| Issue |
Status/Date |
Level |
Summary |
 School/District Structure/Operations |
Adopted 09/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides that any isolated school within a resulting or receiving district shall remain open unless the school board of directors of the resulting or receiving district adopts a motion to close the isolated school or parts thereof. Outlines the procedures a school board of directors must follow to close an isolated school.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-010F-13135.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.8-1.00 to AR ADC 005.01.8-5.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/index.php |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Adopted 09/2012 |
pre-K-12 |
Repeal of Rules Governing Administrative Consolidation or Annexation of Public School Districts; Repeal of ADE 236 - Rules Governing Consolidation or Annexation of Public School Districts; Repeal of ADE 231 - Rules Governing Distribution of Consolidation/Annexation Incentive Funding.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-012F-13137.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.4-1.0 to AR ADC 005.01.4-8.0; AR ADC 005.01.7-1.0 toAR ADC 005.01.7-5.0
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/index.php |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Adopted 09/2012 |
pre-K-12 |
Establishes the requirements and procedures concerning the consolidation and annexation of school districts; the administrative consolidation and annexation of school districts; and the distribution of consolidation/annexation incentive funding.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-011F-13136.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.4-1.00 to AR ADC 005.01.4-28.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/index.php |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Evaluation and Effectiveness |
Adopted 08/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes the requirements and implementation procedures concerning the Teacher Excellence and Support System, beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.
5.0 Provides that the evaluation framework for a summative evaluation for a classroom teacher includes the following categories: (1) Planning and preparation, (2) Classroom environment, (3) Instruction, and (4) Professional responsibilities. Outlines the process for a summative evaluation, which includes a formal classroom observation and informal classroom observation.
6.0 Requires that a teacher and evaluator develop a professional learning plan for the teacher that (1) Identifies professional learning outcomes to advance the teacher's professional skills, and (2) Clearly links professional development activities and the teacher's individual professional learning needs identified through the Teacher Excellence and Support System.
Establishes a novice teacher mentoring and induction.
7.0 Requires teachers to be placed in intensive support status if the teacher has a rating of "Unsatisfactory" in any one entire teacher evaluation category of the
evaluation framework. Requires evaluators to establish a time period for the intensive support status and notify the teacher that if his/her contract is renewed while the teacher is in intensive support status, the fulfillment of the contract term is subject to the teacher's accomplishment of the goals established and completion of the tasks assigned in the intensive support status.
If the intensive support status is related to student performance, the teacher is required to use formative assessments to gauge student progress throughout the period of intensive support status. Provides that the evaluator and teacher must develop goals and tasks that correlate to the professional learning plan and evidence-based research concerning the evaluation category that forms the basis for the intensive support status.
If a teacher does not accomplish the goals and complete the tasks established for the intensive support status during the period of intensive support status, the
evaluator must notify the superintendent of the school district where the teacher is employed and provide the superintendent with documentation of the intensive
support status. Upon review and approval of the documentation, the superintendent is required to recommend termination or nonrenewal of the teacher's contract.
8.0 Requires annual evaluations for every teacher who is a: (1) Novice teacher, (2) Probationary teacher, or (3) Teacher who successfully completed intensive support status within the current or immediately preceding school year. All other teachers must be evaluated every three years.
9.0 Requires that The Department of Education provide technical assistance to school districts for developing and implementing instruments to evaluate administrators that weight an administrator evaluation on student performance and growth to the same extent as provided for teachers under the Teacher Excellence and Support System.
14.0 Provides that the Department of Education must establish applicable growth models following the full implementation of the PARCC assessment system.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.12-002F-13108.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.08.4-1.0 to AR ADC005.08.4-14.0
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Adopted 07/2012 |
pre-K-12 |
Authorizes the State Board of Education (BOE) to establish a statewide system of not more than fifteen multicounty education service cooperatives of school districts to be intermediate service units in the state's elementary and secondary education system and as such shall be eligible to receive and expend funds from state and federal governments, school districts, and other public or private sources.
Outlines rules surrounding membership including: each education service cooperative shall be governed by a board of directors consisting of one representative appointed by each school district board of directors within the boundary of the education service cooperative.
Outlines responsibilities of the board of directors of each established education service cooperative including: receipt and expenditure of funds needed to provide programs and services in the area and implementation of policies established by the state board for the operation of education service cooperatives.
Directs the BOE establish tentative boundaries for the system of education service cooperatives, and provides rules for those boundaries.
Provides that education service cooperatives shall be established when 75% of the school districts in a proposed education service cooperative area request such action by formal resolutions filed by the school district boards of directors with the Commissioner of Education.
Requires that each education service cooperative must establish a teacher center which will provide, consistent with funds available, curriculum development assistance, educational materials, and staff development services to teachers within the school districts in the service area, and provides rules for these centers.
Directs the Commissioner of Education to name a person to serve as liaison between the department and the education service cooperatives.
Requires each education service cooperative to conduct annual surveys and needs assessments to assist the education service cooperative in its first priority of helping school districts improve their educational programs and practices.
Provides that the programs and services of each education service cooperative must be based upon the needs of the school districts included in its service area and upon the educational priorities of the state.
Requires that the state provide funds to support the basic structure of the education service cooperatives including: (1) salaries and fringe benefits for a director, a teacher center coordinator, and support staff, (2) costs such as travel, utilities, rent, equipment, and supplies, (3) funds to support staff and curriculum development activities, and (4) funds in an annual amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for the travel expenses of itinerant personnel employed by the education service cooperative to serve the part-time needs of local school districts.
Outlines procedures for filing required documents with the BOE by August 31 of each year.
Requires each education service cooperative to be evaluated during the 2012-2013 school year, and at least once within each five-year period, on a schedule established by the Commissioner of Education, all active education service cooperatives must be visited by an evaluation committee of not more than nine persons.
Authorizes the BOE to dissolve any education service cooperative upon the request of a majority of its school district boards of directors or upon the recommendation of the evaluation committee.
Provides for the BOE, if funding is available and a majority vote is reached, to establish the following: (1) a technology training center and employ a technology coordinator, and (2) a mathematics and science center.
Defines education service cooperatives as local education agencies, and defines "fiscal distress" qualifications, plans and actions for education service cooperatives.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-003F-13038.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.24-1.00 to AR ADC 005.01.24-31.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Govern the guidelines, procedures and enforcement of the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.23.11-002F-12936.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.23.2-1.00 to 23.2-10.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Adopted 05/2012 |
P-12 |
Outlines requirements for publishing school district classified and licensed personnel policies, salary schedules, establishing minimum salaries, and other documents mandated to be posted to the district's website.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-008F-12938.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.25-1.00 to AR ADC 005.01.25-9.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Health |
Adopted 04/2012 |
P-12 |
Amends rules governing nutrition and physical activity standards and body mass index for age assessment protocols in Arkansas public schools.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.11-006F-12925.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.15.15-1.0 to AR ADC 005.15.15-12.0
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 03/2012 |
Postsec. |
Earmarks $300,000 each fiscal year for eligible entities approved by the State Board of Career Education, in order to expand the vocational education and training opportunities available to area citizens in need of adult educational training or retraining due to changing technology. Effective from July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2012F/Bills/HB1063.pdf
Title: H.B. 1063
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Professional Development |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides guidelines for developing a high quality professional development system for all educators in order to facilitate individual, team, school-wide, and district-wide improvement designed to ensure that all students demonstrate proficiency on the state academic standards. Creates the Arkansas Online Professional Development Initiative and provides guidelines for the Initiative. Requires all school districts, schools and educators develop and implement a professional development plan, and outlines necessary components of this plan. Outlines the approval process for professional development programs as well as guidelines for funding, monitoring and evaluation.
Requires all educators to complete sixty hours of approved professional development each year in the areas of technology, Arkansas history, and parental involvement. Requires training every five years in teen suicide awareness and prevention, upon initial licensure and renewal - training in child maltreatment, managing disclosures regarding child victims and connecting a victim of child maltreatment to appropriate in-school services and other agencies, programs, and services.
Requires administrators to complete sixty hours of approved professional development each year in the areas of data disaggregation, instructional leadership, and fiscal management. Requires superintendents, assistant superintendents and principals, assistant principals and counselors for grades 7-12 to complete to participate in professional development on the availability of, eligibility requirements for, and the process of applying for state-supported student financial assistance.
Requires educators working solely in adult education to complete 30 hours of professional development. Outlines rules around what counts toward the requirement, who must participate, documentation requirements,
Requires all approved professional development to be aligned to standards developed by the National Staff Development Council. Lists approved focus areas for professional development activities and outlines appropriate activities. Allows up to twelve hours of professional development to be planning and preparing curriculum or developing instructional materials.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.16.11-005F-12883.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.22.7-1.0 to AR ADC 005.22.7-9.00; AR ADC 005.22.1-1.00 to AR ADC 005.22.1-5.00; AR ADC 005.01.11-1.00 to AR ADC 005.01.11-9.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
No Child Left Behind |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes definitions and procedures to designate teachers as highly qualified in the core academic subject areas pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Requires that all newly hired teachers in core academic subject areas in Title I schools or programs must be highly qualified, and that all classes in the core academic subject areas shall be taught by a highly qualified teacher. Outlines reporting requirements, and provides illustrative documentation.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.11-005F-12886.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.19.9-1.0 to AR ADC 005.19.9-5.0; AR ADC 005.19.9 Appendix A, B, C
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Sets forth the requirements for a criminal background check and a Child Maltreatment Central Registry check for: each first-time applicant for a license issued by the State Board of Education, each applicant for his or her first license renewal after July 1, 1997, each applicant for initial employment in a licensed staff position with a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school, and each applicant for initial employment or non-continuous reemployment in a non-licensed staff position with a public school district, open-enrollment public charter school, or education service cooperative.
Prescribes the procedure for revocation, suspension, or placing on probation of an educational license.
Clarifies whose criminal records check and Child Maltreatment Central Registry check fees shall be paid by the Department of Education.
Clarifies that superintendents and charter school directors have the responsibility of reporting licensure violations of teachers and fraudulent acts by Fiscal Officers to the State Board.
Repeals current rules governing criminal background checks for substitute teachers and the requirement of a criminal background check for the employment of personnel in school districts.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.23.11-005F-12902.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.23.5-1.00 to AR ADC 005.23.5-8.00; AR ADC 005.15.19-1.00 to AR ADC 005.15.19-4.00; AR ADC 005.15.13-1.00 to AR ADC005.15.13-8.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Provides guidelines to ensure the availability and retention of certified speech-language pathologists by providing additional compensation for speech-language pathologists holding a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Requires the Department of Education to pay annual incentive bonuses to certified speech-language pathologists who: are licensed in their field, employed full-time at an Arkansas public school, and are not considered a purchased service contractor. Outlines rules for monitoring and funding the incentive bonus program.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.16.11-002F-12901.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.16.16-1.00 to AR ADC 005.16.16-6.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Adopted 03/2012 |
P-12 |
Establish procedures to provide incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high priority districts with an average daily membership of 1,000 or fewer. Provides that, at the end of the school year and upon completion of a teacher's contractual teaching obligation, a teacher in a high-priority district may be entitled to receive: a signing bonus, new teacher bonus, retention bonus, in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. Outlines rules for appropriation, documentation, and monitoring of the program.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.16.11-003F-12900.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.16.15-1.00 to AR ADC 005.16.15-6.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Assessment--End-of-Course |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires all public school students to participate in the statewide program of educational assessments, including general end-of-course assessments. Provides that students may not get credit for courses with end-of-course exams without obtaining the requisite score on the exam, until the student is identified as having participated in remediation through an individual academic improvement plan (IAIP).
Requires initial high-stakes end-of-course assessments for Algebra I and English II (2014-2015 school year) be administered by grade 10. Outlines regulations and exemptions from this rule. Requires students who do not pass to participate in an IAIP including research-based remediation activities and multiple opportunities for the student to take and pass subsequent high-stakes end-of-course assessments. Outlines remediation and monitoring requirements. Provides that a student failing to meet the requisite scale score on an end-of-course assessment and not satisfying the remedial requirements not be entitled to graduate with a high school diploma.
Requires the Department of Education to make public at least fifty percent (50%) of the test questions on the most recent initial end-of-course assessments. Requires the Department of Education to annually publish an end-of-course assessment cycle for general and high-stakes end-of-course assessments. Outlines protocol for preparing and administering end-of-course assessments. Requires the Department of Education to ensure end-of-course assessments are aligned with state standards and that professional development training is available for teachers teaching courses for which an end-of-course assessment is required.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.11-002F-12842.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.15.21-1.0 to AR ADC 005.15.21-8.0
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Outlines application requirements for public charter schools and state board approval for licenses for existing open-enrollment public charter schools. Outlines the basis and procedure for public charter school probation or charter modification, revocation or denial of renewal.
Directs charter applicants, local school boards and the state board to carefully review the potential impact of an application for a public charter school on the efforts of a public school district or public school districts to comply with court orders and statutory obligations to create and maintain a unitary system of desegregated public schools. Directs all public charter schools shall observe and comply with all anti-discrimination laws.
Outlines reporting requirements for public charter schools, including an annual report to the Department of Education outlining information including the number of students who dropped out, transferred or were expelled, and student scores on state assessments.
Provides that public charter schools that receive federal dissemination grant funds from the Department of Education provide the Department of Education Charter School Office with a list of the public charter school's best or promising practices in accordance with their approved dissemination grant applications.
Provides that the Department of Education make available the procedures for establishing a public charter school and that the dates and requirements are followed by applicants.
Outlines application, authorization, renewal and state board hearing procedures for conversion public charter schools. Outlines teacher transfer procedures and hiring priorities in the instance of license revocation for conversion public schools.
Outlines application, authorization, renewal and state board hearing procedures for open-enrollment public charter schools. Outlines the charter requirements and open-enrollment regulations and authority of open-enrollment public charter schools. Outlines teacher transfer procedures and hiring priorities in the instance of license revocation for conversion public schools. Directs that the state board provide a status report of the open-enrollment public charter school programs to the General Assembly, House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education. Requires an annual audit and evaluation of open-enrollment public charter schools. Requires an open-enrollment public charter school, in its initial school year of operation, to provide monthly reports on its enrollment status and compliance with its approved budget for the current school year to the Department of Education. Provides that an open-enrollment public charter school receive funds equal to the amount that a public school would receive, and outlines funding procedures for schools adding grades. Provides that, in the first year of operation and in any year when a grade is added, the open-enrollment public charter school shall receive professional development funding based upon the initial projected enrollment student count. Dictates that, upon dissolution of the open-enrollment public charter school, all net assets become property of the state. Outlines regulations for new or renovated facilities.
Defines limited public charter school as a public school that applies for a charter for alternative comprehensive staffing and compensation programs designed to enhance student and teacher performance and improve employee salaries, opportunities, and incentives. Outlines application procedures, teacher transfer and contract regulations, and state board hearing procedures. Provides that the Department of Education annually evaluate limited public charter schools.
Sets forth rules applicable to the closure or dissolution of public charter schools.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.11-004F-12843.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.08.2-1.00 to AR ADC 005.08.2-8.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Leadership--District Superintendent |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Requires, beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, that any first-year superintendent complete the superintendent mentoring program within twelve months of obtaining or maintaining employment as a superintendent to maintain his or her superintendent's license. Outlines the program requirements, sanctions, and mentor qualifications.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.16.12-001F-12836.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.16.17-1.00 to AR ADC005.16.17-7.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
School Safety |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Sets forth guidelines to assist school districts with developing, reviewing and revising student discipline and school safety policies. Requires that parents, students and school district personnel be involved in the development of district student discipline policies, and that the policies be reviewed annually by a district's committee on personnel policies. Outlines the minimum offenses to be included in a student discipline policy, as well as guidelines for punishment.
