HOPE – The Hope Academy of Public Service in the Hope Public School District is among 175 schools across Arkansas to receive a monetary award from the state for academic growth; and, HAPS has also been named an “A” rating school under new state guidelines for public school accountability.\r\n
\r\n“We are all proud of the work our HAPS students, parents, and staff have put in to create such a wonderful environment and results,” Hope Superintendent Bobby Hart said. “It is proof that all of our students can succeed at high levels when they are supported by teachers, parents, and community.”\r\n
\r\nHart said the distinction is unique in Hempstead County.\r\n
\r\n“HAPS is the only school in the county to receive this level of recognition, and it is an example of what is growing throughout our district,” he said. “All of our students and campuses are capable of similar success.”\r\n
\r\nHe said academic and discipline accountability are key elements to such success.\r\n
\r\n“The level of success demonstrated by HAPS is possible and likely if we hold students and families to similar standards, and work with them to help students excel,” Hart said. \r\n
\r\nHe said the accolade for HAPS Principal Dr. Carol Ann Duke, the HAPS faculty and students reflects community commitment.\r\n
\r\n“On behalf of Dr. Duke, and her staff and students, I want to thank our entire community for the support and energy it has poured into our HAPS program,” Hart said. “I also want to challenge our community and our other campuses to strive for similar success.”\r\n
\r\nThe HAPS campus will share in some $6.9 million to be distributed by the Arkansas Department of Education under the Arkansas School Recognition Program. HAPS is among the top 6-10 percent of schools demonstrating academic growth or student academic performance, based upon criteria set by the Arkansas Board of Education.\r\n
\r\nThose campuses will receive $50 per student, based upon current enrollment, from the general ADE award. HAPS will receive $7,229.88, based upon an enrollment of 153 students.\r\n
\r\n“The teachers and students who have earned this award for their schools have demonstrated the practical value of diligent study,” Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson said in making the announcement. “We all appreciate the pleasure of a ‘bonus’ for our hard work.”\r\n
\r\nHutchinson said the award represents campuses that are showing academic leadership in Arkansas.\r\n
\r\n“Your devotion to teaching and learning now ensures a strong workforce and well-educated leadership for Arkansas tomorrow,” he said.\r\n
\r\nFunds received under the program must be used for faculty and staff bonuses, educational equipment and materials, or personnel to assist with continued improvement, according to the announcement. A committee on each campus, composed of the principal, an elected faculty member, and representative of a Parent-Teacher Association or equivalent organization, will determine how the funds are to be used.\r\n
\r\nHAPS was also named an “A” rating school under the new A to F rating system for campuses statewide.\r\n
\r\nUnder the new guidelines, HAPS is among 46 of 204 middle school level campuses to receive the “A” rating, based upon data from the 2016-2017 academic year as required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.\r\n
\r\nAcross the 1,040 public and charter school campuses at all grade levels in Arkansas, 163 schools received an “A” rating, according to the state report. The reports reflect factors such as academic achievement and growth, graduation rates, school quality and student success as defined through stakeholder, educator, and student feedback gathered by the ADE.\r\n
