Marvell-Elaine Earns Top Honors in 2025 OEP Awards
Marvell, AR.—In an astounding turnaround, Marvell-Elaine School District has emerged as one of Arkansas’s top-performing districts, earning high praise in the 2025 Outstanding Educational Performance (OEP) Awards. Once on the brink of closure due to poor academic performance, the district is now being celebrated for its exceptional student growth in English Language Arts (ELA).
Leading this transformation was Marvell-Elaine Elementary, which posted a state-leading growth score of 90.80 in ELA, according to the Office for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas.
Principal and School Improvement Specialist Karmen McNutt reflected on the journey, saying, “The journey at Marvell-Elaine has been filled with barriers that we chose to use as stepping stones. Each challenge became an opportunity to reflect, adjust, and grow stronger as a team.”
McNutt emphasized the district’s focus on Tier I instruction, with literacy woven into every subject, and credited strategic interventions, data-driven practices, and a shared commitment to excellence for the school’s success.
The turnaround began during the 2023 school year when the tiny district in eastern Arkansas finalized a $200,000-per-year “transformation contract” with Friendship Education Foundation. Enabled by a provision in the LEARNS Act, the contract allows public school districts with a “D” or “F”-rating or those requiring Level 5 – Intensive Support to partner with an open-enrollment public charter school or other approved entity to create a “public school district transformation campus.” Marvell-Elaine qualified on all counts: it held a Level 5 classification, both of its schools had “F”-ratings, and the district was in fiscal distress from April 2019 to September 2021.
In 2023, the Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) Teaching and Learning team—known for its statewide expertise in instructional strategies and educator support—stepped in at Marvell-Elaine to provide targeted literacy assistance.
McNutt praised APSRC’s role, saying, “APSRC has been a vital partner throughout our transformation. Tally Harp, APSRC Literacy Specialist, and her team have walked beside us every step of the way, offering hands-on coaching, modeling, and daily instructional support rooted in data and best practices. Their work has strengthened our instructional foundation and built teacher confidence.”
Emotion ran high when Harp recalled the moment the awards were announced.
“When the elementary principal came over the intercom yesterday and shared the OEP awards Marvell-Elaine received, I was with a teacher and we were teary eyed and hugged,” she said. “It has been unbelievable, and the teachers and students have put in so much work and done everything to save their district.”
Harp credited the educators for their responsiveness and dedication, noting, “The teachers put in all the work, responded quickly to feedback, and listened. I am so very proud of the teachers, administrators, and students. There is still work to be done. We want that A and B letter grade.”
McNutt echoed that pride, adding, “These OEP awards are more than just recognition—they represent years of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in our potential. They remind us that when educators and communities come together with purpose, barriers can become breakthroughs. Our teachers’ commitment and our students’ perseverance have made this achievement possible. The awards serve as living proof that when given the chance, a dream can indeed become a reality.”
The OEP Awards honor schools that demonstrate the highest academic growth, regardless of student demographics. Marvell-Elaine’s inclusion marks a dramatic shift from its previous trajectory and highlights the impact of sustained support and educator commitment. While the journey is far from over, the district’s recognition in the 2025 OEP Awards stands as a powerful testament to what collaboration, consistency, and belief in students can accomplish.
“More than a partnership, APSRC has become part of the Mustang family—helping us align our goals, refine our practices, and maintain a relentless focus on student achievement,” shared McNutt.
Photo from Marvell-Elaine School District Facebook Page
“Meet our superhero Principal Marques Collins, alongside one of our Awesome Literacy Specialists, Mrs. Tally Harp.”