Sets forth guidelines for parent and student notification, teacher training, and employee grievance procedures. Specifies that students with behavioral problems be placed in alternative learning environments.
Provides that districts authorizing the use of corporal punishment include provisions in their discipline policy that specify it must be used only for cause, be reasonable, follow warnings for misbehavior and be administered only by a teacher or administrator in the presence of another school employee.
Requires the Department of Education to monitor compliance with the requirements and withhold state aid funds until a disciplinary policy is filed.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.11-003F-12838.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.15.17-1.00 to AR ADC 005.15.17-6.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Creates the distance Learning Coordinating Council to evaluate programs and determine whether they are being utilized fully and efficiently. Outlines the members of the Council, term limits, meeting frequency, and other adminitrative rules. Requires the Council to make annual recommendations to the Department of Education and other entities.
Sets minimum requirements for the administration of distance learning in elementary and secondary schools including: approved providers, courses and instructors; requirements for site facilitators, student achievement assessments, class sizes, student-instructor ratios, scheduling and availability.
Establishes the Arkansas Distance Learning Development Program, conducted by the Department of Education. Oulines focus areas and funding rules. Requires the Commissioner to annually review the program and make recommendations to the State Board. Enables the Commissioner to enter into contracts and provide grants for implementation. Specifies that students participating in the Program are eligible for public education credit and grades.
Requires that students participating in distance learning courses reside in the district offering the course and agree to attend the school to participate in the course. Requires that the course be offered for credit and approved by the Department of Education. Outlines exceptions to these rules, and rules for home-schooled students.
Outlines grant standards and uses, protocols and distribution requirements. Requires districts to collaborate with one another to establish educational needs and maximize distance learning services.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.12-001F-12833.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.25.2-1.00 to AR ADC 005.25.2-13.00; AR ADC 005.25.4-1.00 to AR ADC 005.25.4-5.00; AR ADC 005.25.5-1.00 to AR ADC 005.25.5-9.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the State Board to select a statewide textbook selection committee to recommend a list of instructional materials consistent with course content standards and curriculum frameworks. Empowers the State Board to require require reports from school districts on the use and distrubution of instructional materials. Specifies that the Department of Education include funding for instructional materials in the foundation funding amount provided to each school district, and that the state of Arkansas must guarantee a set price for materials to all schools for the life of a state adoption cycle.
Requires school districts to establish a textbook selection committee, comprised of a majority of licensed personnel, including teachers. Requires districts to provide instructional materials, including equipment needed to access digital resources, for all K-12 public school students free of charge. Provides that school districts may select their own instructional materials or select from the recommended state-approved list. Requires any materials purchased with state funds be consistent with course content and curriculum frameworks. Requires that the Department of Education monitor compliance with the regulations regarding instructional materials, and report to the House and Senate Education Committees.
Sets forth conditions for offering textbooks for adoption, sale or exchange by any person, company or corporation. Provides that the State Board make and execute contracts for all instructional materials that have been recommended by the Department of Education, and outlines rules regarding contracts, exchange provisions, and assessment of damages. Outlines illegal acts for members of the selecting committe, employees of the Department of Education or member of a school board of directors including: accepting gifts from any agent offering instructional materials for sale, having an interest in the in the proceeds of instructional materials, being promised or offered any valuable thing with the intent of influencing decisions or opinions of instructional materials.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-002F-12840.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.15.11-1.00 to AR ADC 005.15.11-7.00; AR ADC 005.04.23-2.00 to AR ADC 005.04.23-11.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights |
Adopted 02/2012 |
P-12 |
Establishes the School Worker Defense Program Advisory Board (the Board). Directs that the Board be comprised of seven specific members, and that no employee of the Department of Education who is charged with administering the School Worker Defense Program may be eligible to serve as the designee of the Commissioner. Defines meeting guidelines and elected positions for the Board. Provides that the Board have final authority to hear and adjudicate any appeal filed by a school worker for protection against liability pursuant to Arkansas Code.
Establishes the School Worker Defense Program (the Program) to protect 19 specific entities and individuals including education service cooperatives and their board members, public school districts and specified public school employees. The Program protects these entities and individuals against civil liability, attorney's fees, and costs of defense for acts or omissions, including civil liability for administering corporal punishment to students (up to $150,000 or $250,000). Authorizes the Program to provide other limited financial reimbursement. Provides that cost of the School Worker Defense Program shall be paid annually out of funds in the Public School Fund that are designated for that specific purpose. Details the administration of the Program.
Outlines the proceedures for filing a claim or an appeal with the Program or Board. Outlines conditions and exclusions.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.01.12-001F-12835.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.01.23-1.0 to AR ADC 005.01.23-10.0; AR ADC 005.04.8-1.00 to AR ADC 005.04.8-11.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Finance--District |
Adopted 01/2012 |
P-12 |
Repeals rules and regulations governing expenditure requirements by Arkansas school districts for teacher salaries, special education, vocational education, alternative education, and gifted and talented programs.
http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.04.11-004F-12809.pdf
Title: AR ADC 005.04.6-1.00 to AR ADC 005.04.6-8.00
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rules_and_regs/ |
Health |
Adopted Regulations 10/2011 |
P-12 |
Revises the Hearing Services provider policy manual to allow school districts and education service cooperatives (ESCs) to perform certain audiology services within the school setting. Describes the participation criteria for schools and ESCs; the scope of services that schools and ESCs can provid; procedure codes that are non-payable to schools and ESCs; and the national place of service code that must be used to identify the school or ESC setting when billing Arkansas Medicaid. ARKANSAS REG 257467
Title: AR ADC 016.06.24-202.110; AR ADC 016.06.24-213.000; AR ADC 016.06.24-214.000; AR ADC 016.06.24-242.100, 110, 200, 310; AR ADC 016.06.35-500.000
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
If the state board orders the takeover of a school district under authority and also orders the removal of the school district board of directors, the state board may assume all authority of the school district board of directors as may be necessary for the day-to-day governance of the school district. The state board may designate the authority granted under this subdivision to the Commissioner of Education. (Sec 1)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act989.pdf
Title: S.B. 383
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires a public charter school to annually submit a report detailing: (1) The number of applications for enrollment received; (2) The number of applicants with a disability identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Act; (3) The number of applications for enrollment denied and an explanation of the reason for each denial.
Requires reporting on the number of students in each of the following categories:
(A) Students who dropped out of the public charter school during the school year;
(B) Students who were expelled during the school year by 8 the public charter school; and
(C) Students who were enrolled in the public charter 10 school but for a reason other than those cited in subdivisions (b)(1)(A) and 11 (B) did not complete the school year at the public charter school; and 12
Also calls for charter school teachers, teachers' aides and student teachers to be included in the state's school worker defense program, which protects school employees from civil liability as a result of the performance of their duties.
For all students enrolled in the public charter school, the scores for assessments required under the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program, including benchmark assessments and end-of-course assessments.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act993.pdf
Title: S.B. 436
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the annual school performance report to be submitted to the Senate and the House Committees on Education.
Requires the annual school performance report to be made available on the Web sites of the department of education and school districts. Requires information about student participation in ACT or SAT testing and college preparatory enrichment programs in the annual school performance report.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB737.pdf
Title: S.B. 737
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to establish alternative learning environment programs for at-risk students. Specifies that such programs are not punitive in nature. Requires districts to report on programs, including information on student race and gender. Requires districts to assess students at the beginning of enrollment in such a program in order to properly design interventions. Directs department of education to promulgate rules to implement policy and includes other requirements of department of education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB81.pdf
Title: S.B. 81
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Declares that if the cap on the number of charters available for an open-enrollment public charter school is within two charters of meeting any existing limitation or cap on available open-enrollment charters, the number of available charters shall automatically increase by five slots more than the most recent existing limitation or cap on open-enrollment charters.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB346.pdf
Title: S.B. 346
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends transportation policies affecting open enrollment students. Authorizes the receiving districts or charters to transport students to and from the transferring district or charter school, and the cost of transporting students will be the responsibility of the transferring district or charter school. Caps transferring district/charter costs for transportation at $400 per student per year.
Declares that a district may not deny a student the ability to attend a school in the student's school district of choice under unless there is a lack of capacity at the school in the student's school district of choice. Defines "lack of capacity."
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB788.pdf
Title: S.B. 788
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires school district board members to obtain professional development concerning audit procedures. Defines scope and content of training and when a school board member must undergo training.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act1213.pdf
Title: H.B. 1708
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
To transition to and implement the Common Core State Standards, the State Board of Education may: (1) Modify curriculum and assessment requirements; (2) Adopt new curriculum and assessment requirements; and (3) Direct the Department of Education to: (A) Propose to the state board rules and procedures; and (B) Develop the professional development needed to train educators on the transition and implementation. (Sec 14)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act989.pdf
Title: S.B. 383
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to develop procedures concerning student physical activity in its public schools that includes recognition and management of the following events or conditions that may be encountered by a student during athletic training and physical activities: (1) A concussion, dehydration, or other health emergency; (2) An environmental issue that threatens the health or safety of students; and (3) A communicable disease. Requires athletic coaches to undergo training on above.
Creates a Public School Athletic Trainer Pilot Program. Directs the Department of Education to provide grants for providing a access to one or more athletic trainers to public schools in Arkansas through the two-year Public School Athletic Trainer Pilot Program. Defines scope of pilot program and requires reporting upon its completion.
Directs the Arkansas Legislative Task Force on Athletic Training in Public Schools to develop a web-based survey to be completed by each public school in Arkansas through the Department of Education website. The survey must include questions concerning: (1) The recruitment, hiring, and retention of athletic trainers; (2) Professional development and certification or licensure of athletic training personnel; and (3) Procedures and training on the recognition and management of the following events or conditions that may be encountered by a student during athletic training and activities: (A) A concussion, dehydration, or other health emergency; (B) An environmental issue that threatens the health or safety of students; and (C) A communicable disease.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1743.pdf
Title: H.B. 1743
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to update school policies when a law regarding child abuse is amended or added to the Arkansas code. Requires board of directors of each district and the superintendent of the district to review the Acts of the General Assembly for that session to determine whether a law regarding child abuse and relating to public schools has been amended.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB323.pdf
Title: S.B. 323
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to provide in-service training to licensed school personnel on the signs of child sexual abuse and other forms of child mistreatment.
Requires the Arkansas Child Abuse/Rape/Domestic Violence Commission to approve the training and curriculum.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB527.pdf
Title: S.B. 527
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Includes information in the department of education's school performance report about the number of districts providing remediation and college preparation for high school students who take the ACT before their senior year. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB352.pdf
Title: S.B. 352
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School--Exit Exams |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Concerning the high-stakes end-of-course assessments for English II. Beginning with the 2014-2015 (changed from 2013-14) school year, all initial high-stakes end-of-course assessments for English II must be administered by grade ten (10).
(Secs 18-)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act989.pdf
Title: S.B. 383
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School--Graduation Requirements |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows public school student to recieve high school graduation credit participation in Jr. ROTC. A student who completes two semesters of a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program may receive credit for both of the following requirements for graduation from high school under the rules of the State Board of Education: (1) One-half unit of physical education; and One-half (1/2) unit of health and safety education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act1231.pdf
Title: H.B. 2205
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education to assess each early childhood program in this state that receives state funding based on nationally recognized standards and assessments that may include without limitation the following components: (1) Curriculum and learning environment; (2) Training and education of staff; (3) Adult-to-child ratios; (4) Student assessments; (5) Health and safety conditions; (6) Family involvement; and (7) Site visits.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB337.pdf
Title: S.B. 337
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes parents with multiple birth siblings who are assigned to the same grade level and school, prek-6 to request in writing that the school place the siblings in the same classroom or in separate classrooms. Allows districts to deny requests under certain circumstances and provides parents with an appeal process.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB268.pdf
Title: S.B. 268
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes a school district board of directors to create and implement a program to authorize a parent of a child enrolled in the school district to act as a monitor in a school bus. Directs the Commission for Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to adopt rules to implement this section.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB321.pdf
Title: S.B. 321
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends state anti-bullying policy. Defines "attribute" an individual may be bullied for to include: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, socioeconomic status, academic status, disability, gender, gender identity, physical appearance, health condition, or sexual orientation. Requires a school principal who receives a credible report or complaint of bullying to promptly investigate the complaint or report and make a record of the investigation and any action taken as a result of the investigation. Requires the board of directors of every school district to adopt policies to prevent bullying. Requires districts to provide training on compliance with the antibullying policies to all public school district employees responsible for reporting or investigating bullying.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB892.pdf
Title: S.B. 892
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that prohibition against hazing includes the initiation into or affiliation with sports programs and other extracurricular activities.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB897.pdf
Title: S.B. 897
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to annually publish a List of all school districts with fewer than three hundred 350 students according to the school district average daily membership in the school year immediately preceding the current school year. Prohibits a school district from incurring incur debt without the prior written approval of the department if the school district is identified by the as having fewer than 350 students according to the school district average daily membership in the school year immediately preceding the current school year. (Secs 10 + 11)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act989.pdf
Title: S.B. 383
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes performance ratings for education service cooperatives. Requires that each education service cooperative be evaluated during the 2012-13 school year and at least once every five years thereafter. The final evaluation, will be included in the annual report to the Department of Education and made available on the website of the education service cooperative. Evaluation criteria will be developed collaboratively between the Department of Education and the directors of each education service cooperative. The report shall identify each education service cooperative 12 as being in one of the following category levels
(A) "Level 5", education service cooperative of excellence;
(B) "Level 4", education service cooperative exceeding standards;
(C) "Level 3", education service cooperative meeting standards;
(D) "Level 2", education service cooperative on alert; or
(E) "Level 1", education service cooperative in need of immediate improvement.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act739.pdf
Title: H.B. 1433
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Authorizes parents to petition for special arrangments to address student absences prior to a student accumulating the maximum number of absences allowed under a district's attendance policy.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1995.pdf
Title: H.B. 1995
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Establishes the Arkansas College and Career Readiness standards. Develops criteria to evaluate, support, promote and fund career and technical education programs. Directs the Department of Career Education to work in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education to develop college and career readiness program standards for career and technical education program of study courses. Students may earn postsecondary credits for career and technical education program of study courses that lead to a postsecondary credential, certificate, or degree.
