Dr. Charity F. Smith

113 Willow Grove Road,

Sherwood Arkansas 72120

501-442-3480

Charitysmith.99@comcast.net

Objective

Proven, visionary, and results focused former Assistant Commissioner/Superintendent of Education, in Arkansan and current Principal Education Associate at Fetterman &Associates seeking to continuously improve academic performance by leading the researched-based systemic changes, intellectual renaissance,  professional development, and innovative educational policy initiatives necessary to ensure that students are prepared for post-secondary education, careers, and life in the twenty-first century global economy.

Areas of Expertise: Executive Educational Leadership

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Principal Education Associate, at Fetterman & Associates, a national and international evaluation consulting firm providing highly requested, innovative embedded educational leadership training  to educators and policy makers.

Executive educational leader serving as Assistant Commissioner of Education for the state of Arkansas,  Division of Academic Accountability, collaboratively responsible for 1100 schools, 18 Open Enrollment Public Charter Schools, 244 school districts, and 465,000 students. 

• Strong collaborative, systemic leadership skills in educational leadership and supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations related to education.
• Creative, visionary, strategic planning and goal setting abilities.
• Sound fiscal management, program monitoring, school accreditation, and school improvement skills.
• Extensive legislative, state board, rule promulgation, and community relations skills and expertise.
• Comprehensive teacher licensure, personnel recruitment, and teacher quality development skills.
• Considerable organizational and problem solving skills based on detailed data analysis.
• Policy development, rule promulgation skills, public hearings, and community engagement expertise.
• Research, large-scale assessment management, data collection, growth model design, accountability, and data analysis skills.
• Curriculum development, academic standards development, and instructional experience.
• Broad public speaking, persuasion, and presentation expertise.
• Ability to inspire employees to achieve the highest level.

Accomplishments

• Provided executive leadership for the Division of Academic Accountability as Arkansas received one of the highest national accountability ratings in the nation, Education Week (January 2011).
• Collaboratively worked with educational stakeholders to help create and implement accountable, academic achievement initiatives, ranking Arkansas 6^th nationally by Education Week (January 2011).  
• Pioneered the initiative to become the first state in the nation to “set standards” on a value-added longitudinal growth model designed to continuously improve academic performance and close academic achievement gaps.
• Organized and led the first National Technical Advisory Committees on Educational Accountability and Assessment in Arkansas to ensure that the Arkansas Assessment and Accountability System remained technically sound and legally defensible; also recognized as an invited symposium trainer for growth models which included an international measurement audience at the (2009) National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME).
• Served as chief  researcher in an afterschool project, successfully conducting a four-year (2005-2009) research study to find ways to help students improve academic performance especially on college and career assessments, which resulted in more than 30 students receiving scholarships, internships, and fellowships to study at major colleges and universities.
• Pioneered the first Academic Fitness Center for students to have access to a facility which allows them the opportunity to rigorously and regularly exercise their intellect during after-school hours.
• Assisted with the creation and development of one of the first nationally approved state accountability plans and plan for measuring academic growth mandated by the U.S. Department of Education through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. 
• Developed and conducted professional development activities related to improving academic growth, annual performance ratings and student performance for schools, community groups, educational organizations, parents, districts, educational cooperatives, regional and national organizations.
• Planned, organized and directed the initiatives that resulted in the creation of TEACHArkansas, the alliance with Just for the Kids, and the establishment of the first Arkansas Teacher Job Fairs.
• Created and implemented the court-ordered Project Management Tool presented monthly to the court, Arkansas General Assembly and Arkansas State Board, and implemented compliance reporting and strategic actions which resulted in the State remaining in substantial compliance with the Pulaski Desegregation Settlement Agreement.
• Led the initiative to help provide assistance and instructional and academic capacity building opportunities to help turn around thirty-two academically distressed districts in the state while helping to move the distribution of performance in the state to record levels at every grade level and content area.
• Provided research and testimony to support the passage of legislative policies in assessment, college and career readiness, fiscal equity, standards for accreditation, teacher quality, accountability and data tracking. 
  

Education and relevant Training

CCSSO and Renaissance Leaning Consortium: Washington D.C.

Using Interim Assessments to Predict Student Proficiency

Training Completed 2007

George Washington University School of Business:  Council on Education in Management

Certificate in Internal Investigations

Completed December 2006

Education Testing Service (ETS), Princeton, New Jersey

Advanced Training: Value-Added Growth Models: Issues and Challenges

Training Completed, 2004

Stanford University School of Education, Palo Alto, California       

MA Policy Analysis and Evaluation Program.

Advanced Studies: Turning Around Low Performing School Districts

Certificate of Completion, 2002

Stanford University School of Education, Palo Alto, California

Advanced Studies: Leadership Institute for School Turnaround

Certificate of Completion, 2001

Harvard University Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Summer Institutes: Focus on Accountability

Certificate of Completion, 2000

University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas

Major:  Educational Administration and Supervision / International Who’s Who of Professionals

Dissertation: The Relationship Between the Measured Level of Implementation of Total Quality Management in Public Schools and Leadership Style

Doctorate Degree, 1998 Honor Graduate

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Leadership: An Evolving Vision / Nominated to attend the Principal’s Institute, 1990

Certificate of Completion, 1990

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

M. A. Degree, Education, 1981 Honor Graduate

Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities

University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

B. A. Degree, English and Speech, Magna Cum Laude Graduate

Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities

Professional Positions

Fetterman& Associates

Principal Education Associate, 2011-Present

Arkansas Department of Education

Assistant Commissioner, 2006-2011

ACCELERATED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY (Afterschool Academic Fitness Center)

