for more tips and  to see if your county is under a burn ban.

Though it's hard to imagine now, in just a matter of weeks, we will ease into the cooler days of fall.  Until then, take the steps necessary to make the rest of this hot summer a safe one for you and your family!

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7-05-2010
Arkansas House of Representatives
Bryan King 

Amanda Manatt
Benchmark Exams

For  most Arkansas students now slipping into the slower routine of summer vacation, last year's standardized testing is not likely a top concern, but the results are in, and they're positive!  Teachers, administrators, state education officials and lawmakers were pleased this week as scores were reported for the 2010 Arkansas Augmented Benchmark Exams and the Grade 11 Literacy Exam. The results showed significant growth.

Not only did more students score proficient and advanced for their grade levels than last year, showing an increase in math and literacy performance, but for the fourth year in a row, the achievement gaps among white, black and Hispanic students narrowed.  "When you have the achievement gap closing while scores of each student subgroup improve, you know the system is working together to produce the right results.  You can't ask for a much better trend than that," said Tom Kimbrell, Arkansas Commissioner of Education.  Kimbrell attributed gains to the hard work of schools, teachers and communities, and he also credited the comprehensive reforms enacted by the state legislature after the Arkansas Supreme Court's 2002 mandate requiring the state to provide all students access to an adequate and equal education.  


For the 2010 testing, two-thirds or more of Arkansas students scored at proficient and advanced levels on 11of the 12 exams.  The best overall scores were on the third-grade math benchmark, with 84 percent of students scoring proficient and advanced.  The largest gain occurred on the seventh-grade math exam, where 75 percent of scores were proficient and advanced, an increase of seven  percentage points from 2009.  Results for the Grade 11 Literacy Exam were also up, increasing from 57 percent proficient and advanced in 2009, to 60 percent in 2010.  These results are combined with end-of-course exam results (to be released later) to determine improvement status for schools and districts under the federal No Child Left Behind Law.  

The state also conducts science benchmark exams for fifth and seventh grades, a practice begun in 2008.  Scores on those tests improved by 16 percent for fifth-graders, but remained largely unchanged for seventh-grade students.  The science scores are not included in yearly adequacy evaluations.

The overall gains are encouraging and represent progress of which we should all be proud, but there is still much work to be done.  Ensuring our children receive an adequate education not only prepares them for their future endeavors, but helps shape the future economic growth and development for our entire state.  We will keep working with educators and education leaders to make sure these advances in our education system continue.

June 11, 2010
From Representative Bryan King

For months now, we have heard about the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and increased funding it will provide for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship.   Well, after all of the time and work spent establishing eligibility requirements and award amounts, then completing the application process, those scholarships are starting to make it into the hands of Arkansas students!

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education says it has notified 10,000 high school seniors that they will receive the enhanced Academic Challenge Scholarship in the fall.  The notices have been sent via email.  Students can also check their online account set up through the YOUniversal Scholarship Application on the Department of Higher Education website to find out whether they have received the award.

More than 53,000 students submitted applications.  Of those, 16,815 were high school seniors.  A spokesperson for the Department of Higher Education says those applications have been processed first and that more awards may still be awarded to seniors, as the department continues to receive school transcripts, making more applications complete.

More than 53,000 students submitted applications.  Of those, 16,815 were high school seniors.  A spokesperson for the Department of Higher Education says those applications have been processed first and that more awards may still be awarded to seniors, as the department continues to receive school transcripts, making more applications complete.

More than half of the applications - 36,829- are from nontraditional students and students known as "current achievers," or qualifying students already in college.  The law limits the awards for these students at $41.5 million for current achievers and $12 million for nontraditional students.  Qualifying applicants will be awarded based on a formula that is weighted 70% on the student's level of progress toward his or her degree, 20% on GPA, and 10% on whether the student is in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) field, or in an area of workforce shortage. 

The department expects to finish processing applications for nontraditional students and current achievers by the end of June, and those students who applied by the June 1 deadline have until June 15 to turn in any additional transcripts or documentation.

"This is a very busy time but also an exciting time as we are seeing a huge surge in the number of people who are interested in furthering their education,” said Dr. Jim Purcell, director of the Department of Higher Education. 

It is truly an exciting time for those who worked so hard to see the enhanced scholarship come to fruition, and foremost, for the students who are now closer to reaching college.