Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announces the successful conclusion of the third year, and the launch of the fourth year, of the “Arkansas Declaration of Learning” program. The program works collaboratively with teachers and school librarians teaching 6th-12th grade students in the fields of art, English language arts, and social studies to develop curriculum that brings history to life and shares the importance of civic engagement with students. To date, more than 6,000 students have benefited from this initiative.

Educators from year three will celebrate their achievements on Friday, June 29 at 3:30 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center, where Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson will be the keynote speaker at this open-press event. From June 25-June 29, 32 teachers and school librarians will attend a week-long immersive summit in Little Rock to learn how to utilize historic objects, artwork, and primary sources to bring the subjects they teach to life. Objects selected for the program illustrate the many ways our nation valued civic engagement during its formative years, and the importance of continuing that focus today.

Through this program, educators work digitally with historic objects and art from the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, and from national and state partners, to develop dynamic lessons for their classrooms and school libraries that inspire student learning. Educators spend one year implementing the program into their classrooms and school libraries.

This public-private partnership is conducted by the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms, in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Central Arkansas Library System’s Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, and the Clinton Presidential Library.