Executive Director, 2005-Present

Arkansas State Board of Education

Director, Academic Accountability, 2004-2006

Arkansas Department of Education

State Assistant Director, 1999-2004

Associate Director/Education Lead Planner for Desegregation, 1994-1999

Little Rock School District

Principal, Southwest Jr. High School, 1988-1994

Vice-Principal, J. A. Fair High School, 1987-1988

Special Education Teacher/Department Chairperson, Hall High School; Booker Jr. High, 1979-1987

DeValls Bluff Public Schools

Special Education Teacher/Coordinator, 1978-1979

Shorter College

Adult Education Director, 1978-1979

Detailed Description of Positions

Principal Education Associate

Fetterman@Associates International,   2011-Present

Responsibilities include providing visible and proactive educational services for the following:

• Systemic academic achievement, assessment for learning, standards, accountability, research, school improvement, data analysis and reporting.
• Curriculum, standards, instructional enhancement, school improvement and closing achievement gap and school transformation.
• Professional development and leadership training, capacity building, support and outreach training for teachers, school leaders and school board members.
• Strategic planning and use of data for longitudinal tracking and growth modeling, data analysis, data frameworks, and support for federal and state initiatives including ESEA, Common Core, and IDEA.
• Parent outreach and community training support and development.
• College and career readiness enhancements, including instructional capacity to ensure students are prepared with non-negotiable skills necessary for success in the 21th century.
• Consultative services for student academic support and organizational turnaround.
• Educational empowerment evaluations for school environments, school programs and practices to help schools identify successes and weaknesses and develop a framework for successful.

Accomplishments:

• Provided executive leadership to the Education Division of Fetterman &Associates (Fetterman & Associates provide evaluation services nationally and internationally).
• Highly recommended to serve on a national educational forum focusing on the role of Housing and Education, (Presentations will build on the five-year, $25 million dollar How Housing Matters initiative supported by the MacArthur Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Presented  inter-disciplinary new research and case studies to inform both policymakers and practitioners. This strategic initiative exploring housing as a platform for education, health and economic opportunity.
• Provided workshops and technical assistance training, focusing on educational turnaround for persistently low performing schools.
• Created customized embedded professional development activities for all clients
• Successfully help all clients to improve student achievement and Increase academic performance
• Provided innovative embedded educational leadership training to educators and policy makers.

Assistant Commissioner

Arkansas Department of Education, 2006-2011

Responsibilities:

Responsible for the overall operation of the Accountability Division and the transformation of data collection, management, and reporting processes that direct the statewide academic accountability system leading to continuous improvement in overall academic performance statewide. Provide executive leadership in instruction, assessment, accountability and data management to educational leaders across the state.  Implement and provide collaborative leadership for the state Assessment and Accountability Act.  Provide technical assistance and training of policy makers, local district superintendents, regional cooperative directors, central office administrators, parents and other educational partners using data to improve academic performance and achieve accountability goals. Provide leadership in the use of data for decision-making and policy development that meets the needs of the Arkansas State Board of Education, Arkansas General Assembly and Arkansas public school districts.  Manage and oversee work done by external psychometric, statistical, and accountability contractors and technical advisory committee.  Supervise the Offices of Civil Rights Compliance, Complaint Investigations, Academic Accountability and Achievement, Data Reporting, Data Analysis and Research, Desegregation, Education Lead Planning, and Equity.   Led the initiative to ensure that the Arkansas would produce a transparent and reliable annual performance report and highlighted academic increases in performance in Arkansas to local, state and national organizations.

Accomplishments:

Recommended by the Governor of Arkansas and unanimously approved, by the Arkansas State Board of Education, as the first Assistant Commissioner of Education in Academic Accountability.

Coordinated initiatives that helped Arkansas to rank 6th in Nation on the 2011 Annual Quality Counts Report published by Education Week and helped Arkansas gain positive recognition on the national forefront for implementing rigorous standards for learning and academic accountability.

• Produced an Annual Performance Report for more than 450,000 parents.
• Trained all superintendents, central office staff, policy makers and other educational stakeholders on the Accountability Gain and Growth Model.
• Publicly reported each school’s performance annually based on seven indicators of performance, which included: Achievement, retention, choice, fiscal management, demographics, discipline and student access.
• Invited as a trainer in state growth model designs at the National Council on Measurement in Education.
• Co-authored current Developments K-12 Education: Near and Long Term Trends (2007); Co-authored the Setting of Standards for the Arkansas Accountability Rating System.
• Appointed to national boards and commissions interested in improving student performance.
• Helped to ensure that public policy, ratings and other measures of performance were data driven and standards-based.
• Led and trained a team of more than one hundred Department of Education staff members on compliance investigations.
• Provided technical assistance in the drafting of landmark legislation for members of the Arkansas General Assembly.
• Made district, state and national presentations on improving achievement in sub-group populations.
• Wrote and edited administrative policy directives for dissemination to all Arkansas public school district superintendents and educational leaders.
• Conducted research on innovative strategies to improve student performance on college readiness exams.
• Assisted in organizing the nationally televised event of the 50th Anniversary of the “Little Rock Nine” and co-hosted the national event that placed statues of the Little Rock Nine on the Arkansas State Capitol.
• Selected to make four national presentations on improving college and career readiness for the Council of Chief State Officers after receiving consistently high rating for pervious presentations.

