Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smart Start? Top | Back to FAQs
Smart Start is a comprehensive approach to improving reading and mathematics achievement for students in Grades K-4. The goal of Smart Start is to have all children meet or exceed grade-level requirements in reading and mathematics by Grade 4.

Is there a state law mandating Smart Start? Top | Back to FAQs
While there is no specific legislation mandating Smart Start, there are laws and rules that support the initiative. The components found in Smart Start can be found in the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP). Acts 35 and 1467 of 2003 addresses ACTAAP.

Why does Smart Start focus so heavily on reading and mathematics? Top | Back to FAQs
While Smart Start does focus on reading and mathematics, this does not diminish the importance of other subject areas, such as social studies, science, etc. A student's proficiency in these areas is key to his or her future success. In the elementary grades, it is important that a student be proficient in reading and math, because he or she will need those fundamental skills to succeed in the upper grades.

How is Smart Start different from what the Department has done
in the past? Top | Back to FAQs
The difference between pervious programs and Smart Start is that Smart Start is NOT a program. It is a comprehensive, common sense approach to improving student achievement. Smart Start focuses on increasing opportunities for professional development for teachers; setting clear, easy-to-understand and challenging academic standards for students; increasing accountability for all schools and students; and most importantly, working to make certain that ALL students leave the fourth-grade classroom able to do fourth-grade level work.

Can schools opt not to participate in Smart Start? Top | Back to FAQs
The professional development component of Smart Start is optional. The remaining components - standards, student assessment, and accountability - are mandatory. Since Smart Start is in reality the K-4 component of ACTAAP, the same answer applies to activities in Grades 5-12. Without meaningful professional development, however, schools cannot expect to be successful in raising levels of student achievement.

Does Smart Start require that students take standardized tests? Top | Back to FAQs
While there is no specific legislation mandating Smart Start, the components found in Smart Start can be found in the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP). Acts 35 and 1467 of 2003 addresses ACTAAP. The ACTAAP calls for Benchmark Exams, which are criterion-referenced tests (CRTs). These exams are customized around the academic standards in the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks and are developed by committees of Arkansas teachers. The CRT's are administered to establish the level of student achievement on the state academic standards and to compare the level of student achievement with the expected performance levels set by the State Board of Education. Arkansas will administer the Benchmark Exams in Grades 3-8.

Are all students in Grades K-4 required to take standardized tests? Top | Back to FAQs
Yes, all students in are expected to participate in the regular administration of the Benchmark Exams or Alternate Assessments. All students in Grades K-4 are expected to participate in the norm-referenced testing program unless otherwise specified in an IEP.

What if students are not scoring at the proficient level in Grades K-4 as demonstrated on the Benchmark Exams or school selected assessments? Top | Back to FAQs
As stated in the ACTAAP, students not scoring at grade level shall have an academic improvement plan addressing areas of deficiency.

How does Smart Start impact on middle school and high school students? Top | Back to FAQs
Increasing reading and mathematics achievement at the lower grades will create a strong foundation for greater academic success at the upper grades. The Benchmark Exams will ensure that students are academically prepared for the transition into middle level and high school education. The End-of-Course Exams will be administered to students at the completion of courses in algebra and geometry. The End-of-Course Exams will more closely monitor the academic progress at the high school level.

How can parents support the Smart Start Initiative? Top | Back to FAQs
Parental involvement is a key ingredient to improving Arkansas' public education system. Some steps parents can take to help improve their children's academic performance include:

• Reading to preschool children at least 20 minutes a day.
• Limiting TV viewing to no more than two hours a day.
• Knowing what kind of homework is expected from teachers, and making sure children complete it.
• Providing children with a regular, quiet place where he/she can do homework.
• Support school efforts to develop and maintain rules for student discipline.

While these are only a few suggestions, each parent should visit his or her child's school to find out about other ways to support his or her child and the school system's efforts to implement high, rigorous academic standards.

How can business people support Smart Start? Top | Back to FAQs
Support from the private business sector has always been important to public education in Arkansas. Some of the steps business people can take to support Smart Start include:

• Helping teachers and administrators understand that the ability to think, write and reason clearly - and the ability to solve problems - are the skills that employers seek.
• Asking local schools how they can better assist schools in the ongoing efforts to increase student achievement. This can mean volunteering to serve on school committees or task forces, serving as a volunteer in a school, or making presentations to various classes.
• Providing opportunities for students and their teachers to visit the workplace. This will help students understand the demands that will be placed upon them one day.
• Making it convenient for employees who have children in the local school to attend parent conferences and other significant school activities during the day.
• Highlighting the involvement of parents and employees in the business' s internal and external communication.
• Donating equipment, expertise or money toward helping the school or school district help each student's academic improvement.