6-5-903. College and career readiness program standards. 34
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act743.pdf
Title: H.B. 1620
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides oversight of and accountability for state desegregation funding received and expended by the Pulaski County School Districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act701.pdf
Title: H.B. 1878
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the definition of revenue receipts of a school district.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1296.pdf
Title: H.B. 1296
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Changes the foundation funding level for students. Includes students in regular settings, alternative settings, English-language learners and students in low-income districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1901.pdf
Title: H.B. 1901
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies definitions related to bonded debt assistance for school districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act266.pdf
Title: H.B. 1527
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Replaces prior policy on reporting of ethics violations for educators. Defines ethics violations, reporting requirements and disciplinary action to be taken in instances of ethics violations by an educator.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act1045.pdf
Title: H.B. 1952
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health |
To Governor 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides that a licensed nurse employed by a school district or other healthcare professional shall annually train volunteer school personnel designated as care providers to administer Glucagon to a student with Type I diabetes. Provides that parents of students with Type I diabetes fill out a permission form.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1447.pdf
Title: H.B. 1447
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Health--Suicide Prevention |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires two hours of mandatory in-service professional development once every five years for licensed personnel in teen suicide awareness and prevention.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act770.pdf
Title: H.B. 1778
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
High School--College Readiness |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires each public school administering the college readiness assessment to provide the basis for the counseling concerning postsecondary preparatory programs. Requires development of postsecondary prep programs, reporting on effectiveness of postsecondary preparation programs, progress on development of such programs, and defines college-readiness assessments and benchmarks. Requires that programs provide remediation to eligible students, form remediation must take and hours/days it may take place. Requires school counselors to encourage particicipation of certain students. Defines eligibility and priority for students. Enables students to take placement test at no cost to themselves.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1617.pdf
Title: H.B. 1617
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Leadership--District Superintendent |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the Department of Education to develop and sponsor a superintendent mentoring program for first-year superintendents that includes: (A) Curriculum and instruction; (B) Ethics; (C) Facilities; (D) Human resources; (E) Leadership; (F) School funding; and (G) Technology.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB344.pdf
Title: S.B. 344
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Enacts the "Supplemental 33 Educational Services Transparency Act." Directs providers to prepare and submit an annual report to districts where supplemental educational services are provided and place a copy of the report on its Web site. Reports must include information: (A) By race and gender, the improvement in student achievement for each student served based on the statewide benchmark tests orother statewide assessment of student achievement; (B) Student attendance rates; (C) The amount of funds the provider received per student; (D) By school district, the total number of supplemental 5 educational services contracts and the total amount of funds received under 6 those contracts; (E) The total number of years supplemental educational services have been provided and the total number of students served for all years; and (F) The results of parent satisfaction surveys.
Requires the department of education to review reports before placing providers on the department's list of state-approved providers. The department must include a link for parents to access information concerning approved providers on its website.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB2088.pdf
Title: H.B. 2088
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Concerns parental notification in cases of police investigation of possible child abuse. Directs principals to not provide parental notification if a request is made to interview a student during the course of an investigation of suspected child maltreatment and a parent, guardian, custodian, or person standing in loco parentis is named as an alleged offender.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act613.pdf
Title: H.B. 1578
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of education to monitor each school district's parental involvement plan to: (i) Evaluate whether the school district is implementing its plan and the implementation's effectiveness; and (ii) Assess the areas in which a school district needs to revise its plan or its implementation of the plan. The department will place priority for monitoring on districts that have been identified as being in: (i) School improvement for two consecutive school years; or (ii) Academic distress.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB740.pdf
Title: S.B. 740
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Clarifies that discretion is granted to state-supported institutions of higher educaiton on whether or not to compensate all employees for unpaid sick leave on retirement or death.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB354.pdf
Title: S.B. 354
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Clarifies the purposes, duties and operation of the Arkansas Student Loan Authority. Defines loans and students. Authorizes authority to adopt rules governing: (1) Compliance statutes or regulations governing the guaranty, insurance, purchase, or other dealing in guaranteed educational loans or education loans by corporations or federal agencies; and (2) Standards of eligibility for educational institutions, students, and lenders.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act521.pdf
Title: H.B. 1489
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Clarifies what information specific to higher education-related reports should contain, including information on affirmitive action programs. Additionally, reports must state: (A) The amount of institutional revenue spent on remediation; (B) The total general revenue subsidy spent on remediation; (C) The total institutional expenditure for remediation; and (D) The general revenue percentage of total expenditures for remediation. . Requires some higher education related reports to be updated annually.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act696.pdf
Title: H.B. 1454
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, using one of the federally approved ability to benefit assessments, authorizes use of reassessment of a student's ability to benefit who scores below 15 on an ACT or below a comparable score on a comparable exam
Beginning with the 2012-13 academic year, a student who scores below the acceptable federally determined ability-to-benefit assessment score, but has a high school diploma or GED, may only be enrolled by a two-year or four-year institution of higher education in a specific program approved by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in collaboration with the institutions of higher education until the student can demonstrate academic proficiency that would predict success in a degree program.
Directs the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to provide approved assessment tools and acceptable scores through Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board policy. Does not prevent an institution of higher education from setting higher admissions standards for enrolling freshmen
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB2050.pdf
Title: H.B. 2050
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates the Arkansas Higher Education Information System, to be developed by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Defines scope of system and information it will record. Requires that information be made available to the legislature, and that procedures for redacting personally identifying information be put in place. Requires institutions to report information to the system and defines penalties for noncompliance.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB2142
Title: H.B. 2142
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Revises funding formula for postsecondary institutions to include a needs-based component and an outcome-centered component. Directs the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop an outcome-centered funding formula by December 31, 2011. The outcome-centered component will constitute 25% of funding for two-year colleges and universities by the 2017-18 school year and shall be phased in at a rate 5% per year beginning in the 2013-14 school year.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB766.pdf
Title: S.B. 766
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires state-supported institutions of higher education to present expenditure data on a Web site operated by the institution. The website must be updated annually and retain data for each fiscal years for 10 years, starting with 2013 fiscal year. "Expenditure data" means information regarding the spending of public funds that adequately identifies the purpose, amount, payor, and vendor, if such disclosure is permissible under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and federal laws or regulations.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1017.pdf
Title: H.B. 1017
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Prohibits the use of false academic credentials. Requires accrediation from the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board before a postsecondary institution may operate in the state. Exempts existing non-public non-profit institutions. Defines criteria the AR HEC must consider in granting accreditation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act205.pdf
Title: H.B. 1254
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec. |
Gives priority for an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship to a student whose parent was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and was killed while performing military duty.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act825.pdf
Title: H.B. 1821
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Education, and the Bureau of Legislative Research jointly to conduct a study of the fairness of the distribution of Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarships funded by net proceeds of the Arkansas Lottery. The study must include a review of scholarship data for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 academic years concerning:
(1) The race, gender, county of residence, transcript indication of learning disability, and financial need of scholarship applicants;
(2) The distribution of scholarships by race, gender, and county of residence of scholarship recipients;
(3) The number and amount of scholarships awarded to students at each two-year college;
(4) The number and amount of scholarships awarded to students at each four-year university;
(5) The barriers to applying for the scholarships encountered by students;
(6) The reasons that students did not qualify for the scholarships; and
(7) The number of students with an indication of a learning disability on the applicant's transcript who applied for the scholarship and either received or did not receive a scholarship.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1937.pdf
Title: H.B. 1937
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec. |
Revises payroll deduction for state employees to include deposits into a tax-deferred college savings plan.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1924.pdf
Title: H.B. 1924
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act, amends provisions concerning criminal penalties for lottery fraud and scholarship stacking.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act207.pdf
Title: H.B. 1302
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Institutions |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires institutions of higher education to make a good faith effort to obtain the student consent form and collect and report the data required under the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act. Institutions may lost approved status if they fail to do so.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act635.pdf
Title: H.B. 1875
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Success--Completion |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Strengthens the transfer of courses between institutions of higher education. Expands the Roger Phillips transfer policy. Clarifies which courses are prerequisite courses. Establishes a statewide common course numbering system for postsecondary. Creates a "state minimum core curriculum." Directs the state board, in collaboration with state-supported institutions of higher education, to select the baccalaureate degree programs of study that will be included in the state minimum core curriculum. Requires all public institutions of higher education to provide comprehensive academic advising to all students regarding transfer options available under this policy.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act747.pdf
Title: H.B. 1772
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Success--Developmental/Remediation |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Directs the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to determine the minimum scores or criteria to allow simultaneous enrollment in college-level credit and remedial courses.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB2032.pdf
Title: H.B. 2032
Source: Westlaw/StateNet |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the interim Senate Committee on Education and the interim House Committee on Education to jointly study issues relevant to the adoption of an extended school year and report the committees' findings to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives not later than October 1, 2012.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB711.pdf
Title: S.B. 711
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Provides a framework for afterschool programs that promote positive youth development. Establishes the positive Youth Development Grant Program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB138.pdf
Title: S.B. 138
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
School Safety--Uniforms/Dress Codes |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to prohibit the wearing of clothing that exposes underwear, buttocks, or the breast of a female student.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1936.pdf
Title: H.B. 1936
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Specifies the date for the department of education to pay the licensed pathologist bonus. Details repayment terms for teachers who receive bonus and leave the teaching field.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1819.pdf
Title: H.B. 1819
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Teacher Excellence and Support System. Institutes a system of teacher evaluation of the following categories: (A) Planning and preparation;
(B) Classroom environment; (C) Instruction; and (D) Professional responsibilities. An evaluation rubric using nationally accepted descriptors that consists of the following four performance levels: (A) Distinguished; (B) Proficient; (C) Basic; and (D) Unsatisfactory.
Requires the teacher being evaluated and the evaluator to develop a professional learning plan for the teacher that: (A) Identifies professional learning outcomes to advance the teacher's professional skills; and (B) Clearly links professional development activities and the teacher's individual professional learning needs identified through the Teacher Excellence and Support System.
Teachers deemed to be unsatisfactory will be placed on intensive support status and the teacher and evaluator will develop a plan with clear timelines and goals. Provides for termination of teachers in certain circumstances. Requires probationary, novice and intensive support status teachers be evaluated on an annual basis. All other teachers must be evaluated on an every three year basis. Implementation will begin in 2014-15.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB2178.pdf
Title: H.B. 2178
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Directs the state board to issue standard five-year teaching licenses to individuals who meet certain requirements, including holding out-of-state teaching licenses and successful completion of Teach for America. Requires standard background criminal and child maltreatment checks as well as educational and certificaiton verification. Directs the state board to issue three-year provisional licenses to individuals with a bachelor's degree and three years of employment in the content area in which the individual will teach, an offer to teach, two letters of recommendation, passing schore on a content knowledge and pedagogical tests and criminal and child maltreatement background tests.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1893.pdf
Title: H.B. 1893
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Clarifies that a school district is not 21 prohibited from paying a licensed employee additional salary increases as a supplement under specified circumstances.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act186.pdf
Title: H.B. 1366
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes the right of an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System member to remain an active member when employed by an institution of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/SB126.pdf
Title: S.B. 126
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Signed into law 03/2011 |
P-12 |
Amends school district textbook requirements. Requires that digital resources be provided to students at no cost along with equipment required to access them.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Acts/Act288.pdf
Title: H.B. 1427
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 02/2011 |
P-12 |
Allows districts flexibility in establishing first day of school, to be on or after the Monday of the 24 week in which August 19 falls; (ii) Not earlier than August 14; and (iii) no Not later than August 26.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1099.pdf
Title: H.B. 1099
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 02/2011 |
P-12 |
Extends through the 2013 school year the term and duties of the advisory committe on common spring break.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2011/2011R/Bills/HB1224.pdf
Title: H.B. 1224
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Lotteries |
Adopted 12/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Defines terms used in the Arkansas Acedemic Challengs Scholarship Program and requirements for student participation. Requires Director of Department of higher education to report annually on implementation of lottery scholarships. Defines award for two- and four-year colleges.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/2010F/Acts/Act265.pdf
Title: H.B. 1163/S.B. 126
Source: |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Adopted 12/2009 |
P-12 |
Adopts rules governing public school end-of-course assessments and remediation. Provides that beginning with the 2009-10 school year and each school year thereafter, every student required to participate in the statewide program of educational assessments may not receive credit on his/her student transcript for biology, geometry or any other course that requires a general end-of-course assessment for which that student has not received the requisite scale score on a general end-of-course assessment(s) until the student is identified as having participated in remediation through an individual academic improvement plan.
Not in legislation: Requires the Arkansas public school providing course instruction in Algebra I and English II to ensure that such instruction is provided in complete compliance with all required and approved frameworks, and to be prepared to provide documentation of such compliance to the department of education upon request.