Director, Academic Accountability,   2004-2006

Arkansas State Board of Education

Responsibilities:

Successfully led the legislatively mandated State Academic Accountability Oversight Division. Provided independent and objective programmatic academic and financial reporting on all school districts in the state. Supervised and ensured that the administration of Arkansas Accountability System (which included state and national norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments, including Iowa Test of Basic Skills Stanford 9, ACT, SAT, NAEP, and the ACTAAP Assessments), remained technically sound and legally defensible. Ensured that the Arkansas Department of Education remained in substantial compliance with state and federal laws and guidelines for desegregation, accountability, and data quality management. Conducted independent monitoring, training and compliance visits.  Led the effort to ensure that test security was not compromised.

Accomplishments:

• Approved unanimously to be promoted by the State Board of Education as Director of Academic Accountability.
• Implemented the landmark Arkansas Accountability legislation that established the independent Office of Accountability.
• Organized and led the first legislatively appointed Advisory Council on Educational Accountability in Arkansas.
• Participated in the review of research to help create the Smart Core Curriculum, recommended the additional algebra requirement for graduation, and provided videoconference training to districts and educational cooperatives.
• Participated on the Assessment Technical Advisory Committee for the development, research and planning to vertically scale the criterion referenced assessments, and led the Accountability Technical Advisory Committee in the development of value-added calculations for the Arkansas Accountability Rating System.
• Participated with the organization and development of the Act 35 Steering Committee on Assessment and Accountability.
• Provided accurate and timely technical reports of progress to the Courts, Governor’s Office, Arkansas General Assembly and the general public.
• Ensured that our state standards for student achievement were among the highest and most visionary in the nation.
• Helped Arkansas to become one of the first states in the country to get a valid and reliable growth model approved federally.
• Ensured that all school districts taught at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course after drafting initial legislation. As a result a study released by The College Board indicated that “Arkansas leads the nation in increasing student achievement on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.”

State Assistant Director

Arkansas Department of Education, 1999 -2004                

Responsibilities:

Successfully led the State’s Accountability Program and Section. Supervised and ensured that the administration of Arkansas Assessment System, which includes state and national norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments, including Iowa Test of Basic Skills Stanford 9, ACT, SAT, NAEP, and the ACTAAP Assessments remain technically sound and legally defensible.  Ensured that the ADE remained in substantial compliance with state and federal laws and guidelines for desegregation, licensure, limited English proficiency, assessment, teacher quality and accountability. Revised academic standards and sharpened the focus on increased student performance. Established and maintained the professional licensure and performance-based licensure systems.  Assisted with serving the needs of limited English proficiency and minority students.  Served on the Technical Advisory Committees on Accountability and Assessment.  Led the teacher recruitment, teacher quality and retention efforts in the Department.  Ensured that all school districts in Arkansas met and maintained the Standards for Accreditation.  Recruited, led, supervised, trained and evaluated the professional staff in the following units:  Academic Standards and Assessments, Programs for Language Minority Students, Standards Assurance, Desegregation, Professional Licensure, Professional Quality Enhancement, Teacher Recruitment, and Educational Accountability.  Drafted educational rules, Director’s Memorandums and administrative policy.  Provided professional development in accountability, assessments, standards, licensure, data analysis, and improving student performance for schools, districts and educational organizations around the state. Directed the creation of Teach/Arkansas.

Accomplishments:

• Approved unanimously by the State Board of Education and promoted by the State Director as an Assistant State Director for the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Held districts accountable for achievement and accreditation standards, and participated with Smart Start and Smart Step initiatives.
• Provided vision and leadership for the first compliance monitoring review, as a result of the Omnibus Act of 2003, which identified schools on probation for compliance violations.
• Organized the state’s first national forum on Turning Around Low Performing Schools.
• Assisted with the creation and development of one of the first nationally approved State Accountability Plans mandated by the U.S. Department of Education through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. 
• Assisted with development and reporting on student performance in Arkansas which resulted in improved national grades received on the Nation’s Report Card for Performance in Standards/Accountability and Teacher Quality.  Grades received from Education Week’s Quality Counts for Arkansas improved two letter grades in these areas in 2003.  Also, helped to ensure that grades received in 2005 in Teacher Quality were among the highest in the nation.
• Helped establish the first nationally recognized teacher recruitment center at the Arkansas Department of Education.
• Participated in initiatives that resulted in substantial improvement of statewide student achievement on state-mandated assessments.
• Wrote and edited administrative policy directives for dissemination to all Arkansas public school district superintendents and educational leaders.
• Provided technical assistance necessary to assist in the removal of thirty-two school districts from Academic Distress by helping them focus on teaching and learning to significantly increase student performance.
• Developed and was consistently invited to conduct professional development activities related to improving instructional practices and student performance through the Arkansas Comprehensive Assessment, Testing and Accountability Program for more than two hundred schools, community groups, educational organizations, districts, and educational cooperatives.
• Provided fiscal leadership in the administration of state, federal, and grant funds and budgets for the general operating budget and the Public School Fund Budget in Accountability.
• Assisted with the development of state-mandated curriculum standards and frameworks and helped to recruit the first National Technical Advisory Committee for the Arkansas Assessment System.
• Directed the disaggregated achievement data and conducted achievement institutes for school districts in Arkansas and surrounding states.
• Researched, field tested, and developed “Seven Steps for Increasing Academic Performance in Public Schools.”
• Coordinated the automation of professional licensure system.  Researched, recommended and helped with the establishment of the professional Quality Enhancement and Teacher Recruitment Units, and provided oversight for the first Title II Performance Report on the performance of Teacher Education Programs in Arkansas through professional licensure initiatives with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) and the Teacher Licensure Board.
• Directed, drafted and edited specific initial education legislation. Researched, wrote amendments, rules and regulations, and conducted public hearings for Legislative Acts for the 82^nd, 83^rd, 84^th, and 85^th Arkansas General Assemblies.
• Investigated and helped to establish innovative programs in Arkansas including Just for the Kids and TEACHArkansas, and Arkansas Teacher/Administrator Job Fairs.
• Participated continuously in relevant professional development related to No Child Left Behind, Teacher Quality, Accountability, Value-added growth models, Empowerment Evaluation, desegregation, assessment, academic standards, instructional learning teaching and learning strategies.

