Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Reports to: Assistant Director of Career and Technical Education

 

Position Overview

The Arkansas Department of Education is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Intern to support evaluation, research, and continuous improvement efforts for state-sponsored Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These programs serve middle, high school, and postsecondary students across Arkansas, with a strong focus on expanding access and improving outcomes for students from underserved populations.

The intern will work closely with the Assistant Director of CTE to review program effectiveness, analyze data, gather stakeholder feedback, and contribute to policy development that strengthens educational opportunities statewide.

This role is ideal for individuals interested in education policy, public administration, program evaluation, or applied research.

 

Internship Timeframe & Compensation

• Internship Period: Summer 2026 (July 1 – August 14, but can extend beyond summer, if additional projects are available)
• Compensation: $25 per hour

This structure is designed to provide meaningful professional experience while supporting students’ academic and career development.

 

Key Responsibilities

Program Evaluation & Research

• Review historical program outcomes, reports, and performance data.
• Conduct research on best practices in CTE and underserved-focused programming.
• Assist in designing and implementing evaluation tools such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collect and synthesize feedback from students, educators, administrators, and community partners.
• Support communication efforts related to evaluation activities, including outreach and scheduling.

Reporting & Presentation

• Prepare written reports summarizing findings, insights, and recommendations.
• Develop visualizations, charts, and summaries to communicate data clearly.
• Assist in preparing and delivering presentations at conferences, workshops, and internal meetings.

Policy Development

• Contribute to the drafting, revision, and refinement of CTE policies based on research and evaluation results.
• Support the development of guidance documents and resources for districts and educators.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public policy, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze information, think critically, and synthesize findings.
• Proficiency with productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).
• Interest in equity, student success, and public education systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with data analysis or research methods.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Comfort presenting information to groups.

What This Internship Offers

• Hands-on experience in state-level education policy and program evaluation.
• Opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that impacts students across Arkansas.
• Mentorship from experienced leaders in Career and Technical Education.
• Professional development through conference participation and collaborative projects.