Requires a student who does not meet the requisite scale score on the relevant high-stakes end-of-course assessment to participate in an individualized academic improvement plan (IAIP). Not in legislation: A student's IAIP is to be provided in an electronic format of a type and at a site specified by the department of education. http://170.94.37.152/REGS/005.15.09-006F-10570.pdf
Title: 005.15.09
Source: |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Increases accountability for achievement gaps in school districts; provides intervention and support to public school districts to address the severity of achievement gaps.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act949.pdf
Title: H.B. 2163
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Improves student achievement and closes achievement gaps among student subgroups by providing public access to comprehensive school improvement plans; improves parental involvement and communication with parents; increases transparency and accountability of public schools and public school districts to the public; makes public school and public school district data more accessible to researchers and policymakers.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1373.pdf
Title: S.B. 943
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the College and Career Readiness Planning Program Act. Defines "college and career readiness". Beginning with the 2010-11 school year, directs public schools to administer the EXPLORE to 8th graders, and either the PLAN or PSAT to 10th graders. Permits costs of these assessments to be paid using department of education at-risk funding. Requires schools to use the college readiness assessments to assist students with college and workforce readiness skills, high school course selection and improved academic achievement. By the 2011-12 school year, requires schools to fully incorporate college readiness assessment results into each student's college and career planning process. Requires the department of education to maintain data to (1) Increase college and career readiness skills; (2) Improve instruction; (3) Enhance school improvement plans; and (4) Reduce college remediation rates. Requires the department of education to annually report to the house and senate education committees on the implementation and effectiveness of the College and Career Readiness Planning Program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1808.pdf
Title: H.B. 1808
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows reasonable accommodation by the Department of Education and each school district for a student who has difficulty with sensory processing in reaction to oversensitivity to full spectrum light when taking state required tests; allows a student to use color overlays specific to the student's oversensitivity that alter the contrast between the words and the page so the student can visually comprehend the words on a page of a state mandated assessment or test.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1460.pdf
Title: S.B. 358
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas project graduation commission to investigate high school dropout prevention strategies, analyze the relationship between high school graduation rates and the state's economy, and to recommend strategies that will increase the overall high school graduation rate of state students by helping parents, schools, and students identify academic warning signs of dropout.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1306.pdf
Title: H.B. 1956
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows a student whose parent or guardian is employed by a school district or educational service cooperative to continue attendance at a nonresident school district in some circumstances.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1368.pdf
Title: S.B. 847
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Enhances the safety of children by requiring central registry checks for all public school employees and bus drivers.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1173.pdf
Title: H.B. 1450
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Concerns vocational and technical education in public high schools; provides that a student who successfully completes an approved vocational or technical career pathway or program of study at a public high school shall be awarded a certificate of attainment which shall be used for consideration of acceptance and advanced placement into an apprenticeship training program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1376.pdf
Title: S.B. 955
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the State Legislative Task Force on the assessment and improvement of state history education in public schools.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1462.pdf
Title: S.B. 452
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum--International Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the International Student Exchange Visitor Placement Organization. Defines duties of organization.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act966.pdf
Title: S.B. 903
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Curriculum--Language Arts |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Adds transcript requirements to provide evidence of end-of-course assessment credit for Algebra I and/or English II for specified future school years.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1307.pdf
Title: H.B. 1959
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Renames the department of workforce education as the department of career education; renames the state board of workforce education and career opportunities as the state board of career education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1884.pdf
Title: H.B. 1884
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the Academic Challenge Scholarship Program and the Scholarship Lottery Act; revises eligibility requirements for nursing school scholarship applicants; makes technical corrections various provisions concerning scholarships and gambling; revises general scholarship eligibility requirements; revises provisions concerning Lottery Commission contracts; establishes penalties for certain violations by a retailer, including failure to remit lottery proceeds.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1405.pdf
Title: H.B. 2243
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Federal |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to provide a detailed report of national school lunch student categorical fund expenditures, transfers from the school lunch categorical funds to other funds and results from programs funded by national school lunch student categorical funds.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1369.pdf
Title: S.B. 889
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides intervention and professional consultation upon early indicators of the fiscal or facilities distress of a public school district; requires the Department of Education to report to the superintendent of a school district regarding nonmaterial indicators of fiscal distress that could jeopardize the fiscal integrity of the school district if not addressed; requires specified reporting by a district superintendent if the condition of an academic facility raises a significant health or safety issue.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB2170.pdf
Title: H.B. 2170
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Clarifies student growth funding for public school districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1501.pdf
Title: H.B. 1555
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows a superintendent's employment contract with a school district to be terminated for cause and without the district having any further financial obligation to the superintendent if the district has been placed on fiscal distress by the Department of Education because of commitments made by the superintendent of which the board of directors had no knowledge or a misrepresentation made by the superintendent concerning district finances that the board relied upon to the detriment of the district.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1203.pdf
Title: S.B. 345
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides fiscal accountability for education service cooperatives; provides that such cooperatives may submit a complete listing of all employees of the cooperative and each employee's position, salary, and benefits to the Department of Education, in lieu of a salary schedule; revises the requirements for policies and rules of such cooperatives; revises the provisions governing the certain financial reporting requirements of such cooperatives; adds procedures to determine fiscally distressed cooperatives.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1289.pdf
Title: H.B. 1606
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides that the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee may refer an audit report of a school district to the Department of Education if the audit report of the school district identifies a substantial issue of noncompliance with state or federal financial reporting requirements or other state or federal law or regulation and the same issue is identified in 2 consecutive audit reports.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1370.pdf
Title: S.B. 904
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Enacts the Clean Air on Campus Act of 2009; prohibits smoking on state-supported institutions of higher education campuses to protect students, employees, and visitors at from secondhand smoke on campus.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB2007.pdf
Title: H.B. 2007
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Smart Core Incentive Funding Program to provide a financial incentive to assist with a public high school's efforts to encourage students to complete the Smart Core curriculum and promote programs that contribute to student success, including tutoring, after-school and summer programs that may include the College Preparatory Enrichment Program, professional development for mathematics, science, literacy, foreign language, and Advanced Placement instruction and support to school counselors.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1481.pdf
Title: S.B. 918
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows a two-year or four-year college or university to provide concurrent credit courses to high school students at a reduced tuition amount.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1451.pdf
Title: H.B. 1993
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Minority/Diversity Issues |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Repeals the faculty/administrator development fellows program that assists state institutions of higher education in increasing the academic qualifications of minority faculty, administrative, and other employees and alumni.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1219.pdf
Title: S.B. 857
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires the Higher Education Coordinating Board, in collaboration with state-supported institutions of higher education, to develop by institution uniform measurable exit standards for remedial courses that are comparable to the ACT or SAT equivalent required for college-level enrollment in credit courses.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1990.pdf
Title: H.B. 1990
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires the Department of Higher Education to collect information necessary to prepare reports of college achievement of high school graduates from each state institution of higher education; requires the Department and it's Office of Accountability to develop a system of reporting the number of students who required remediation during their first year of enrollment in a state-supported institution of higher education in this state if the enrollment occurred within a certain number of years of graduation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1764.pdf
Title: H.B. 1764
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Enacts the Campus Security Enhancement Act to create a multidisciplinary advisory task force composed of leaders in education, mental health, and law enforcement which shall provide support for designing effective campus security policies and proactive measures that prevent further acts of violence on campuses of institutions of higher education in the State and help ensure an effective response and recovery system when those acts of violence occur.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1400.pdf
Title: H.B. 2135
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Broadens the Higher Education Opportunities Grant Program; provides need-based financial aid for all college-going individuals from low income families to be used at institutions of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1213.pdf
Title: S.B. 850
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides continuing eligibility for a scholarship benefit for the children and spouses of emergency medical technicians, firefighters and law enforcement officers and personnel killed or permanently and totally disabled while in the course of their duties.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1217.pdf
Title: S.B. 855
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides flexibility for the State Department of Higher Education in awarding Governor's Scholars Program Awards by providing that if there are more eligible applicants than available scholarships, the Department may determine a procedure for awarding additional scholarships while not exceeding available funds.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1218.pdf
Title: S.B. 856
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Provides child care services for Temporary Assistance to Needy Family Program recipients enrolled in day or evening classes in a two-year college.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1485.pdf
Title: S.B. 963
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Participation--Access |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates an interim study of the affordability of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act964.pdf
Title: S.B. 885
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Relates to inclusion of five make-up days for days lost due to exceptional or emergency circumstances in each school district's academic calendar, parent- teacher conferences, employment contracts of certified school personnel, borrowing and bond issuance, Smart Core, school district fiscal distress, school budget and expenditure reports, average daily membership, school lunch and open- enrollment public charter school funding, distance learning and the Educational Buildings Maintenance Fund.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1469.pdf
Title: S.B. 814
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows a school district board of directors to meet in executive session on an appeal of the suspension or expulsion of a public school student.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1445.pdf
Title: H.B. 1091
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Includes in the information which a school district must make available on its website, or the website of the school district's education service cooperative, minutes of regular and special meetings of the school board, the school district budget, a breakdown of monthly expenses, and certain information regarding school district employee contracts; relates to the powers and duties of the board of directors of each school district; relates to school district personnel policies and contracts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1180.pdf
Title: H.B. 1940
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes an academic facilities review board; provides public school districts with an additional opportunity for a hearing on the determination regarding state financial participation for academic facilities projects.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act937.pdf
Title: H.B. 1852
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides a process for routine inspections and reporting of inspections of public school academic facilities.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1475.pdf
Title: S.B. 863
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the School Bus Safety Equipment Grant Pilot Program to assist school districts in equipping school buses with video recording devices or other electronic warning devices to reduce the incidents of drivers who illegally pass a school bus.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1207.pdf
Title: S.B. 500
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Superintendent and Director of Transportation of each school district, in consultation with the appropriate law enforcement agency and prosecuting authority, to develop a school bus safety plan to reduce the occurrence of a motor vehicle passing a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading students and assist bus drivers in providing to law enforcement officers identifying characteristics of a motor vehicle and its operator who illegally pass buses to improve the likelihood of prosecution.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1206.pdf
Title: S.B. 499
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Legislative Task Force on Autism to examine how the State responds to autism and autism spectrum disorders, determine and recommend the best practices and methods for treatment of those disorders, recommend how to obtain more federal funds for such treatment and to provide special education to children with those disorders and recommend to the General Assembly specific changes to the law.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1272.pdf
Title: S.B. 938
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires the Division of Youth Services (DYS) to provide a system of education in residential youth services centers it operates according guidelines established by the Department of Education (DOE); requires the the DYS, with the support and assistance of the DOE, to conduct an education program assessment of each facility and provide a report of it's findings; provides that course credits and promotions received by a student enrolled in the DYS system of education shall be considered transferable.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1932.pdf
Title: H.B. 1932
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires the department of correction to provide skills training and educational opportunities for all inmates not serving a life sentence or a sentence for capital murder; makes attendance and completion of skills training or the reaching of educational thresholds mandatory and a condition of an inmate's release on parole.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1894.pdf
Title: H.B. 1894
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Mobile Learning Technology Pilot Program to provide for mobile learning in rural school districts; provides that each district participating in the program shall equip school buses with wireless Internet service and purchase a specified number of laptop computers, portable devices for storing video files, a specified number of media screens, and math and science software; provides that the participating school district may use foundation funding for such purposes.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act827.pdf
Title: H.B. 1273
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates the Legislative Task Force on Athletic Training in Public Schools to study health care issues concerning secondary school student athletes, evaluate the current athletic training curriculum and recommend changes to the athletic training curriculum, monitor the standards of care for student athletes and explore funding opportunities for potential pilot programs.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1453.pdf
Title: H.B. 2129
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides for the confidentiality of certain documents and procedures relating to code of ethics proceedings of the professional licensure standards board relating to an ethics complaint against an administrator or teacher.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act938.pdf
Title: H.B. 1859
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Eliminates the requirement that members of the National Guard or reserve who are teachers or administrators pay for the cost of a substitute employee when the member is on military leave.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act944.pdf
Title: H.B. 2004
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the Teacher Opportunity Program; provides scholarships to teachers returning to college to receive an additional certification.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1214.pdf
Title: S.B. 852
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides additional incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high-priority school districts. Increases teacher signing bonuses; equalizes teacher salaries between high-priority school districts and higher paying surrounding school districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act969.pdf
Title: S.B. 980
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Consolidates the Teacher Education Recruitment Programs by repealing the Minority Teachers Scholars Program, Minority Masters Fellows Program, and the State Teacher Assistance Resource Program: creates the State Teacher Education Program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1215.pdf
Title: S.B. 853
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Grants subpoena power to the state board of education and the professional licensure standards board.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1283.pdf
Title: H.B. 1372
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Revises provisions of existing law governing school district teacher professional development credit. Authorizes online professional development credit hours; provides procedures allowing a teacher to make up missed credit hours due to illness of the teacher or a family member.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1309.pdf
Title: H.B. 1999
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides bonuses for individuals who have worked for a minimum number of years with a national board certification as a classroom teacher, building-level principal, or assistant principal in a public school district, employed full time as a teacher in an accredited teacher preparation program at a state- supported institution of higher education; provides only teachers who hold such certification on or after a specified date shall be eligible for a bonus; provides bonuses are not retroactive.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1449.pdf
Title: H.B. 1862
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Technology |
Signed into law 04/2009 |
P-12 |
Improves data collection by the Public School Computer Network; ensures that any changes to the data collection systems used by the Department of Education and public school districts are provided to public school districts in a timely fashion by shortening the period of time in which the network shall provide to each public school district the programs necessary to collect specified data.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act1463.pdf
Title: S.B. 459
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
P-3 Preschool |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Ensures that the enrollment age in prekindergarten is consistent with the enrollment criteria for entry into public school; ensures that adequate notice is given to prekindergarten program providers.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB252.pdf
Title: S.B. 252
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires each school's parental involvement plan to provide instruction to parents on how to incorporate developmentally appropriate learning activities in the home environment, including:
(a) Role play and demonstration by trained volunteers;
(b) The use of and access to department of education web tools for parents;
(c) Assistance with nutritional meal planning and preparation; and
(d) Other strategies or curricula developed or acquired by the district for at-home parental instruction approved by the department of education.
Requires districts to provide training at least annually for volunteers who assist in an instructional program for parents.
Requires administrator education programs to include instruction on the importance of parental involvement, successful strategies for encouraging parents to be partners in their child's education, and the relationship between cultural diversity and parental involvement. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act397.pdf
Title: H.B. 1272
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Increases salary transparency for administrators in state-supported institutions of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB55.pdf
Title: S.B. 55
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Creates the comprehensive higher education annual report; consolidates all current legislatively required reports pertaining to higher education submitted by the department of higher education, colleges and universities, agencies, boards, commissions and all others, into one annual comprehensive report.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1589.pdf
Title: H.B. 1589
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Limits the amount of unrestricted educational and general tuition and fee income a state-supported institution of higher education can spend on academic and performance scholarships.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB316.pdf
Title: S.B. 316
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Establishes a common spring break for all state public schools in each school district.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB226.pdf
Title: S.B. 226
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
To governor 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Encourages Schools to raise awareness of the sacrifices that veterans have made for our country by having a school assembly to commemorate veterans day around the time of the veterans day holiday.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HCR1017.pdf
Title: H.C.R. 1017
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Provides for verbal notification of changes to a juvenile safety plan to school principals and assistant school principals. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Acts/Act334.pdf
Title: H.B. 1057
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates school- based automated external defibrillator and cardiopulmonary resuscitation programs.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB312.pdf
Title: S.B. 312
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Ensures students categorized with behavioral disabilities in other states are promptly and adequately placed in the state public school system.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB238.pdf
Title: S.B. 238
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Removes barriers to educational success for military children.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1400.pdf
Title: H.B. 1400
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows the teacher retirement system to correct calculation errors that cause manifest injustice to Arkansas teacher retirement system members.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/sB155.pdf
Title: S.B. 155
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 03/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows the teacher retirement system to recoup benefits, including interest, paid to a member who does not meet the eligibility requirements under the teacher deferred retirement option plan; allows for the collection of interest.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB227.pdf
Title: S.B. 227
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Ensures consistent public school attendance laws.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB295.pdf
Title: S.B. 295
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Ensures continued accountability and efficiency for school districts involved in desegregation litigation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1222.pdf
Title: H.B. 1222
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Finance |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires a review of the recommendations for educational adequacy for all public school students before each fiscal session; relates to funding.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1250.pdf
Title: H.B. 1250
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Governance |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Requires a statement regarding compliance with ethical guidelines and prohibitions for board members, administrators, and employees be included in a statutorily required audit of an educational institution.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1429.pdf
Title: H.B. 1429
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Expands membership of the State early childhood commission.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/default.asp
Title: H.B. 1044
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Creates a birth through prekindergarten teaching credential and endorsement.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1132.pdf
Title: H.B. 1132
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Allows students who have completed Pre-Kindergarten to enroll in kindergarten in certain circumstances.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1098.pdf
Title: H.B. 1098
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows taxpayers to divert all or part of their state income tax refund to a tax-deferred tuition savings program account by designating the contribution on their income tax form; provides that the account must be in existence.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB49.pdf
Title: S.B. 49
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the State National Guard Tuition Incentive Program; provides that in-service recruits are not eligible for benefits under the program; modifies the maximum value and total annual number of tuition incentive awards issued under the program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB268.pdf
Title: S.B. 268
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Success--Transfer/Articulation |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates a system for fully transferable credit hours from degrees in associate of arts, associate of science, and associate of arts in teaching in public institutions of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1357.pdf
Title: H.B. 1357
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 02/2009 |
P-12 |
Amends eligibility and application requirements for the lifetime teaching license.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/HB1133.pdf
Title: H.B. 1133
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Adopted 07/2008 |
P-12 |
Amends rules relating to Rules Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators
http://arkansased.org/rules/pdf/pending/educator_ethics021408_pending.pdf
.
Title: 005.16.08
Source: http://arkansased.org |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 04/2008 |
P-12 |
Amends provisions concerning school desegregation funding and litigation costs; extends the time period within which a school district must be declared unitary or at least partially unitary to be eligible for reimbursement.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2008S1/public/HB1003.pdf
Title: H.B. 1003A
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Lotteries |
On 11/04/2008 Ballot. 04/2008 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution; authorizes the General Assembly to establish, operate, and regulate State lotteries to fund scholarships and grants for state citizens enrolled in certified two- year and four-year colleges and universities.
http://www.votenaturally.org/2008_elections/Proposed_Initiative_Constitutional_Amendment_No3.html
Title: Amendment 3
Source: http://www.votenaturally.org/2008_ballot.html |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to an act to expand monitoring by the Department of Education of school district implementation of school improvement plans as required by 2006 Act 57 studying the state's system of public education. New provisions detail that the comprehensive school improvement plan shall: 1) be based on student performance data and a plan of action to address the deficiencies in student performance and academic achievement gap evidenced in the comprehensive state program; 2) include school use of categorical funding for alternative environments, progressional development, ESL programs and Title I students. Requires schools to file revised comprehensive school improvement plans and assess effectiveness of an intervention or other action included in the school improvement plan. The assessment of the intervention is to be included in the following year's school improvement plan. State Department is to monitor the use of school improvement funds for the following: 1) instructional facilitators; alternative learning environments, professional development, and at-risk programs. Provisions stipulate that the information obtained through the monitoring are to be incorporated into the school improvement plans and may amend those rules in such manner as established by the state board. Section added to state the importance of detailed school improvement plans and early planning by the school districts for the determination of educational strategies and the use of public funds.