Associate Director/Education Lead Planner for Desegregation

Arkansas Department of Education, 1994-1999

Responsibilities:

Responsible for the overall leadership and operation of the State’s Desegregation Monitoring Plan and Desegregation Monitoring staff. Coordinated, disseminated and implemented ADE’s court-ordered Implementation Plan by operating the monthly Project Management Report (PMT) and maintaining a detailed record of the ADE’s progress toward compliance with desegregation responsibilities.  Provided monthly reports for the Governor, Arkansas Legislative Desegregation Oversight Committee, Arkansas State Board, Office of Desegregation Monitoring (ODM), Knight Interveners, Joshua Interveners, Magnet Review Committee, and school officials in the three districts in Pulaski County.  Provided technical assistance to educators in various districts across the state with recommendations for improving academic achievement.

Accomplishments:

• Recruited by the ADE Director and approved by the State Board as the Education Lead Planner.
• Directed and coordinated the first desegregation monitoring initiative and process for the ADE and led the minority recruitment plan and initiative.
• Assisted with the development of the former Extended Comprehensive Outcomes Evaluation (ECOE) process, and the Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Process. 
• Developed research-based qualitative monitoring instruments and trained ADE staff in qualitative data collection.
• Provided staff development on how to use data to improve student learning and reduce achievement disparities.
• Complied with all Court mandates resulting in a Court ruling that the ADE was in substantial compliance with the Pulaski County Settlement Agreement, and wrote the monthly desegregation Project Management Report.
• Disaggregated test data and collaboratively directed the technical assistance initiatives for schools in academic distress.
• Provided technical assistance consistently to educators in various districts across the state on how to improve academic achievement.
• Collaborated with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) to analyze and address racial disparities in the allocation of scholarships.
• Informed the Arkansas State Board of Education about the progress of schools and districts involved in Desegregation litigation.

Principal

Southwest Jr. High School - Little Rock School District, 1988-1994

Responsibilities:

Responsible for improving school performance at the most at-risk school in the district.  Supervised, led, and coordinated school operation while demonstrating instructional leadership.  Supervised, led and evaluated a staff of eighty certified and classified staff and seven hundred and fifty students.  Implemented the mission of the school district, monitored instructional delivery practices, and managed the school budget.  Directed professional development activities for certified and classified staff. 

Accomplishments:

• Recruited and promoted by the Superintendent to serve as the youngest Principal in Little Rock.
• Directed the first local school Restructuring Project in the Little Rock School District through the New Futures Initiative for the development of middle schools.
• Implemented the school vision, mission and directed the implementation of the concepts of Turning Points.
• Demonstrated commitment to student achievement and high academic standards.
• Improved the academic performance of students.  Southwest Jr. High School was rated in the top 10% at the end of my tenure.
• Facilitated the selection of Southwest Jr. High School as the site for the signing of the Academic Challenge Scholarship because of increased student performance on state-mandated assessments.
• Increased parental support of the school programs by more than 50% and won awards for increased parental participation.
• Created partnerships with business leaders, social and civic groups.

Vice Principal

J.A. Fair High School - Little Rock School District, 1987-1988

Responsibilities:

Responsible for providing instructional leadership.  Recruited/evaluated teachers and staff members.  Provided fiscal management and leadership.  Served as Director of Curriculum, instruction and professional development.   Assumed the duties of the principal, during the absence of the principal.  Supervised the assistant principals.   Participated as a member of the administrative team that served a student body of twelve hundred (1200).

Accomplishments:

• Promoted by the Superintendent to Vice Principal.
• Established a school-wide focus on continuous school improvement and student achievement.
• Developed and implemented the School Improvement Plan.
• Assisted with developing and revising Student and Teacher Handbooks.  
• Developed research-based professional development programs/plans.
• Developed school and community partnerships.

Special Education Teacher/Department Chairperson

Little Rock School District - Hall High and Booker Jr. High, 1979-1987

Responsibilities:

Supervised and coordinated the activities of the Special Education Department.  Maintained and monitored all due process records and tailored lessons to meet individual student needs.  Assessed student performance and served as a consultant for classroom teachers, specialists, and parents.

Accomplishments:

• Demonstrated the ability to effectively advocate for the needs of exceptional children and became certified and served as a Demonstration Model Teacher and Trainer.
• Presented at State and National Conferences on “Successful Learning Strategies for Students with Disabilities.”
• Created a model teaching and learning laboratory for teachers.
• Promoted as Department Chair and Special Education Coordinator.

Special Education Teacher/Coordinator

DeValls Bluff Public Schools, DeValls Bluff, AR, 1978-1979

Responsibilities:

Supervised and instructed students.  Provided initial screening, testing, and established the due process procedures.  Wrote Individual Educational Programs. Purchased books, materials and adaptive materials.  Established communication with parents and advocacy groups.  

Accomplishments:

• Established the first Special Education Department for secondary students.
• Reviewed achievement data and tailored instruction to address individual student needs
• Created a safe and orderly learning environment.

