News

Forward Arkansas Awards $10K Grant to Jonesboro Public Schools, Other Arkansas School Districts

Forward Arkansas Awards $10K Grant to Jonesboro Public Schools, Other Arkansas School Districts

Forward Arkansas representatives and Jonesboro Public Schools leadership pose with the $10,000 grant check. Photo: Contributed/Forward Arkansas


Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Forward Arkansas announced it was distributing grants to eight school districts throughout the state, with a Jonesboro district being one of the recipients.

The grants are part of Forward Arkansas’s Instructional Interventions Outcomes-Based Contracting (OBC) cohort, in which each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant that will help each district create an OBC for the 2027-2028 school year.

| ADD US ON GOOGLE NEWS: Click here to see more local news from Jonesboro Right Now

“Outcomes-based contracting helps ensure districts’ dollars support what matters most: real progress for our state’s students,” Forward Arkansas CEO Edie Stewart said in a news release. “We’re excited to invest in this proven approach to help even more districts strengthen their instructional interventions, transform their partnerships with providers and improve student outcomes statewide.”

Jonesboro Public Schools was one of the recipients. The other schools that received grants are listed below:

  • Camden Fairview School District
  • Delta Prepatory Schools
  • Glen Rose School District
  • Harrison Public Schools
  • Norfork School District
  • Palestine-Wheately School District
  • West Fork School District

According to Forward Arkansas, at least 40% of the district’s payment with an OBC is contingent on the service provider meeting agreed-upon, measurable student results. The Arkansas Department of Education prioritized districts using the model, including districts that participated in Forward Arkansas’s OBC cohorts, when awarding grants for high-impact tutoring.

Forward Arkansas is a nonprofit established by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and Walton Family Foundation dedicated to improving the state’s education through promoting best educational practices.

| DAILY BRIEF: Sign up for the Jonesboro Right Now Daily Brief Newsletter

This Week in Jonesboro

Music News

3 days ago in Entertainment, Music

Jay-Z picks himself to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Southern California

The man who has helped produce the Super Bowl halftime show is stepping into the spotlight: Jay-Z will headline the show himself. The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Monday night that Jay-Z will be the featured performer for the halftime festivities on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

Why big music stars like Harry Styles and Celine Dion are embracing residencies

For Harry Styles' dedicated audience, it is the can't-miss event of the year: Tens of thousands have descended on New York City's Madison Square Garden each night of his 30-date residency, rushing to catch the show before it concludes Halloween weekend.

1 week ago in Entertainment, Music

John Legend on Pharrell’s musical push, Jay-Z’s praise and new creative challenges with ‘Muse’

Jay-Z once told John Legend, "You're our voice." But Pharrell Williams had another idea for Legend's signature baritone: Sometimes, let it do more talking than singing.

3 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Linkin Park documentary ‘Unshatter’ tracks band’s emotional return to recording, touring

For years after the death of frontman Chester Bennington, members of Linkin Park weren't sure if the band would — or should — continue to exist. The new documentary "Linkin Park: Unshatter" takes fans inside the uncertainty, grief and creative risk behind their return, including raw footage of early recording sessions, conversations and experimentation that eventually led to Emily Armstrong joining the group.

4 weeks ago in Entertainment, Music

Quavo talks new album, fatherhood, viral ‘Hotel Lobby’ and working on Migos project with Offset

The Grammy-nominated rapper is moving forward with fatherhood, healing and a sense of purpose. Now a father to...