(Act No. 807)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1504.pdf
Title: H.B. 1517
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Enacts the continuing adequacy evaluation act of 2007 to continually evaluation the state education system by strengthening and preserving the integrity of the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act of 2004 by defining its provisions to ensure that future assessments, evaluations and monitoring of the state's public education system by the General Assembly will continue to be conducted in a thorough, well-informed and meaningful manner. (Act No. 1204)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2663.pdf
Title: H.B. 2663
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 68 changes the position of director of the Division of Public School Accountability of the Department of Education to assistant commissioner and provides for the reassignment of staff needed for the division to fulfill its monitoring and reporting obligations. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Accountability--Evaluating Performance)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates the Arkansas evaluation center to: Attract students to existing courses and provide new online and distance learning courses; stimulate university faculty to conduct evaluation and research; provide academic training that consists of a variety of modalities (courses, vitrual classrooms, practicum, workshops, speakers); offer a series of evaluation-related courses including qualitative or ethnographic approaches, statistics, research design, evaluation approaches and methods and politics of evaluation through the university's Education Department; assist the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in developing and implementing the certificate program in effective evaluation and the masters degree program in effective evaluation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB951.pdf
Title: S.B. 951
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.usf |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 1: Provides for the accountability information formerly reported by the Department of Education will now be reported on each district's website. Act No. 1573.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Accountability Provisions)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to information that school districts must publish on their websites; relates to education assessment programs and the confidentiality of state-mandated tests and assessments; establishes methods for reprimanding violations of these confidentiality provisions which may involve revocation or suspension of ones license and mandated professional development; requires annual reports related to school district performance; relates to school improvement programs; relates to employment screening. Act No. 1573.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Adopted 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Adopts rules to develop a single comprehensive testing, assessment and accountability program which utilizes the most current and effective testing, evaluation and assessment research information designed to achieve the following: 1) clear academic standards that are reviewed and revised periodically; 2) professional development standards for all administrators, teachers and instructional support personnel; 3) expected achievement levels; 4) reporting on student achievement and other indicators; 5) school and school district evaluation data; 6) system of sanctions and rewards based on performance of schools and school districts; and 7) compliance with current federal and state law and the State Board of Education policies.
Ensures all students in Arkansas public schools have an equal opportunity to demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency through the application of knowledge and skills in the core academic students consistent with state curriculum frameworks, performance standards and assessments.
Adopts rules to improve student learning and classroom instruction and to support high academic standards for all students, including identifiable subgroups, by establishing the provisions, procedures and requirements for the student assessment program.
Also requires point-in-time intervention when it is determined that a student is not performing at grade level; outlines testing and assessment security and confidentiality requirements; and, establishes a program to identify, evaluate, assist and advise public school districts in academic distress. ARKANSAS 4790
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/rules/rules_current.html
Title: 005.19.06-002, ADE 247
Source: http://arkedu.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Act makes corrections in code including modifying references to state-mandated tests or benchmark exams to references to "augmented, criterion-referenced or norm-referenced assessments" and changing the term "certified" to "licensed", repealing and amending out-of-date or obsolete language. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Technical corrections)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Cheating |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 11 concerns sanctions to be imposed for violation of security or confidentiality on a state-mandated assessment by school district personnel.
Section 23 concerns the revocation of certification for teachers violating the security or confidentiality on a state-mandated assessment.
Section 24 concerns the sanction for superintendents for falsified information on state-mandated assessments. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Cheating)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 52 repeals code concerning requirements for social studies, civics education, character and citizenship. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Curriculum)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Improves the college remediation rate and ensures a general suitable, and efficient system of college and workforce readiness for all students; supports voluntary statewide act assessment for all 11th grade students called the Voluntary Universal ACT Assessment Program; encourages greater participation in the Smart Core curriculum. (Act No. 881)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1562.pdf
Title: H.B. 1562
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1562.pdf |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 32 of the act repeals code concerning eligibility for isolated schools funding; Section 30 properly replaces the isolated schools language into another section of code; Section 33 amends the requirements for qualification to receive supplemental millage incentive funds for a public school district that voluntarily raised its maintenance and operation millage rate while keeeping property assessment per student below the state average. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Finance)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Act to assist school districts with the transition between levels of categorical funding for the national school lunch students by providing a method of transitional funding during a three-year period. The Department of Education is to establish rules to implement the transitional funding provided in this section. The rules shall include a method of transitional funding for a school district that both falls below and exceeds a funding level identified in this section. No school district shall be entitled to receive more or less funding as a result of the transitional process than the school district is otherwise entitled to receive under subdivision of this section based on the school district's national school lunch student population as a percent of the district's entire student population.
(Act No. 811)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1720.pdf
Title: H.B. 1726
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health--Nutrition |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
An act for the department of health and human services - division of child care and early childhood education - after school literacy and nutrition programs general improvement appropriation. (Act No. 1106)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1884.pdf
Title: H.B. 1884
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School--Advanced Placement |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Ensures a rigorous and efficient curriculum for high school students; assist small, rural public schools in providing students access to the most rigorous courses available if it is the desire of students to take Advanced Placement courses in the place of regular courses and, in doing so, to meet the requirements of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts. (Act No. 1015)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2734.pdf
Title: H.B. 2734
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
High School--Dual/Concurrent Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Develops guidelines for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses that may be taught along with advanced placement courses in high schools; repeals the concurrent enrollment course approval panel; provides the training, credentials and experience required for instructors of endorsed concurrent enrollment courses.
(Act No. 936)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1730.pdf
Title: H.B. 1730
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Leadership--Principal/School Leadership--Preparation |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends the commission on closing the achievement gap in Arkansas to provide training for commission members. Modifies term lengths of commission members to indicate that no member shall serve for more than four years. Requires attendance at meetings with no more than one absence. (Act No. 1002)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2514.pdf
Title: H.B. 2514
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 26. New provision requires district to provide, within ten days, students records and prohibiting holding the student records back for fines which are due. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (NCLB, Choice)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
No Child Left Behind--School Support |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Human Services Workers in the Schools Program designed to help children and families by promoting the safety of children and strengthening of families, supporting the community's capacity to produce children who are healthy, children who are in supportive, nurturing, and healthy families, and children who succeed in school, and promoting the division's family preservation philosophy and family-centered practice. (Act No. 1050)
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2007/Public/SB868.rtf
Title: S.B. 868
Source: ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
P-3 Child Care |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates the Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Facilities Act; requires the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education of the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts to share with the state Department of Emergency Management a list of all licensed child care facilities and all known license-exempt facilities, to identify emergency shelters in proximity of those facilities and coordinate efforts to notify emergency agencies of the number of children in those facilities. (Act No. 816)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2211.pdf
Title: H.B. 2211
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec. |
Improves retention and graduation rates at public colleges and universities by providing a mechanism to distribute incentive funding for improved student outcomes.
Requires Higher Education Coordinating Board to design the measurement and mechanism by July 1, 2009. (Act No. 1592)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2325.pdf
Title: H.B. 2325
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Education--Placement |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Sections 34 and 39 amend provisions of the Children with Disabilities Act to update law concerning the state's responsibility for ensuring that programs and funding for children with disabilities who are referred to or place in private schools and facilities by a state agency meet the educational standards of the State Board of Education and the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Special Education)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
State Policymaking--Task Forces/Commissions |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requests that the House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education study degree programs at institutions of higher education in the state, the courses required for degree completion, the number of hours required for a secondary degree program, and the number of hours that are required to obtain an additional certificate to teach after the person has received his or her original certification. (Act No. 1600)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2660.pdf
Title: H.B. 2660
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Makes an appropriation to the State Science and Technology Authority for the STEM Coalition for the research and development of a plan concerning the improvements of laboratory facilities and enhanced learning environmentals for the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in K-12 school facilities. (Act No. 1024)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1682.pdf
Title: H.B. 1682
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Section 41 provides for the electronic transmission of public school transcripts to correctly enroll and place students transferrred between high schools. The act also requires the Department of Educaiton to develop a uniform method of formatting and electronically transmitting transcripts to be used by public K-8 for enrolling and transferring students. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Student Records)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires the state Board of Education to prescribe uniform college level preparatory and grade point average requirements for teacher preparation.
(Act No. 846)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2792.pdf
Title: H.B. 2792
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Sections 23 and 24 of the act amend the provisions of Arkansas Code 6-17-410 and 6-17-414 concerning issuance of new teacher licenses, and employment of nonlicensed personnel who have criminal backgrunds. Act adds new criminal offenses to the list of offenses that form the basis for the denial of a teaching license issuance or renewal and for nonlicensed personnel non-eligibility for employment within a public school district. (Act No. 1573)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB274.pdf
Title: S.B. 274 (Teacher Certification)
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program to assist rural and/or small districts in providing appropriately certified licensed teachers to teach required courses in grades 9-12; requires written agreement between teacher and district on the number of courses to be taught and the amount of the bonus to be provided to the traveling teacher. Agreement is to specify, for each course to be taught, the description of the course, time and day for teaching the course, the location where the course is to be taught, whether the agreement is for a school semester or a school year. Provisions also cover payment to the host school district by the receiving school district. The agreement requires approval by the Department of Education. Department of Education may establish an online registry of public school teachers willing to enter into traveling teacher agreements. (Act No. 1027)
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2007/public/SB843.pdf
Title: S.B. 843
Source: ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Arkansas Alternative Pay Programs Act which relates to a salary amount that is part of a certified or classified school employees total compensation for additional responsibilities, mastery of new knowledge and skills, advanced career opportunities, increased student achievement, attracting highly qualified teachers, or professional development exceeding state minimums. (Act No. 847)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB54.pdf
Title: S.B. 54
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2007 |
P-12 |
Creates a pilot program to restructure the teacher professional pay system to be known as the Rewarding Excellence in Achievement Program (REAP).
(Act No. 1029)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2515.pdf
Title: H.B. 2614
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides a major revision of the Public Charter School Law. Amends Public Charter School Law to allow for obtaining conversion public charter school status, open-enrollment public charter school status, or limited public charter school status. Defines the three types. Allows for conversion of school to charter status as a probationary measure for failure to meet academic or fiscal performance criteria. Limits open-enrollment in public school district until after the third year of the administrative reorganization. Grants open-enrollment public charter school the right of first refusal to purchase or lease for fair market value a closed public school facility or unused portion of a public school facility from which it draws its students. (Act. No. 736)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1504.pdf
Title: H.B. 1504
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Relates to an act to repeal the requirement that college juniors take the Rising Junior Exam.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB203.pdf
Title: S.B. 203
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Science and Technology Authority to support an alliance of research universities, chancellors and presidents, and representatives of the private business sector for the purposes of creating jobs, increasing research, and encouraging economic development. (Act No. 563)
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2007/public/HB2413.pdf
Title: H.B. 2413
Source: ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends the public school funding act of 2003; ensures that every public school district in the state receives the full amount of foundation funding; relates to daily membership of students.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1632.pdf
Title: H.B. 1632
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides enhanced educational funding by supplementing the amount of per student foundation funding distributed to school districts for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. Changes funding to meet a mandated funding increase set by the courts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1633.pdf
Title: H.B. 1633
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to an act to increase the early literacy skills of children by creating a literacy skills component to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program; provides that each applicant for the scholarship shall agree that for each year the scholarship is awarded he or she may volunteer to serve as a literacy tutor in a public school. Act No. 341
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1487.pdf
Title: H.B. 1487
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Lowers the age of enrollment in kindergarten in public school from 5 by September 1 in 2009-2010, for the 2010-2011 school year
the cutoff age would be August 15; 2011-2012 and afterwards, 5 on or before August 1 of the year they are seeking initial enrollment.
(Act No. 462)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB217.pdf
Title: S.B. 217
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Accountability |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Creates the legislative task force on higher education remediation, retention, and graduation rates; provides for the appointment of its members; describes its mission and responsibilities.
(Act No. 570)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2736.pdf
Title: H.B. 2736
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Provides free tuition at state-supported institutions of higher education for children of disabled veterans; includes children legally adopted or under the guardianship of a disabled veteran. (Act No. 717)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB838.pdf
Title: S.B. 838
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Section 529 Plan Review Committee to create a pilot program to be known as the Aspiring Scholars Matching Grant Program to match the contribution made into an account for a designated beneficiary established under the state tax-deferred tuition savings program. (Act No. 597)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SB822.pdf
Title: S.B. 822
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to provide the Bureau of Legislative Research with direct access to certain electronic databases; requires the department provide the bureau with direct read and report only access to the data warehouse concerning school districts and related records; requires the department to take reasonable precautions to prevent disclosure of personally identifiable information of a student unless it is released by a parent or guardian or a student that is no longer a minor. (Act No. 624)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2268.pdf
Title: H.B. 2268
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides for the promotion of economic development by creating a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Fund to increases the state's ability to compete for jobs in the twenty-first century; provides the fund is created for the purpose of retaining, recruiting and attracting competent teachers is those fields by providing industry- competitive incomes to certified, qualified teachers who teach in those subject areas. (Act No. 564)
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2007/public/HB2414.pdf
Title: H.B. 2414
Source: ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Provides state high school students with comprehensive information concerning college scholarships and state-funded programs for developing technical job skills.