Adult Education Director/Teacher

Shorter College, North Little Rock, AR, 1978-1979

Responsibilities:

Wrote the grant that established the Adult Education Center.  Provided academic testing of applicants.  Purchased books and materials. Supervised/instructed students and reported on academic gains.  Monitored budgets and grant funding. Wrote public service announcements and grants. 

Accomplishments:

• Increased the academic achievement of students.
• Conducted program evaluation.
• Implemented the first Adult Education Program at the college.
• Developed professional development activities for adult learners

Current Arkansas Licensure

Community Service 

• Provided more, than three thousands volunteer hours of differentiated tutoring, mentoring, leadership and scholarship assistance during the past four years.  Also, provided leadership training to more than one hundred emerging leaders during community-based leadership institutes for a local non-profit group.

• Served as Facilitator of the Arkansas Black Caucus Think Tank which serves to convene non-partisan, diverse community groups focused on issues related to the health, legal, education, economics, and welfare of all Arkansans, in order to think creatively and collectively about relevant issues and to bring noteworthy solutions to the attention of policy makers.

Founded the Intercessory Educational Excellence Foundation to provide prescriptive academic assistance to underperforming students.

• Assisted students, including twelve pre-med students from Dillard University, displaced to Arkansas by Hurricane Katrina, for more than eighteen months by helping students to enroll in Arkansas Colleges and Universities, and access tutorial, housing and fiscal support.

• Co-hosted the national historical unveiling of statues of the “Little Rock Nine” at the Arkansas State Capitol, developed the Statewide Art and Literary Contest in collaboration with members of the Arkansas General Assembly involving every high school in the state in  the celebration of the 50^th Commeration of the Integration of Central High School.

• Served as the Educational Facilitator for the Education and Workforce Leadership Task Force (2007-2008) Pine Bluff 20/20, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Selected Special Awards and Recognitions

2011              Received one of the highest Rating in the Nation (Education Week) Standards and Accountability

2010              Alliance for Excellent Education, Secondary School Improvement Advisory Group, member

2010              ACT National Facilitator: State Collaborative and ACT Council President

2009               Selected National Facilitator for ACT State Collaborative

2008              Arkansas ACT Council, President-Elect

2008              Intercessory Excellence Foundation, Founder

2008              13^th Annual WorldFest, Judge for art and literary contest entries

2007              Appointed to the Daisy Bates Commission

2007              Semifinalist for Broad Foundation Urban Leadership

2007              Appointed to Council of Chief State School Officers: Large Scale Assessment Board

2007              Appointed to Curriculum Board Arkansas STAND Foundation

2007              Appointed Facilitator, Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus Think Tank

2007              Opening panelist, National Large Scale Assessment Conference (two consecutive years)

2006              Outstanding Executive Leadership Award Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus for the creation of the Think Tank

2006              Accelerated Academic Achievement Academy, Founder

2005               Recognized by the Arkansas Senate for assistance with Senate Resolution SR 19

2005              Selected to serve on the Arkansas Student Loan Authority Committee

2005              Featured speaker, Conway Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Celebration

2005              Selected as Executive Board Member of the University of Arkansas Policy Foundation

2004              Selected as Keynote Speaker and Trainer for the Toronto Public Education System, Toronto, Canada

2003              Featured speaker, Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Leadership Conference, Town Hall Meeting

2003              Served on the Broad Foundation for Urban Education Selection Committee for the Highest Performing School District in the U.S.

2003              Received the Education Brain Trust Award 2002              Received Feed the Children Certificate of Accomplishment

2002              Nominated as Boss of the Year Arkansas, State Employees Association

2002         Selected as the only Arkansas Coca-Cola Scholars Distinguished Judge

2000              Selected as Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecturer

1998              Nominated to Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities

1998              University of Arkansas, Salute to Excellence Award

1997              International Who’s Who Among Professionals

1996              Phi Delta Kappa Membership Award

1994              Distinguished Leadership Award for Desegregation

1992              School Featured on Educational Edge, Channel 11, for student achievement

1992              Selected as Special Page to President-Elect Bill Clinton during the National Economic Summit in Little Rock

1990               School chosen as the site for the signing of the Academic Challenge Scholarship Act

Selected Major Publications and Technical Reports

Smith, C. F.,  Huynh, H., Kennedy, E., & Fisher, T.  (2011). Policy, technical, and operational issues for the Arkansas gains model. Presented at Arkansas Department of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas

 Huynh, H., Kennedy, E., Fisher, T., & Smith, C.  F. (2007).   Initial policy, technical, and operational issues for the Arkansas gains model. Presented at Arkansas Department of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F., Clement, R., Fine, S., Gardner, A., Gross, J., Harden, C. et al. (2007). Current developments in k-12 education:  Near and longer term trends. Washington, DC:  Thompson Publishing.

Smith, C. F. (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, editions).  Arkansas annual performance report.  Presented at Arkansas Department of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Huynh, H., Kennedy, E., Fisher, T., & Smith, C. F. (2006).  Policy, technical, and operational issues for school accountability on status. Presented at Large Scale Assessment Conference for the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO).  Nashville, Tennessee.

