Indiana-based company Solution Tree has been hired to supply professional development training to educators and school districts in Arkansas through the LEARNS program, despite ongoing legislative audits and concerns about the effectiveness of their previous work in the state. The company was initially chosen in 2017 through a no-bid contract and continued to receive contracts until this year when a bid process was initiated. However, a study by the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy found that professional learning communities (PLCs), like the ones Solution Tree offers, did not show significant improvements in student achievement, particularly for economically disadvantaged students.
Following legislative inquiries into Solution Tree’s performance, Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva asked lawmakers to withdraw the new contract from consideration in May. The Department of Education later requested approval for a new process that would allow multiple qualified vendors to provide professional development services to school districts. Despite this change, concerns remain about the potential impact on student outcomes, as the study indicated that participating in Solution Tree’s PLC at Work program led to a decrease in academic achievement for students, especially economically disadvantaged ones.
The ongoing legislative audit is expected to provide further insights into Solution Tree’s work in Arkansas, with auditors anticipating a final report by the end of the year. While the company and 16 other vendors have been approved to provide professional development services, questions about the effectiveness of PLCs and Solution Tree’s approach to training educators persist. This development highlights the importance of monitoring and evaluating education programs to ensure that they effectively support student learning and growth.
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