(Act No. 474)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2245.pdf
Title: H.B. 2245
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students--Mobility |
Signed into law 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Amends certain provisions of the Public School Choice Act of 1989; provides that any student who accepts a school choice transfer may return to his or her resident district during the course of the school year; provides that if the transferred student returns to his or her resident district during the school year, the student's transfer is voided and the student shall reapply for any future transfer. (Act No. 552)
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB2251.pdf
Title: H.B. 2251
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
To governor 03/2007 |
P-12 |
Requests a study be conducted to determine the essential components of an exemplary statewide teacher support system and requesting the department of education to develop a plan for implementation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/SCR19.pdf
Title: S.C.R. 19
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2007 |
P-12 |
Improves safety in Arkansas schools; provides schools with information regarding the arrest, detention, and punishment of students; requires that when a court orders that a juvenile have a safety plan that restricts or requires supervised contact with another juvenile or juveniles, the court shall direct that a copy of the plan and a copy of the court order regarding the plan be forwarded to the school superintendent and school counselor where the juvenile is enrolled.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1041.pdf
Title: H.B. 1041
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2007 |
P-12 |
Relates to Webb's law; provides that upon the suspension of a student, the school shall immediately contact the student's parent or legal guardian to notify that person of the suspension; provides that each parent or legal guardian shall provide the school a primary call number, an e-mail address, if the parent or guardian does not have a telephone, or a current mailing address if no telephone or e-mail address.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1145.pdf
Title: H.B. 1145
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2007 |
Postsec. |
Requires the state Higher Education Coordinating Board to promulgate guidelines for the disclosure to students of information regarding a sex offenders when information regarding such offenders is released to an institution of higher education by a local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction; requires the board of directors of an institution of higher education to adopt a written policy regarding such disclosure to students. Act No. 147
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1274.pdf
Title: H.B. 1274
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School Safety--Bullying Prevention/Conflict Resolution |
Signed into law 02/2007 |
P-12 |
Defines bullying and to include cyberbullying in public school district antibullying policies.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2007/public/HB1072.pdf
Title: H.B. 1072
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative |
Adopted 07/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes requirements and procedures for obtaining teacher licensure through the Arkansas Department of Education Non-Traditional Licensure Program. ARKANSAS 4667
http://arkansased.org/rules/pdf/current/ade_240_nontradlic0706_current.pdf
Title: AAC 005.16.06-002
Source: http://arkansased.org/ |
Curriculum--Science |
Veto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 04/2006 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Appropriates funds to the Department of Higher Education - to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account - for grants for the Elementary Science Specialist Program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/SB16.pdf
Title: S.B. 16
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Finance |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Requires detailed financial impact statements for administrative rules promulgated by the state board.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1016.pdf
Title: H.B. 1016A
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Amends the public school funding formula to ensure adequate funding for students in school districts with declining enrollment and school districts with isolated schools receiving special needs funding.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/SB24.pdf
Title: S.B. 24
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Provides that any cost study analysis, cost study audit, adequacy study, or other study commissioned or funded by the General Assembly and any conclusions or recommendations resulting from a cost study analysis, cost study audit, adequacy study or other study are not binding upon the General Assembly.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1030.pdf
Title: H.B. 1030
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Finance--Bonds |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Removes the statutory limitation on bonded indebtedness for school districts.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1007.pdf
Title: H.B. 1007
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Concerns uniform reporting requirements for school district fund balances.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1018.pdf
Title: H.B. 1018, S.B. 7
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
States nine percent of foundation funding must be dedicated by districts to payment of utilities and costs of maintenance and renovation.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/SB27.pdf
Title: S.B. 27
Source: |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Addresses issues raised by the state supreme court. Increases foundation funding provided by the state.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/SB27.pdf
Title: S.B. 27A
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Rule Adoption 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Sets rules governing consolidation or annexation of public school districts and boards of directors of local school districts.
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/ar_rules/rule_proposed/005.23.06-001P.pdf
Title: AAC 005.23.06
Source: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes the extraordinary circumstances program for public school academic facilities.The Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation division shall develop by rule the Academic Facilities Extraordinary Circumstances Program under which the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation shall provide state financial assistance to eligible school districts that do not have sufficient means to contribute an amount of local resources necessary to qualify for state financial participation under the Academic Facilities Partnership Program or the Academic Facilities Catastrophic Program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1036.pdf
Title: H.B. 1036, S.B. 22
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Establishes Teacher of the Year program, directs state board to recognize annually a Teacher of the Year. That teacher will be placed on paid administrative leave for one year to provide professional development and other assistance. District to be reimbursed by the state for cost of administrative leave. Teacher of the year also to be a non-voting advisory member for the state board. Clarifies state and district responsibilities.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1031.pdf
Title: H.B. 1031
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Implements new additions to the rules governing the addition of areas of licensure or endorsement to an existing teaching license. Deletes rules that have expired or are no longer needed, clarifies definitions and requirements for adding additional areas and endorsements to an existing teaching license.
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/rules/pdf/current_rules/ade_235_addareas06_current.pdf#search=%22%22ADDITION%20OF%20AREAS%20OF%20LICENSURE%20OR%20ENDORSEMENT%20%22
Title: AAC. 005.16.06
Source: http://arkedu.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Directs districts to have in place a salary schedule with at least the minimum levels of compensation for a basic contract spelled out in the bill.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/SB27.pdf
Title: S.B. 27
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 04/2006 |
P-12 |
Directs the department of education to further enhance its leadership role in professional development for certified personnel by: (1) Developing technology-based professional development programs and other enhanced professional development options for school districts and certified personnel; and (2) Employing two persons who have a high level of expertise in professional development for the purpose of enhancing professional development opportunities as set forth in this section. Provides for funding, declares emergency and effectivness of bill upon passage.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2006S1/public/HB1012.pdf
Title: H.B. 1012
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ |
School/District Structure/Operations--Libraries |
Rule Adoption 03/2006 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Proposes rules for distributing scholarship assistance to public libraries in order to address the education needs of public library staff.
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/ar_rules/rule_proposed/121.00.05-001P.pdf
Title: AAC 121.00.05
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to conduct an on-campus Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools review for each school district in the state at least once every four years. Authorizes the department of education to visit any school campus for an on-campus Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools review at other additional times as determined necessary by the director of the department of education or the state board of education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2757.pdf
Title: H.B. 2757
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases from six to nine the number of hours of training that a newly elected member of a school board of directors is required to obtain following election. Specifies that every local board member who has served for at least 12 consecutive months must complete six hours of training annually. Requires training for both new and experienced board members to include topics relevant to school laws, school operations, and the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the local board members, including legal requirements, role differentiation, financial management and improving student achievement. Allows hours of training and instruction obtained in excess of the minimum requirements each year to accumulate and be carried forward from year to year.
Requires a statement of each board member's hours of training and instruction in the preceding year be: (A) Part of the comprehensive school plan and goals; (B) Published in the same way that other components of the comprehensive school plan and goals are required to be published; and (C) Made a part of the annual school performance report.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2517.pdf
Title: H.B. 2517
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Concerns assessments scores for students attending the Arkansas school for mathematics, sciences and the arts of the University of Arkansas. Requires assessment scores under the Arkansas Comprehensive, Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program for
assessments taken by students attending the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts to be sent to the public school district the student attended immediately prior to transferring to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Requires these scores to be included on the school district's reports.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2881.pdf
Title: H.B. 2881
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the End-of-Course Success Incentive Program under the department of education. Awards schools $50.00 for each student passing the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt. These funds must be utilized in the schools to improve student academic performance. Allows a teacher teaching a course that has a state-required end-of-course assessment to be awarded subsidized teacher training for that particular course at a cost not to exceed $650 per teacher.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1983.pdf
Title: H.B. 1983 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Program Act. Requires the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and
Transportation to develop a comprehensive Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Program that includes an academic facilities master plan program; an academic facilities custodial, maintenance, repair, and renovation manual; a public school academic facility manual; a public school academic equipment manual; and an academic facilities distress program. Defines each of the components of the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Program and the areas each component must address.
Establishes the provisions of the academic facilites master plan program, which requires every local board to approve a ten-year districtwide facilities master plan for submission to and approval by the division of public school academic facilities and transportation. Specifies the required content of every district's facilities master plan.
Requires the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to identify a public school or school district as being in academic facilities distress if the division determines that the public school or school district has engaged in actions or inactions that result in any act or violation determined by the division to jeopardize any academic facility used by a public school or school district, or any other condition of an academic facility or facilities in a public school or school district that is determined by the division to have a detrimental impact on educational services provided by that public school or school district. Requires the division to provide the district with written notification of its being in academic facilities distress. Requires a public school or school district identified as being in facilities distress to develop a facilities improvement plan within 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice and promptly submit the facilities improvement plan to the division for review and approval, and revise the plan on a periodic basis.
Authorizes the division to:
--Provide on-site technical evaluation and assistance to any school district identified to be in facilities distress, and to make recommendations to the district superintendent regarding the care and maintenance of any academic facility in the district. Requires the district in facilities distress to accept such on-site technical evaluation and assistance.
--Require the superintendent to relinquish all administrative authority with respect to the school district and appoint an individual in place of the superintendent to administratively operate the school district under the supervision and approval of the Director of the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.
--Suspend or remove all of the current board members and call for the election of a new school board for the district, in which case the school district must reimburse the county board of election commissioners for election costs as otherwise required by law;
--Require the school district to operate without a local board under the supervision of the local superintendent or an individual or panel appointed by the director of the division;
--Return the administration of the school district to the former board or place the administration of the school district in a newly elected school board;
--Require school district staff and employees to attend training in areas of concern for the public school or school district;
--Require a school district to cease immediately all expenditures related to activities not described as part of an adequate education in § 6-20-2302 and place money that would have been spent on the activities into an academic facilities escrow account to be released only upon approval by the division for use in conjunction with a local academic facilities project.
--Notify the public school or school district in writing that the deficiencies regarding academic facilities must be corrected within a
time period designated by the division;
--Petition the state board at any time for the consolidation, annexation, or reconstitution of a school district in facilities distress or take other appropriate action as specified in statute in order to secure and protect the best interest of the educational resources of the state or to provide for the best interests of students in the school district. Allows the state board to consolidate, annex, reconstitute any school district that fails to remove itself from the classification of a school district in facilities distress within two consecutive school years of receipt of notice of identification of facilities distress status by the division; and
--Take any other action allowed by law that is deemed necessary to assist a public school or school district in removing criteria of facilities distress.
Allows a district to appeal the state board's consolidation, annexation, or reconstitution decision to the Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation. Authorizes the commission to reverse the action of the state board if the commission finds that the school district could not remove itself from facilities distress due to external forces beyond the school district's control.
Allows any student attending a public school district classified as being in facilities distress to be automatically eligible to transfer to another geographically contiguous school district not in facilities distress during the time period that a district is classified as being in facilities distress. Requires transportation costs to be paid by the resident district and the nonresident district to count the student for average daily membership purposes.
Requires the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to conduct random unannounced on-site inspections of all academic facilities that have been funded wholly or in part by moneys from the state to ensure compliance with the school district's facilities master plan and, if applicable, the school district's facilities improvement plan. Requires the division to report to the Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation within 30 days of completion of the on-site inspections.
Establishes a process for a school district to appeal any determination of the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to the Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.
Repeals Arkansas Code § 6-20-1402 on school districts' authority to borrow money for building or repairing school facilities and Arkansas Code § 6-11-130 on custodial and maintenance care for school facilities.
Full text of bill as enacted: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB593.pdf
Title: S.B. 593
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Online Professional Development Initiative. Requires the director of the department of education to prioritize identified teacher professional development needs and develop a statewide online professional development program. Requires online professional development courses to be aligned with (1) the required focus areas identified in the state board rules governing professional development and the Arkansas Comprehensive, Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program, (2) clear, specific and challenging academic content areas; (3) the state curriculum frameworks. Additionally requires the courses to be (1) researched-based and available from sources with
expertise in technology-delivered professional development courses; (2) consistent with the Southern Regional Education Board
Multi-State Online Professional Development Standards in existence on January 1, 2005; (3) focused on improving student academic achievement by improving a teacher's academic and teaching knowledge and skills. Requires courses to include an assessment at the end of the program to measure each certified person's level of understanding and ability to implement or apply the information presented in the program.
Requires any provider of technology-delivered professional development under the Arkansas Online Professional Development Initiative to demonstrate an ability to successfully deliver technology-delivered products and services.
Requires the initiative to include a method for the department of education, the Arkansas Educational Television Network, school districts, schools and certified personnel to annually evaluate the effectiveness of the Arkansas Online Professional Development Initiative and its on-line professional development course and programs.
Authorizes the department, beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, to include as part of a school improvement plan guidelines for the professional development programs to be delivered to the certified personnel employed by a school in school improvement status or a school district in school improvement status or academic distress. Authorizes the department to require the participation and completion of professional development courses or programs by certified personnel in the school or district as part of the school improvement plan. States that certified personnel employed by any school in school improvement or school district in school improvement or academic distress must participate in, complete, and pass the assessment for the professional development requirements included in the school's or district's school improvement plan.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2489.pdf
Title: H.B. 2489
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Limits professional development requirements for certified personnel working solely in the following adult education programs: (1) Adult basic education; (2) General adult education; (3) English as a second language for adults; and (4) General Educational Development Test examiners. 34http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1150.pdf
Title: S.B. 1150
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes system for districts to report all students' scores on end-of-course assessments. Requires the division of public school accountability to:
(i) Match each student's end-of-course test score with the letter grade received in the corresponding course;
(ii) Report each student's end-of-course test score matched with the letter grade the student received in the corresponding course to the school district;
(iii) Create a report of the percentage of students who received a letter grade of "B" or above in the corresponding course and passed the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt; and
(iv) Create a report of the percentage of students who received a letter grade of "B" or above in the corresponding course and did not pass the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt.
Requires the division of public school accountability to annually report to the state board and the General Assembly the name, address, and superintendent of any high school in which more than 20% of the students received a letter grade of "B" or above but did not pass the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt. The report must also indicate by high school the number of students receiving a letter grade of "B" or above in the corresponding course who did not pass the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt.
Requires the department to investigate the classroom practices of any district in which more than 20% of the students received a letter grade of "B" or above but did not pass the end-of-course assessment on his or her first attempt; and provide the superintendent and local board with written recommendations or changes that would improve classroom instruction and student performance on end-of-course assessments.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1983.pdf
Title: H.B. 1983 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires a student not passing an immediately previous grades 3-8 benchmark assessment or in a secondary level end-of-course assessment to participate in remediation activities as required in the student's individualized academic improvement plan beginning in the school year the
assessment results are reported. If a student with disabilities has an individualized education program that addresses any academic area or areas in which the student is not proficient on state-mandated criterion-referenced assessments, the individualized education program meets the requirements of the aforementioned academic improvement plan. Requires districts to notify the student's parent of the parent's role and responsibilities as well as the consequences for the student's failure to participate in the plan.
Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, requires students in grades 3-8 identified as not passing a benchmark assessment and who fail to participate in the subsequent academic improvement plan to be retained and not promoted to the next grade until the student is deemed to have participated in an academic improvement plan or the student passes the benchmark assessment for the current grade level in which the student is retained.
Beginning with the 2005-2006 school year, mandates that any student required to take an end-of-course assessment who does not pass a particular assessment must participate in remediation activities as required in the student's individualized academic improvement plan in the school year the assessment results are reported in order to receive credit on his or her transcript for the course related to the end-of-course assessment.
Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, requires all initial end-of-course assessments to be administered by grade 10 for each student. Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, a student who does not pass an initial end-of-course assessment may receive credit for the course until the student passes a subsequent end-of-course assessment; or the student, by the end of grade twelve 12, passes an Alternative assessment directly related to the Alternative exit course. If a student does not meet the satisfactory pass levels on an initial end-of-course assessment or does not satisfy the remedial requirements, that student will not graduate with a high school diploma from an Arkansas high school or charter school.
To the extent any school district is determined to have knowingly failed to administer these provisions of law or rules, the superintendent's license shall be subject to probation, suspension or revocation.
Requires tthe department of education to annually make public at least 50% of the test questions on the most recent initial benchmark and end-of-course assessments.
Creates Alternative Exit Course and Alternative Course Exam for students who have failed an end-of-course assessment three times. Requires such a student to take and pass an Alternative exit course and meet a satisfactory Alternative level score on a subsequent Alternative assessment to graduate from high school. Allows the Alternative exit course to be offered through a distance learning class and to be offered by the district outside the course of the normal school day.
