Upcoming Events

The Arkansas Learns Summit will gather leaders of private or accredited nonpublic schools in Arkansas to celebrate the passing of The LEARNS Act, which standards for Literacy, Empowerment, Accountability, Readiness, Networking and Safety. This goal of this summit is to provide assistance for school leaders to implement Educational Freedom Accounts with integrity and fidelity.

Presented by EdChoice, in association with Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association (ANSAA), Opportunity Arkansas, Catholic Education Partners (CEP), The Reform Alliance, The Council for American Private Education (CAPE), National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), Yes. Every Kid. Foundation., and CACE.

Registration and Schedule

The event will begin on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 5 in the evening with our first keynote speaker. The event will conclude on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 4 in the afternoon. A more detailed schedule will be provided to individuals following registration.

You may register up to two people per school at the link below. Register by Wednesday, September 27, 2023.

Register Here

Hotel and Venue

The summit will be hosted at the Robinson Center (Hamilton/Porter Room), in downtown Little Rock. You may secure a group rate from the near by Hilton Garden Inn Little Rock Downtown at the link below. This rate will be available until Friday, September 22, 2023.

Arkansas LEARNS Summit – Group Rate – Hilton

Event Organizers

EdChoice

EdChoice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to understanding and pursuing a K–12 education system that empowers every family to choose the schooling environment that fits their children’s needs best. The EdChoice mission is to advance educational freedom and choice for all as a pathway to successful lives and a stronger society.

Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association

The mission of the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association, Inc. (ANSAA) is to maintain and enhance the quality of education within our diverse member schools. ANSAA membership allows schools the opportunity to be a part of a cooperative effort to improve education at the state and local levels.

Opportunity Arkansas

Our mission is to renew the Land of Opportunity by simplifying government and solving generational problems for the – next generation.

Catholic Education Partners

Catholic Education Partners (CEP) purpose is to partner with state Catholic conferences, Bishops and other clergy, Catholic school leaders and families, and other stakeholders to advance state policies that allow more families to access Catholic education, while protecting the autonomy and integrity of Catholic schools.

The Reform Alliance

In fulfilling our mission to create a parent and community lead network, The Reform Alliance relies on our Community Engagement Associates to build and maintain relationships with citizens statewide. We believe this grassroots approach is the best way to engage those willing to give of their time and resources to improve the quality of educational opportunities for children throughout Arkansas.

The Council for American Private Education

CAPE’s mission is to preserve and promote educational pluralism so that parents have a choice in the schooling of their children. Founded in 1971 to provide a coherent voice for private education, CAPE is dedicated to fostering communication and cooperation within the private school community and with the public sector to improve the quality of education for all of the nation’s children.

National Catholic Educational Association

NCEA is the largest, private professional education association in the world. NCEA works with Catholic educators to support ongoing faith formation and the teaching mission of the Catholic Church. Our membership includes nearly 140,000 educators serving 1.6 million students in Catholic education.

yes. every kid. foundation.

yes. every kid. foundation. promotes a bold vision of transforming education in America with a family-first approach, advocates for families in policy implementation and design, and defends families and innovative education entrepreneurs. We believe every kid is capable, is worthy of respect, and deserves educational opportunities that treat each kid with dignity, foster the free movement of ideas and promote self-actualization.

CACE

The Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE) is a vision of the Sid & Carol Verdoorn Foundation, Dordt University, and Christian school thought leaders from around the world. Our reason for being is to walk alongside Christian schools who are committed to teaching from a Biblical perspective. We exist for the sustainability, improvement, innovation, advocacy, and promotion of Christian education at all levels of learning.

The Heartland Christian Educators’ Convention will prove to strengthen and inspire attendees in their work and life through a variety of opportunities including networking, discussion, learning and worship.

Registration: Opens first week of September!

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lynn Swaner

Dr. Lynn Swaner is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at ACSI, where she leads initiatives and develops strategies to address compelling questions and challenges facing Christian education. Her first keynote will cover “Flourishing Together: Our Shared Purpose, Relationships, and Learning” and her second, “Keynote 2: Resources and Well-Being: From Enduring to Flourishing.”

For more information about keynote speaker Dr. Lynn Swaner, session descriptions, and conference information, visit heartlandchristianschools.com.

The CEA organization exists to:

1. Inspire, encourage, and support Christian educators
2. Build community
3. Provide opportunities for professional growth as reformed Christian educators
4. Provide opportunities for spiritual growth and encouragement.

Our Mission

The mission of the Christian Educators Association is to inspire and support Christian educators and encourage community by providing opportunities for spiritual and professional growth based on God’s Word.

Knowing about God is quite different from walking day to day with God.

Knowing about Christian Deeper Learning (CDL) is quite different from being able to engage your students in CDL.

Deeper Learning invites our students to be engaged in God’s story, equips them to play their unique role, and empowers them to apply knowledge and skills to produce real work that meets real needs of real people.

The purpose of this institute is: 

• To immerse you in a CDL experience that will equip you to provide a CDL experience for your students. It’s very hard to teach something with authenticity that you haven’t experienced yourself.
• To explore what it means to teach “Christianly” in all subjects and grade levels. Biblical integration sometimes happens in what we teach and sometimes in the way we learn together.
• To engage you with the curriculum, instructional practices, and assessment strategies that support CDL for all your students.
• To create a culture that encourages Christ-like character and invites the learner into God’s story.
• To refresh and renew your spirit in a pastoral setting – a mansion on a lake with outstanding hospitality and cuisine.

We are limited to 35 participants. Last year we had a waiting list. If you are interested, please register soon. You can also hold a place by selecting “pre-register” on the billing page. 

Register Here

Please consult this pamphlet for more information or contact Steven Levy if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you in Boston!