Arkansas
We studied 994,000 job postings from 2019-2020 and found that 474,000 Arkansas jobs or 48% of job postings demanded at least one Durable Skill.
State Standards Analysis & Recommendations for Improvement
COLLEGE & CAREER READINESS
Readiness standards are published and promoted and describe the competencies students need to learn and possess for entry into and success in college and the workforce. They may or may not be assessed by the state but exist as guidance for educators and expectations for students.
Yes
Does the state define college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s definition of college and/or career readiness is “the acquisition of the knowledge and skills the student needs to be successful in future endeavors, including credit-bearing, first-year courses at a postsecondary institution, such as two-year or four-year college, trade school, or technical school, or to embark on a career.”
No
Does the state have career readiness standards?
Yes
Does the state report metrics related to college and/or career readiness?
Yes, the state’s reported metrics related to college and/or career readiness include:
Additional Resource: ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act): Comprehensive School-by-school Accountability
Yes
Does the state include college/career readiness in its accountability formula?
Yes.
Yes
Are students expected to demonstrate readiness for college and/or career upon graduation?
Yes, students are expected to demonstrate college and/or career readiness through:
- Advanced Coursework Enrollment
- CTE Participation (CTE, WBL, Credential, Apprenticeship, Other)
No
Are Durable Skills reflected in career readiness standards?
No
Does the state publish career readiness/employability skills standards?
No
Does the state have a complete framework for work-based learning?
Yes
Does the state define WBL?
Yes, the state’s definition for work-based learning is available here.
Yes
Does the state have clear expectations for WBL programs?
Yes, the state’s work-based learning expectations guide can be found here.
No
Does the state have a WBL quality guide?
Yes
Does the state report on WBL participation and outcomes?
Arkansas launched, Seamless, a WBL portal that will allows WBL coordinators to upload data on students’ WBL placements, including any certifications earned and disaggregated data. The Seamless portal does not yet appear to have a public reporting component beyond participation data, however.
No
Does the state use WBL participation as a program quality indicator for Perkins V federal funding?
Yes
Does the state provide guidance related to career/employability skills?
Yes, the state’s guidance related to career/employability skills can be found here.
WORK-BASED LEARNING (WBL)
Work-based learning describes comprehensive guidance, expectations for educators and employers, and quality indicators for assessment.
DURABLE SKILLS ALIGNED WITH READINESS GUIDANCE
GRADUATE PROFILE
A graduate profile includes the competencies and skills a student possesses when they graduate from high school. They showcase student learning outcomes and present a full picture of a student’s abilities.
Yes
Does the state include career/workforce readiness in its graduation requirements?
Yes, the readiness requirements outlined by the state are partial and grouped with other content areas. Students must earn at least 6 credits in “Career Focus or Content Electives.” The Career Focus courses are set up under these groupings: Agriculture Science and Technology, Business and Marketing Technology, Career Readiness/Work-Based Learning, Family and Consumer Sciences, STEM, and Trade and Industry. Students demonstrate they’ve met these requirements via coursework.
Yes
Does the state outline a robust set of graduation requirements?
Yes, the state outlines a robust set of graduation requirements that can be found here.
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