Smith, C. F. (2006). Value added accountability systems.Presented at Arkansas State Board of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2006). Arkansas smart core.Presented at Arkansas State Board of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2005). Profiles of the three school districts in Pulaski County: Baseline performance and statistical data. Tech. Rep. No.3. Presented at Implementation Phase Working Group Arkansas Department of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2005).  Creating and sustaining think tanks.Presented at Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004). Lessons learned: School desegregation at Hoxie. Presented at the 50^th Anniversary Celebration on Desegregation. Hoxie, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004).   Fiscal impact study: Educational renewal zones.  Presented at the House Education Committee, Arkansas General Assembly, Second Extraordinary Session of 2003.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Fetterman, D., & Smith, C. F.  (2003). Improving student performance: Partnering for success: Interim report on districts in phase III.  Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Fetterman, D., & Smith, C. F.  (2003). Improving student performance: Partnering for success: Interim report on districts in phase III.  Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.                                                                                   

Fetterman, D., & Smith, C. F.  (2002). Improving student performance: Partnering for success: Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2002). Building the capacity to improve student performance: Annual progress report on districts in academic distress.  Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education. Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2002). The current status of school districts in academic distress in Arkansas. Presented to the Joint Interim Oversight Committee on Education Reform.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2001). Building the capacity to improve student achievement: Annual progress report on districts in academic distress. Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2001). Project management tool (PMT):  Summary of the Arkansas Department of Education’s progress in compliance with the provisions of the implementation plan for desegregation. Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2001). Seven steps for improving academic achievement in public schools. Presented at the meeting of the McRat Institute.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. & Maddox, B. (2000). Conquering academic distress: Annual progress report on districts in academic distress. Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2000). Academic achievement in Arkansas. Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas ACT Council.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

 Smith, C. F.  (1998). The relationship between the measured levels of implementation of total quality management in public schools and leadership style. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Arkansas.  Little Rock, Arkansas.

Selected Presentations – National and International                                         

Smith, C. F. (2011, November). National Forum: “How Housing Matters in Education.” MacArthur Foundation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.

Smith, C. F. (2009, July). New voices, new visions: Teaching for tomorrow today.  National Board for Teaching Standards (NBPTS), Atlanta, Georgia.

Smith, C. F. Weeks, P., Morris, W., & Morris, J.  (2009, June). The forgotten middle: Access and opportunity starts early.   Council of Chief State School Officer’s National Conference (CCSSO) on Student Assessment, Los Angeles, California.

Smith, C. F. (2009, June). Arkansas preparedness/readiness initiatives. Council of Chief State School Officers National Conference on Student Assessment, Los Angeles, California.

Smith, C.F., Guinn, M., & Menebach, E. (2009, June). Transforming an urban district with formative assessments.  Council of Chief State School Officers National Conference on Student Assessment, Los Angeles, California.

Smith, C. F. Blair, M., Kirst M. (2009, June). The national context of postsecondary preparedness. Council of Chief State School Officers National Conference on Student Assessment, Los Angeles, California.

Smith, C. F.  (November, 2008).  Turning around low performing schools.  Presented at the 19^th Education Trust National Conference, Arlington, Virginia.

Smith, C. F.  (2008, July).  Informing legislative policy through think tank development. Invited Symposium, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Smith, C. F.  (2008, June). Transforming education for the 21^st century: Measuring academic achievement gains in Arkansas.  Education Commission of States (ECS). National Forum on Education, Austin, Texas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, May). People + purpose + passion = pathway to performance.   Presented at the National A+ Conference for United States Postal Workers, Phoenix, Arizona.

 Smith, C. F., Huynh, H., Kennedy, R., Kennedy, E., & Rawls, A. (2008, March).  Policy, technical, and operational issues in the Arkansas accountability system.  Presented at National Council on Measurement in Education, New York City, New York.

Smith, C. F. (2008, March). Rhetoric, realities and reform: Using data to transform student  achievement statewide. Presented at the High School Reform Initiative Alliance for Excellence in Education. U.S. House of Representatives Offices, Washington, DC.  

Smith, C. F. (2007, November). Improving student performance in subgroup populations:   Seven proven strategies. Achievement Gap Summit, Sacramento, California.

Smith, C. F. (2007, October).  The courage to go where others dare not go.  United States Postal System A-Plus National Conference, Dallas, Texas.

Smith, C. F. (2007, March) Act 35: the Arkansas longitudinal value-add performance rating system. Presented National Council on Measurement in Education, Chicago, Illinois.

Smith, C. F. (2006, June). Sub-group accountability:  Can we successfully educate all children?

 Presented at the Urban Superintendent’s Leadership Academy, Chicago, Illinois.

Smith, C. F. (2005, July). Turning around student achievement in high poverty school districts.  Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Smith, C. F.  (2005, April).  State response: Using best practices to improve teaching and learning.  Presented at the meeting of the National Center on School Accountability, San Francisco, California.

Smith, C. F. (2004, March).  Preparing all schools to succeed.  Presented at the Durham School System Professional Development Meeting, Durham, Canada.

Smith, C. F.  (2004, November).  Managing education turnaround – The big picture in education reform.  Presented at the 4^th Annual Turnaround Strategies in Education Meeting, Toronto, Canada

Smith, C. F.  (2003, May).  Improving student performance:  Partnering for success.  Presented at the Western Canada Forum: Performance Measures and Outcomes Strategies in the Public Sector, Alberta, Canada.

Smith, C. F.  (2003, November).  Improving school performance:  Partnering for success.  Presented at the National Forum on Education Accountability and Performance Improvement, Ottawa, Canada.

Smith, C. F. (2002, April).  Conquering academic distress in public schools in Arkansas.  Presented at the Graduate School of Education, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Smith, C. F.  (2002, June).  Education accountability.  Presented at the National Forum on Educational Accountability, Presented at the Insight Forum, Chicago, Illinois.

Smith, C. F.  (2001, March).  Using data to sharpen the focus on student achievement in reading.  Presented at the Reading Success Network Institute, Atlanta, Georgia.