Repeals Arkansas Code § 6-15-203 on remediation and student promotion/retention.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2824.pdf
Title: H.B. 2824
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Modifies eligibility requirements for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program, effective for applicants graduating from an Arkansas high school after December 31, 2009. Requires an applicant to have completed the Smart Core curriculum and have met the existing requirement of passing the end-of-course examinations in reading and writing literacy and mathematics. Adds that a sub-score of 19 or higher on the ACT may equate meeting the requirements for passing end-of-course examinations for applicants to the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program and the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program for a student who has not had an opportunity to take an end-of-course exam, has not passed the end-of-course exam, or attends a private school or home school.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1983.pdf
Title: H.B. 1983 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the department of human services to communicate with a foster child's school concerning placement issues that may impact the child's ability to learn. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2604.pdf
Title: H.B. 2604
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases the number and availability of social workers in the public schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1187.pdf
Title: S.B. 1187
Source: StateNet |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
States that teacher certification requirements do not apply to persons teaching concurrent credit courses or advanced placement courses who: (i) Are employed by a postsecondary institution; (ii) Meet the qualification requirements of that institution or the department of workforce education; and (iii) Are teaching in a course in which credit is offered by an institution of higher education or a technical institute.
Also states that grade level/subject matter teacher certification requirements do not apply to licensed teachers teaching in the following settings:
(i) An alternative learning environment;
(ii) A juvenile detention facility;
(iii) A residential and day alcohol, drug, and psychiatric facility program;
(iv) An emergency youth shelter;
(v) A facility of the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services; or
(vi) A facility of the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services of the Department of Human Services; and
(E) A licensed special education teacher teaching two or more core academic subjects exclusively to children with disabilities.
Authorizes the department fo education to offer and operate a nontraditional teacher licensure program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 16-17)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Alternative Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the public school funding act of 2003. Requires the State Board of Education to promulgate rules clarifying not only which alternative learning environment programs qualify for funding, but also the characteristics of students who qualify for funding because they have been placed in an alternative learning environment program. Clarifies attendance record requirements for purposes of state funding. Adds definitions of the teacher's salary fund, operating fund and debt service fund. Modifies language defining "National school lunch students." Modifies formula for calculating student growth funding for 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years.
Adds language that a school district that has experienced a significant growth in enrolled students in the previous 3 years must receive funding for the expected increase in the number of national school lunch students based on the expected increase in enrolled students based on the levels of funding provided in this section for national school lunch students. Requires the state board to adopt rules determining specified provisions of this policy.
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/SB939.pdf
Title: S.B. 939
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Attendance |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides an excused absence from school for the one day a student is serving as a page for the general assembly. States that the student may be allowed additional instructional assignment days at the discretion of the school district.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2461.pdf
Title: H.B. 2461
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Incorporates references to the state's Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Expands the definition of "cause" for purposes of waiving or suspending a teacher's license. Among changes to definition, includes knowingly falsifying or directing another to falsify any grade given to a student, whether the grade was given for an individual assignment or examination or at the conclusion of a regular grading period. Deletes references to voluntary surrender of license. Allows state board to determine an applicant for a noncertified position in a district ineligible for employment has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere for specified crimes; is required to pass an examination as a requirement of his or her position and the applicant's completed examination test score was declared invalid because of the applicant's improper conduct; has an expunged or pardoned conviction for any sexual or physical abuse offense committed against a child; knowingly submits or provides false or misleading information or knowingly fails to submit or provide information requested or required by law to the department of education, the state board of education, or the division of legislative audit; or knowingly falsifies or directs another to falsify any grade given to a student, whether the grade was given for an individual assignment or examination or at the conclusion of a regular grading period.
Amends definition of "fraudulent act" in Arkansas Code § 6-17-421.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 1-10)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows criminal history background checks of certain students and prospective students. Allows electronic dissemination of criminal history information to institutions of higher education for students enrolled in, and prospective students seeking enrollment to, a medical, nursing, pharmacy, or other health-related course of study at an institution of higher education in the state, with the written consent of the student or prospective student for the noncriminal justice purposes.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2595.pdf
Title: H.B. 2595
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Ensures the preservation of historical artifacts of school districts subject to consolidation, deconsolidation or reclassification as a conversion charter. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2732.pdf
Title: H.B. 2732
Source: StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Authorizes charter schools to enter into public-private partnerships whereby the charter school enters into lease purchase agreements for school buildings built by the private entities with federal tax-exempt facilities bonds. Extends the charter school performance contract from three to five years. Requires hearings for charter modification or probation to be held at a state board meeting rather than at the charter school facility. Specifies that the state board shall not approve any charter school which hampers, delays or in any manner negatively affects the desegregation efforts of a school district or districts. Specifies that a public school petition for conversion charter status may
include the following purposes:
(A) Adopting research-based school or instructional designs, or both, that focus on improving student and school performance;
(B) Addressing school improvement status resulting from sanctions listed in § 6-15-207(c)(8) and 6-15-429(a) and (b); or
(C) Partnering with other districts or schools to address students' needs in a geographical location or multiple locations.
Eliminates prior provision that state board give preference in approving an application for a charter school to be located in any public school district where the percentage of students not reading at grade level is above the average for the state. Replaces it with preference for approving an application for a charter school to be located in any public school district classified by the state board as in academic distress or classified by the department of education as showing the greatest need for school improvement under § 6-15-426.
Increases from 12 to 24 the number of charters the state board may grant, and provides a schedule for phasing in such approvals for the 2005-06 through 2007-08 academic years. Eliminates cap of 3 charters to be granted in any single congressional district in the state. Adds that a charter applicant's school campus must be limited to a single open-enrollment charter school per charter.
Recognizes the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) Delta College Preparatory open-enrollment charter school as an effective method for meeting the statutory purpose and intent of the Arkansas Charter School Act, § 6-23-102; closing the achievement gap in public schools for economically disadvantaged, racial and ethnic subgroups, § 6-15-401 et seq. and § 6-15-1601 et seq.; and otherwise providing an alternative proven adequate and equitable education to Arkansas students. Authorizes any charter applicant that receives an approved open-enrollment charter under the 2005-2008 expansion to petition the state board for additional licenses to establish open-enrollment charter school in any congressional districts in Arkansas provided that the applicant meets the following conditions:
(i) The approved open-enrollment charter petitioner is sponsored by and approved by the Knowledge Is Power Program; and
(ii) The approved open-enrollment charter petitioner has not been subject to any disciplinary action by the State Board; has not been classified as in school improvement, academic or fiscal distress; and has not had its open-enrollment charter placed on probation, suspended or revoked; and
(iii) The state board determines in writing by majority of a quorum of the board present that the open-enrollment charter petitioner has generally established certain educational program results and criteria.
Bars a private or parochial elementary or secondary school from eligible for open-enrollment charter school status.
Moves student enrollment deadline in a charter school from April 15 to July 1.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1130.pdf
Title: S.B. 1130
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Deletes definitions of "consolidated average daily membership," "consolidated national school lunch student total" and "national school lunch students" from consolidation/reorganization provisions. Deletes provision that no school facility in a school district included in the consolidation list required by § 6-13-1602 may be closed by the state board or a local school board until after completion of an assessment of public school facilities by the Joint Committee on Educational Facilities. Repeals section 6-13-1604 related to administrative consolidation assistance funds and 6-13-1605 on non-impact of reorganization on charter schools.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 21-27)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 1989. Requires the department of education to develop a proposed set of rules as the department deems necessary or desirable to amend the provisions of Arkansas Code § 6-18-206, to present to the House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education by October 1, 2006, for the committees' review and consideration for possible amendments to this section and the Arkansas Public School Choice Program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1040.pdf
Title: S.B. 1040
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Includes salaries or supplemental pay for staff for organized physical activity courses as provided under Act 660 of 2005 in the definitions of "Athletic expenditures" and "Interschool scholastic activity expenditures."
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2916.pdf
Title: H.B. 2916
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends in-service training requirements for teachers of Arkansas history . http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb187.pdf
Title: S.B. 187
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows a high school course offered under the international baccalaureate diploma program to be treated the same as an advanced placement course in terms of the state grading scale and weighted credit, teacher licensure requirements, district reporting of courses offered and test fee reimbursement. Renames The Arkansas Advanced Placement Incentive Program Act of 1995 the Arkansas Advanced Placement and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1054.pdf
Title: S.B. 1054
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows motor vehicles seized by law enforcement agencies to be donated to school districts for driver's education courses. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2828.pdf
Title: H.B. 2828
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority to develop a knowledge-based technology curriculum for use in grades 7-12 beginning in the 2007-2008 school year. Requires the curriculum to include a collection of the substantive material used to teach a particular subject matter, lesson plans and recommendations for activities and other learning processes.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2964.pdf
Title: H.B. 2964
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Demographics--Enrollments |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Modifies procedures for conducting the school enrollment census. Requires school census to reflect students transferring into or out of the school from October 1 to September 30th of the following school year, rather than from October 1 to the end of the same school year. Clarifies that the number of students transferring out is to be determined only by the number of official transcripts requested by other schools. Makes other technical changes to school enrollment census procedures.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (section 18)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows a school district to close an isolated school or part thereof following an annexation or consolidation. Specifies that the state board may approve a motion to close such a school if the closure is in the best interest of the students in the school district as a whole. Bars the state board from allowing an isolated school to be closed if it finds the closure will have any negative impact on desegregation efforts or will violate any valid court order from a court of proper jurisdiction.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1289.pdf
Title: H.B. 1289
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows the Desegregation Litigation Oversight Subcommittee to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to facilitate a final resolution of the various desegregation cases in the state to which the state of Arkansas or its officers are a party. Authorizes the subcommittee to contract with experts or other unbiased sources to facilitate a final resolution to desegregation cases in the state.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2701.pdf
Title: H.B. 2701
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.u |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Public School Desegregation Lawsuit Resolution Task Force to serve with the members of the Desegregation Litigation Oversight Subcommittee. Requires the task force to (1) Study methods of bringing a final resolution to desegregation litigation and related matters involving the state; (2) Hire and direct experts as may be necessary to facilitate a final resolution of desegregation litigation and related matters involving the state; and (3) Make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the resolution of desegregation litigation and related matters involving the state.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb974.pdf
Title: S.B. 974
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec. |
Expands the opportunities for nurses to receive graduate education through the student loan and scholarship program. Defines "advanced nursing practice," "advanced practice nursing" and "nurse administrator." Eliminates definition of "primary care nursing." Allows Graduate Nurse Educator Loan and Scholarship Board to provide advanced nursing practice loans.Eliminates requirement that nurse education loans be for rural nurses. Allows loans to be granted to students studying to be a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, or nursing supervisor. Allows nurse educator recipient to teach as a nurse administrator or work as a nursing administrator in an Arkansas complex health care agency for one year. Requires the board to adopt regulations on the requirements for ensuring a pool of advanced nursing practitioners to serve the state with a priority on health professions shortage areas.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB578.pdf
Title: S.B. 578
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Education Research |
Issued 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Declares Arkansas will participate in the Compact for Education Research and Development. Council is intended to create a partnership among member states for purposes of creating a high quality, sustained research and development effort that would improve teaching, learning, and effective management of schools throughout the member states.
Title: Executive Order 04-01
Source: Governor's Web Site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the Academic Facilities Oversight Committee and the advisory committee on public school academic facilities. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB591.pdf
Title: S.B. 591
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases state foundation funding to provide sufficient funds for teacher insurance. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1559.pdf
Title: H.B. 1559
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Updates various provisions of the Arkansas code related to public school finance. One provision changes policy from allowing to requiring any increase in Educational Excellence Trust Fund funds allocated for teacher salaries to be used by school districts to provide salary increases for current certified personnel positions and for no other purpose.
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/SB338.pdf
Title: S.B. 338
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Litigation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Conforms the Arkansas Code to comply with the Arkansas Supreme Court decision in the Lake View case. Requires any school district that was administratively consolidated or administratively annexed under §§6-13-1601 32 through 6-13-1605 to file a written report with the legislature and the department of education on the (1) inclusion of parents in the resulting district's activities, including parent-teacher associations, booster clubs and parent involvement committees; (2) the extent of student participation in extracurricular activities, itemized by each extracurricular activity offered by the district and for each activity indicate which district the student attended prior to reorganization; and (3) the employment status of each administrator by name, gender and race before the annexation or consolidation, which school employed the administrator prior to consolidation, and his or her employment status in the receiving or resulting school district.
Requires resulting school districts to use a state-approved instrument to survey parents and students on: (1) Opportunities for inclusion or participation in the resulting or receiving school district; and (2) The efforts, if any, that were made to include parents from the affected school district in the receiving or resulting school district's activities, including but not limited to parent-teacher associations, booster clubs, and parent involvement committees.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2646.pdf
Title: H.B. 2646
Source: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--State Budgets/Expenditures |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
States the purposes and sources of funds for the Educational Facilities Partnership Fund Account and the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Fund Account.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb877.pdf
Title: S.B. 877
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
An act to restrict school districts from employing relatives of board members.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1867.pdf
Title: H.B. 1867
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Repeals county boards of education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1701.pdf
Title: H.B. 1701
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Bars all local boards from having an even number of members, regardless of prior annexation or consolidation agreements. Requires any resultant change in the number of members on a local school board to be effective upon the directors' taking office following the 2005 annual school election. Requires lots to be drawn if a local board cannot agree upon the method of reducing the number of members to create an odd number of members.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 11-13)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Repeals Arkansas Code § 6-14-120 pertaining to the election of school district boards of directors.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (section 32)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Governance--State Boards/Chiefs/Agencies |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Renames the position of director of the department of education the commissioner of education. Reorganizes the department of education into departments under the commissioner of education. Effective July 1, 2007, shifts oversight for the division of public school accountability in the department of education from the state board to the commissioner of education
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2530.pdf
Title: H.B. 2530
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows a student to carry and use an asthma inhaler or auto-injectable epinephrine, or both, while in school, at an on-site school-sponsored activity, or at an off-site school-sponsored activity with parental written authorization and appropriate medical documentation. Prohibits a student from sharing, transferring, or in any way diverting his or her own medications to any other person.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2976.pdf
Title: H.B. 2976
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health--Child Abuse |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the Child Maltreatment Act to includes acts involving drugs, alcohol, mistreatment and obscene behavior; includes school boards, superintendents and principals in reporting requirements. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb392.pdf
Title: S.B. 392
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, provides an elective credit towards high school graduation for serving as a student mentor. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1043.pdf
Title: S.B. 1043
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Repeals provision that notation must be made on a student's transcript to indicate each special education class included on the transcript.
Establishes that school day must consist of at least rather than fewer than six hours of instructional time.
Allows a school district to include as part of the school day the travel time between public schools or other educational programs of those students attending classes or programs authorized by law.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 14-15)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Repeals language relating to the Arkansas Interagency Distance Learning Review Commission. Establishes the Distance Learning Coordinating Council. Assigns the council to evaluate distance learning activities for K-12 education across the state and determine if distance learning activities are being conducted through a collaborative process that maximizes the utilization of the state's technical and educational resources. Requires the council to report to the state with regard to methods for fostering collaborative processes by which distance learning content can be more effectively shared with and delivered to public schools; strategies for reducing the occurrences of isolated distance learning activities; options for spreading distance learning costs and increasing the value of shared distance learning services; and improving utilization of distance learning resources, among other areas.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB592.pdf
Title: S.B. 592
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the name of the Arkansas Distance Learning Development Project to the Arkansas Distance Learning Development Program. Allows courses offered through the program to be offered to public, private and home school students in the state. States that a home school or private school student enrolled in a distance learning course is not entitled to any rights, privileges, courses, activities or services available to a public school student or open-enrollment charter school student other than receiving appropriate credit for a completed distance learning course.
