The Office for Education policy strives to look at pressing issues through the lens of academic research.
OEP is one of several research centers within the College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas; our staff includes faculty members, research associates and graduate students who specialize in education research and policy. Opened in the fall of 2003, the Office for Education Policy (OEP) is one of several research centers within the College of Education and Health Prof
08/05/2026
Where are Arkansas teachers staying—and where are they leaving? Our latest blog breaks down teacher retention by subject area and highlights why understanding these differences matters for building a strong educator workforce. Read more: https://wordpressua.uark.edu/officeforeducationpolicy/arkansas-teacher-retention-by-subject-2026/
07/22/2026
Learn more about the Arkansas federal education waivers as Dr. Denise Airola explains the latest changes and what they mean.
Making Federal Education Dollars Work Better by Denise Airola, Ph.D. I can remember back to the days when I was teaching at Jefferson Elementary in the Fayetteville School District. Jefferson served a population where almost every student f…
07/15/2026
We love running into our friends at the ADE Summit! Every session has been packed with inspiration, practical ideas, and meaningful conversations. We're leaving energized and excited to bring what we've learned back to our schools. Thanks for another incredible Summit!
07/15/2026
Rethinking Chronic Absenteeism: Evidence from Student Voices https://oep.uark.edu/rethinking-chronic-absenteeism-evidence-from-student-voices/
06/26/2026
Check out this Blog from Dr. Josh McGee on the 2026 merit pay distribution in Arkansas.
Explaining the 2026 Arkansas Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program By Josh B. McGee The LEARNS Act (Act 237 of the 2023 Regular Session) established the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program—commonly known as Merit Pay—to recognize and reward Arkansas’s outstanding…
06/19/2026
06/18/2026
ATLAS test results are out! Check out our blog on the results for 2026! Are We Beginning to See the Promise of ATLAS? - https://oep.uark.edu/are-we-beginning-to-see-the-promise-of-atlas/
06/15/2026
PLC Data Team Interactive Zoom Sessions – Registration Need support navigating Atlas data? Our PLC Data Team Interactive Zoom Sessions provide hands-on guidance, collaborative problem-solving, and expert answers tailored to your team’s questions. These interactive sessions are designed for school and district teams ready to dig into their Atlas result...
06/19/2026