Smith, C. F.  (2001, July).  Using data to improve school performance.  Presented at the Summer Administrative Conference, New Orleans’s Public Schools, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Smith, C. F.  (2001, August).  Turning around low performing schools. Presented at the Laurel Public School, Laurel, Mississippi.

Smith, C.F.  (2000, August).  Smart is not something you are… Smart is something you can get: Raising reading test scores.   Presented at the McRat Institute, International Reading Association, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, July).  Using assessment information to inform instructional practices. Presented at the National Conference on Testing, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, November).  Using data to sharpen the focus on academic achievement.  Presented at the National Conference on Testing:  The Shifting Sands, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

 Smith, C. F.  (1999, December).  Five essential steps to understanding achievement data. Presented at the ARKLAMISS Delta Superintendents Leadership Institute, Olive Branch, Mississippi.

Selected Presentations - Regional                                         

Smith, C. F. (2009, January). All kids can succeed.  Presented at the ACT Southwestern Regional EPAS Symposium, Houston, Texas

Smith, C. F. (2008, January). Sharing best practices for increasing rigor and college readiness for all students.  Presented at ACT Southwestern Regional EPASS Symposium, San Antonio, Texas.

Smith, C. F. (2007, October). The role of higher education researchers and the research needs and priorities of the k-12 community. Mid-South Educational Research Association, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Smith C. F.  (1999, February).  Using data to sharpen the focus on academic achievement: Achieving equity and excellence. Presented at the College Board Regional Meeting, Dallas, Texas.

Selected Presentations - State                                         

Smith, C. F. (2009, August).  Arkansas school recognition program.  Presented at Melbourne Educational Service Cooperative, Melbourne, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2009, April).  What do student achievement data say about teaching effectiveness?  Presented at the University of Arkansas Office for Education Policy Conference, Little Rock Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2009, March).  Expecting and accepting academic rigor in curriculum.  Presented at Closing the Achievement Gap Conference, Raleigh, North, Carolina.

Smith, C. F., & Raush, K. ( January, 2009). Getting ready for voluntary universal ACT testing. Arkansas Department of Education, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (May, 2008).   Student achievement and the role of the national board certified teacher. Presented at the Arkansas Summit for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C.F. (2008, April).  Arkansas accountability rating system.  Presented at ACT Leadership Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, March).  Using mobile learning environments to improve student performance.  Arkansas General Assembly, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, February).  Academic intervention strategies.  Presented at UALR Children’s International, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008,October).   Ensuring testing security, Arkansas Department of Education, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, February).  Act 35 school improvement gains. North Little Rock Public Schools, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2007, September).  Isle of student achievement:  Beyond  buildings, busses budgets.  Presented at the Arkansas School Board Fall Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2006, July). Test security and confidentiality.  Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2006, July). Make a difference. Little Rock School Board, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2005, January).  Update: Implementing Act 35, smart core and teacher licensure. Presented at the Joint Meeting of the Accountability and School Improvement & Professional Development Sections, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2005, March).  Legislative update: Laws impacting assessment, remediation, teacher quality, standards for accreditation and funding.  Presented at the Joint Meeting of the Accountability and School Improvement & Professional Development Sections, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004, October).   No child left behind (NCLB) accountability issues: Using assessment and accountability to improve student achievement.  Presented at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, Annual Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004, December).   Act 35: Progress on value-added rating requirements.  Presented at the Act 35 Advisory Committee on Accountability, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004, December).   Implementing Act 35 & the Omnibus Act.  Presented at the South Central Service Cooperative Meeting, Camden, Arkansas.

Smith, C.F.  (2004, December).  No child left behind:  The accountability plan for Arkansas.  Presented at the Arkansas School Board Association, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2003, March).  Interim progress report for Altheimer and Elaine.  Presented at the meeting of the Arkansas State Board of Education, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2003, November).  The creation of smart core.  Presented at the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, Annual Convention, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2002, June).  Measuring performance honors (MPH). Presented at the State Conference of the Arkansas Association of Curriculum and Instruction Administrators, Hot Spring, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2000, April).  Arkansas comprehensive testing, assessment and

accountability program).  Presented at the Strategic Leadership Institute for Teams, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2000, April).  Improving the academic performance of rural/minority students.  Presented at the Seventh Annual Conference Educational Access, University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2000, April).  When will all mean all?  Presented at the Arkansas Association of Federal Coordinators, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2000, October).  Focus on accountability:  Academic standards, assessment, professional development and accountability rating.  Presented at the Fall Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, July).  The smart start initiative and accountability:  Presented at the AR-Schools Are For All Kids Summer Institute, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Selected Presentations – School Districts / Community                                         

Smith, C.F.  (2009, August). Improving student achievement by measuring growth.  Presented at Southwood Elementary School, Pine Bluff Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2009, August).  Arkansas school recognition program.  Presented J. A. Fair High School, Little Rock School District, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2009, August).  Improving student achieve by measuring growth.  Presented at David O. Dodd Elementary School, Little Rock Public Schools, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, August).  Sharpening the focus on student achievement.  Presented at Little Rock Public Schools Leadership Training, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2008, February).  Student achievement: Measuring longitudinal student achievement, Texarkana Public Schools, Texarkana, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. & Morris, W.  (2005, January).  Parent involvement and student achievement. Presented at the Sylvan Hills Elementary School, Pulaski County School District, Sherwood, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. & Morris, W.  (2005, February).  How parent involvement can improve student performance.  Presented at Second Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. & Morris, W.  (2005, February).  Meeting the standards for accreditation.  Presented at the Arise Charter School, Monticello, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2005, March).  How to prepare your child/children for testing.  Presented at the Scholarship Ministry Parent Night Meeting at Second Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. & Morris, W.  (2005, April).  Instructional practices that improve student learning.  Presented at Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F. (2005, May).  Accountability issues: Arkansas charter schools.  Presented at the Arkansas Charter School Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2004, January).  Smart core.  Presented at the meeting of High School Counselors Little Rock Public Schools, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2003, September).  Improving student achievement. Presented at the Little Rock School District Meeting at Greater Second Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2003, October).  Implementing no child left behind.  Presented at Lawson Elementary School, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C.F.  (2002, August).  Cut the fluff: Teach the stuff.  Presented at the Dawson Education Cooperative, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Smith, C.F.  (2002, September).  Using data to drive instructional performance.  Presented at the Greers Ferry Public Schools, Greers Ferry, Arkansas.

Smith, C.F.  (2001, October).  Measuring performance honors:  Our children first.  Presented at the Little Rock School District Parent Institute, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2001, April).  Improving student achievement.  Presented at the League of Women Voters, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2000, March).  Act 999 of 1999 and public school accountability.  Presented at the Pulaski County Special School District, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (2000, October).  A call to action.  Presented at the National Association for Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Clark County Branch, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, June).  Public accountability for student success.  Presented at the North Little Rock Public Schools, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, August).  Arkansas comprehensive testing assessment and

accountability program.  Presented at the Arkansas Literacy Specialists Meeting, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, October).  Arkansas comprehensive testing assessment and accountability program.  Presented at the Northwest Education Service Cooperative, Springdale, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, April).  Arkansas comprehensive testing assessment and accountability program.  Presented at the Western Arkansas Cooperative, Branch, Arkansas.

Smith, C. F.  (1999, April).  Arkansas comprehensive testing assessment and accountability program.  Presented at the Fayetteville Public Schools, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Selected Testimony at Legislative Meetings

Mobile learning environments: The future of learning is on the move. Arkansas 87^th General Assembly, Regular Session. Hearing before the House Education Committee. (2009). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith:

Rhetoric, realities and reform: Using data to transform student achievement statewide.  Presented at the High School Reform Initiative Alliance for Excellence in Education. U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.  (2008). (Panel discussion of Dr. Charity Smith).

Using mobile learning environments to improve student performance.   Arkansas General Assembly Joint Committee Meeting on Education.  (2008). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Department of education review of rules:  Standards for accreditation, teacher licensure renewal, and plan for comprehensive consistency and rigor in coursework, Hearing before the Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council, Arkansas 85^th General Assembly, Regular Session. (2005). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith & Ron Tolson).

Arkansas comprehensive testing, assessment and accountability system: Hearing before the House Education Committee, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Second Extraordinary Session. (2003). Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Substantially equal curriculum:  Advanced Placement courses:  Hearing before the House and Senate Education Committees, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Second Extraordinary Session. (2003). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Request for special entry rate for highly qualified applicant:  Hearing before the personnel subcommittee of the Arkansas legislative council, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Regular Session. (2003). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith & Dr. Reginald Wilson).

Arkansas teacher recruitment initiative: TEACHArkansas:  Hearing before the Senate Education Committee, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Regular Session. (2003). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Closing the achievement gap in Arkansas:  Hearing before the House Education Committee, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Regular Session. (2003). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Arkansas comprehensive testing, assessment & accountability program):  History of Academic Performance on State-Mandated Assessments, Hearing before the Arkansas Blue Ribbon Commission on Education, Arkansas 84^th General Assembly, Regular Session. (2003). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Building capacity in academically distressed schools:  Hearing before the Joint Performance Review Committee on Education, Arkansas 83^rd General Assembly. (2002). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

Department of education’s monitoring report for the three districts in Pulaski County:  Hearing before the Desegregation Litigation Oversight Subcommittee, Arkansas 83^rd General Assembly. (2001). (Testimony of Dr. Charity Smith).

References (selected)

Dr. Bill Brown, Chairperson, Arkansas Technical Advisory Committee on Accountability

Dunedin Ct.

Cary, NC  27511

(919) 467-2068 (Office)

(919) 602-2622 (Cell)

Dianne Tatum, Past Chairperson, Arkansas State Board of Education

P.O. Box 6869

Pine Bluff, AR 71603

(870)-541-4752

Dr. David Fetterman, Former Director, MA Policy Analysis and Evaluation Program

Stanford University School of Education

5032 Durban Court

San Jose, California  95138

(650) 269-5689

FettermanAssociates@gmail.com

Dr. Huynh, Huynh, Chairperson, Arkansas Technical Advisory Committee on Accountability, University of South Carolina

Wardlow College

Sumter Street

Columbia, SC 29208

(803)777-7364

Mr. Jerry Adams, President/CEO, Arkansas Research Alliance

1822 Robinson Avenue

Conway, Arkansas  72034

(501) 329-2181 (Home)

Dr.  William Oliver, Council Chair, Accountability Advisory Council

6 Fairway Drive

Maumelle, AR  72113

(501)-920-5149

Dr. Robert Kennedy

41 Timberlane Trail

Conway, AR  72034-3611

(501) 603-1162/686-5374 (Office)

(501) 688-6751 (Pager)

(501) 327-9876 (Home)

rlkennedy@uams.edu

Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director,

Council of Chief State School Officers & Former Commissioner of Education in Arkansas
One Massachusetts Avenue, NW · Suite 700
Washington, DC 20001-1431
voice: 202.336.7000 · fax: 202.408.8072

Dr. Sherece West, President and Chief Executive Officer

 Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

 225 East Markham Street, Suite 200

 Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
 501.376.6854 • Fax 501.374