Creates new section establishing circumstances under which a public school district or open-enrollment charter school may offer distance learning courses to students enrolled in a private or home school, including that student agrees to physically attend the public school or open-enrollment charter school for purposes of taking a distance learning course taught or offered through the public school or charter school. Allows waivers of this provision on an individual basis for a student who is unable to attend due to conditions that prevent the child from physically attending a public school or an open-enrollment charter school.
Sets forth funding allowances for a public or open-enrollment charter school offers a distance learning course to one or more home school
or private school students.
States that a public school district or open-enrollment charter school may provide a virtual school or distance learning course only in keeping with the provisions of section 6-47-406.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2566.pdf
Title: H.B. 2566
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-16 or P-20 |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
As a part of the school improvement plan pursuant to § 6-15-2201, requires the state board to ensure that every district and high school develops strategies to improve student readiness for the postsecondary level based on annual analysis of the feedback report data. Requires the department of education to biennially recommend to the General Assembly statutory changes to reduce the incidence of postsecondary remediation in mathematics, reading, and writing for recent high school graduates who enroll in an institution of higher education.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1983.pdf
Title: H.B. 1983 (multiple provisions)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
P-3 |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success early childhood program. Requires any programs given priority consideration for (1) having 75% or more students scoring below proficiency on the primary benchmark exams or (2) designation for school improvement status to continue to receive priority funding to continue an established program even though the schools no longer meet criteria for priority consideration.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2677.pdf
Title: H.B. 2677
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies requirements regarding parental notification by school personnel of student misconduct, law enforcement access to a student or a student's being taken into custody. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2688.pdf
Title: H.B. 2688
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec. |
Makes it unlawful in an academic building and within one hundred feet of an academic building on the campus of an institution of higher education to solicit any person to apply for a credit card. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB1098.pdf
Title: S.B. 1098
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec. |
Amends the financial need and grade point average requirements of the Arkansas academic challenge scholarship program. Specifies that recipient of an Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship for the eighth semester is not required to be enrolled in 15 hours and must be considered a "full-time undergraduate student" if the recipient is enrolled in the appropriate number of course credit hours to earn a degree at the end of that semester. Sets forth indicators of financial need for the department to consider in awarding scholarships. Increases award amounts for all four years of the scholarship, beginning with awards made for the 2005-2006 academic year. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2610.pdf
Title: H.B. 2610
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates an act to limit college and university expenditures for academic, merit, and performance scholarships. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb300.pdf
Title: S.B. 300
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires high schools and institutions of higher education to provide uniform, electronic student transcripts to the department of higher education in order to process financial aid applications. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2488.pdf
Title: H.B. 2488
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Concerns an act to provide free tuition at state supported institutions of higher education and technical institutes for children of disabled veterans. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb466.pdf
Title: S.B. 466
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the student assistance grant program. Repeals 6-82-201 through 6-82-213. Gives the department of higher education authority for administering all state college financial assistance programs provided for by legislation or by law.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb938.pdf
Title: S.B. 938
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Amends the financial eligibility requirements for the Arkansas academic challenge scholarship program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb940.pdf
Title: S.B. 940
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Provides that as of January 1, 2005, contributions to the Arkansas tax-deferred tuition savings program are deductible from Arkansas income tax, up to $5,000 per taxpayer per tax year. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb286.pdf
Title: S.B. 286
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Establishes a growth pool of 200 non-classified and 100 classified positions for two-year institutions of higher education, to be used by these institutions in the event that these institutions' personnel service needs during the 2005-2007 biennium exceed the number of positions allocated to them by the General Assembly.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1376.pdf
Title: H.B. 1376
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Creates a funding formula for universities. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB1082.pdf
Title: S.B. 1082
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec. |
Concerns a funding formula model for two-year colleges.
Title: S.B. 1083
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Success--Completion |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
Postsec. |
An act to improve retention and graduation rates at public colleges and universities.
Title: S.B. 288
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Ensures the continuation of efforts to close the achievement gaps in school districts subject to reorganization or reclassification. Requires a receiving or resulting school district in a school consolidation to obtain and retain all student and historical records and documents from the
affected school district, specifically including, but not limited to: (1) Student transcripts; (2) Graduation records; (3) Minutes and other legal documents of the local board of directors; (4) Maps or boundary documents; (5) Sports records, trophies, and awards; (6) Employee records; and (7) Financial records.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1028.pdf
Title: S.B. 1028
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Assists resulting school districts with debt relief resulting from a consolidation required by law. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2734.pdf
Title: H.B. 2734
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires the house interim committee on education and the senate interim committee to jointly conduct a study of education service cooperatives relative to instructional improvements and support services to the department of education and local school districts. Requires the committees to complete the study and make their findings and recommendations by October 31, 2006. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2645.pdf
Title: H.B. 2645
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires notification of affected school districts of all planning, development, or redevelopment activity within a municipality or county. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1006.pdf
Title: S.B. 1006
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
States that the department of education is the sole and official issuer of local education agency numbers to educational entities in the state. Requires these numbers to be issued, activated, deactivated, or changed according to the department's annual schedule.
States that an educational entity is not to be recognized as a public school district or entitled to the rights and privileges of a school district solely because the educational entity has been assigned a local educational number.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (section 20)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines "design-build," "design-builder" and "design-build contract." Permits any school district to use design-build construction as a project delivery method for the building, altering, repairing, improving, maintaining, or demolishing of any structure, or any improvement to real property owned by a school district. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1093.pdf
Title: S.B. 1093
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends Arkansas code 6-20-402. Allows a district to terminate a long-term lease agreement at the end of any fiscal year for the district. Requires all school buildings or related facilities to comply with the requirements of the Arkansas School Facility Manual in effect at the time the lease became effective. Permits a district to sublease a school building or facility whenever that building or facility is not being used for educational purposes. Requires rent from a sublease to be placed in the district's general fund; allows rent to be used for any operational or capital purpose. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1448.pdf
Title: H.B. 1448
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
This subchapter is known as and may be cited as the "Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Funding Act." Determines the value of total assesed valuation of taxable real, personal and utility property in the school district.
Establishes the the Academic Facilities Immediate Repair Program to provide school districts with state financial participation for eligible repair projects based on the school district's academic facilities wealth index.
Establishes the Academic Equipment Program to support the purchase of eligible academic equipment based on the school district's academic facilities wealth index.
Establishes the Transitional Academic Facilities Program to provide state financial participation based on a school district's academic facilities wealth index in the form of reimbursement to a school district for eligible new construction projects for which debt is incurred or funds are spent after January 1, 2005, and on or before June 30, 2006. Under the transitional academic facilities program, a school district may proceed with new construction of an academic facility through the expenditure of local resources prior to the school district's eligibility for state financial participation and may apply the expenditure of local resources after January 1, 2005, and on or before June 30, 2006, toward meeting the school district's share of financial participation in the cost of the new construction project when, and if, the school district becomes eligible for state financial participation.
Establishes the Academic Facilities Partnership Program to provide state financial participation based on a school district's academic facilities wealth index in the form of cash payments to a school district for eligible new construction projects.
Establishes the Academic Facilities Catastrophic Program to award state financial participation to a school district based on a school district's academic facilities wealth index for eligible catastrophic repair and new construction projects for the purpose of supplementing insurance or other public or private emergency assistance received by or payable to the school district.
Requires the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to establish formulas, to be updated annually, for determining the basic project cost per student for various types of new construction projects, including new academic facilities; additions to existing academic facilities; and major improvements to academic facilities that bring the state of condition or efficiency of the academic facility to a state of condition or efficiency better than the facility's original condition of completeness or efficiency.
Establishes legislative intent that school districts explore collaboration with other districts in pooling equipment, facilities and transportation.
Requires the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation to develop a program to provide emergency loans to eligible high-growth school districts for assistance with excess debt service requirements.
Allows a school district to appeal any determination of the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation under the Arkansas Public School Academic Facilities Funding Act to the Commission on Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation.
Effective July 1, 2005, Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 20, Subchapter 24 is repealed.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2508.pdf
Title: H.B. 2508
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Concerns energy savings contracts for school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1095.pdf
Title: S.B. 1095
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes procedures for the preservation, sale and/or disposal of school buildings in school districts that have been consolidated. Allows a district that determines any real estate it owns or controlls is not required for the district's present or anticipated future needs to donate the property to a non-profit organization if donation thereof would serve a beneficial educational service for the students of the district. Adds providing community programs, social enrichment programs, or after-school programs for students who are from the district or to educate pupils from within the donating school district even if other persons in the community or students from outside the district might also benefit to the purposes that such donated property may fill.
States that if the school district donates real property to an entity, the district has right of first refusal to reacquire the real property if the entity decides to sell or otherwise dispose of the real property. States that the school district is not required to compensate the entity for any improvements to real property reacquired in this manner.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2936.pdf
Title: H.B. 2936
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires school bus drivers to report certain violations of the traffic laws to the superintendent of the school district and to require the superintendent to provide the report to a local law enforcement authority. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1103.pdf
Title: S.B. 1103
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
An act to ensure that school districts are using safe buses. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb465.pdf
Title: S.B. 465
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Enacts "Isaac's law." States that a person commits negligent homicide if he or she negligently causes the death of another person while passing a stopped school bus. Increases minimum and maximum fines, minimum community service period and period during which an offender's driver's license may be suspended. States that if a school bus route includes bus stops on a multiple lane highway, the route must be designed to ensure that the bus operator always loads and unloads passengers in a manner that does not require a student to cross the highway. Requires a student being loaded or unloaded at a bus stop on a multiple lane highway to always be loaded and unloaded in a manner that does not require the student to cross the highway.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb467.pdf
Title: S.B. 467
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Directs department of education to identify school districts underperforming in the area of direct-service Medicaid billing and requires these districts to work with an education service cooperative for the provision of direct-service Medicaid billing services. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1259.pdf
Title: H.B. 1259
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides that the department of education, a public school district, or an open-enrollment charter school is not liable for any educational costs or other related costs associated with the placement of a juvenile in an in-state or out-of-state residential or inpatient facility for any care and treatment, including psychiatric treatment, unless specified requirements are met. This section does not apply to a juvenile placed in an Arkansas juvenile detention facility.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2558.pdf
Title: H.B. 2558
Source: |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the Youth Services Act and the Education law. Requires health care providers to send the division of youth services all medical and health information on a committed juvenile, including individually identifiable health information needed for the division to assume the role of caretaker for the committed juvenile, within 3 days of request. Also requires the committed juvenile's school or current educational
setting to send the education record to the division of youth services within 10 school days of the division's request. Additionally requires the court to send the committed juvenile's youth services center a copy of the commitment order as well as records or information pertaining to the juvenile compiled by the intake officer or juvenile probation officer that must include:
(i) Information on the juvenile's background, history, behavioral tendencies, and family status;
(ii) The reasons for the juvenile's commitment;
(iii) The name of the school in which the juvenile is currently or was last school enrolled;
(iv) The juvenile's offense history;
(v) The juvenile's placement history;
(vi) A copy of all psychological or psychiatric evaluations or examinations performed on the juvenile admitted into evidence or ordered by the court while under the jurisdiction of the court or the supervision of the court staff;
(vii) A comprehensive list of all current medications taken by the juvenile; and
(viii) A comprehensive list of all medical treatment currently being provided to the juvenile.
These records must be delivered to the division of youth services prior to or at the time the juvenile is transported to a youth services center.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1015.pdf
Title: S.B. 1015
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Special Populations--Homeless Education |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Modifies membership of Advisory Council for the Education of Children with Disabilities from "parents of children with disabilities" to parents of persons from birth to age 26 with disabilities. Includes officials who carry out activities under subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to act as members representing state and local education officials on the board. Adds representative from the Arkansas child welfare agency responsible for foster care to advisory council membership; modifies from one to not less than one the members representing a vocational, community, or business organization that provides transitional services to children with disabilities.
Transfers responsibility for establishing standards and qualifications for individuals to serve as hearing officers from the state board to the special education section of the department of education.
Reduces the period during which parties can bring civil action against a hearing officer's decision from 3 years to 90 days from the date of the hearing officer's decision.
Clarifies that the individualized education program (IEP) team has authority to review and revise an IEP. Specifies that the IEP must include a statement of the child's academic achievement as well as functional performance. Adds that IEP for children with disabilities who take
alternate assessments aligned to alternate achievement standards must include a description of benchmarks or short-term objectives. Adds that IEP for all students with disabilities must include a description of how the child's progress toward meeting the annual goals described in the IEP will be measured and when periodic reports will be provided on the progress the child is making toward meeting the annual goals, including the use of quarterly or other periodic reports, concurrent with the issuance of report cards.
Requires the IEP's statement of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services to be based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable.
Changes from 14 to 16 the student age at which a transition plan must be initially developed. Changes language from "a statement of the transitional service needs" to inclusion in IEP of appropriate measurable postsecondary goals based upon age-appropriate transition assessments related to training, education, employment, and where appropriate, independent living skills and the transition services, including courses of study, needed to assist the child in reaching those goals. Deletes provision relating to statement beginning at age sixteen of needed transitional services for the child.
Specifies that the individualized education program team is not required to include information under one component of a child's individualized education program that is already contained under another component of such individualized education program.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (sections 28-30)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires each district's student services plan to include a district-level tracking system for students who fail to reach proficiency on state-mandated assessments. Specifies that guidance and counseling services in each district's "student services program" include academic advisement for class selection by establishing academic goals in elementary, middle, and high school; interpretation of criterion-referenced and norm-referenced testing and dissemination of results to the school, students, parents, and community; academic assessment counseling and career counseling, including advising students on the national college assessments, workforce opportunities, and and alternative programs that could provide postsecondary opportunities for students; and guidance in understanding the relationship between classroom performance and success in school.
Specifies that the psychological services offered through a district's student services program include consultation and counseling with parents, students, and school personnel to ensure that all students are ready to succeed and that all students are preparing for college and work.
Specifies that the career services offered through a district's student services program include the dissemination of appropriate course-taking patterns and the effect of taking more rigorous courses so that students are better prepared for college and work success.
Requires every school counselor to provide a career planning process for each student to include career awareness, employment readiness, career information, and the knowledge and skill necessary to achieve career goals. Requires school counselors to also encourage parents, during regular parent conferences, to support partnerships in their children's learning and career planning process.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2868.pdf
Title: H.B. 2868
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
STEM |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Adds the President of the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority and the Executive Chief Information Officer to the membership of the Arkansas Commission for Coordination of Educational Efforts." Adds to the commission's duties, requiring the commission to make recommendations to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education from kindergarten through the bachelor's level in higher education, and make recommendations to improve the use of educational technology. Repeals provisions related to the Public Education Technology Advisory Board.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2540.pdf
Title: H.B. 2540
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Student Supports--Counseling/Guidance |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Includes guidance counselors and librarians in definition of "teacher" or "teachers" in provisions relating to incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high-priority districts. Clarifies that all teachers not newly signed to work in a high-priority district must be paid a retention bonus of $2,000 for the 2004-2005 school year as well as at the beginning of each of the next 2 subsequent years if the teacher continues to work in a high-priority district. Clarifies that a teacher not newly signed to work in a high-priority district who voluntarily leaves the district before the end of the 3-year period must pay back the bonus amount on a pro rata basis. Adds that a teacher not newly signed to work in a high-priority district is involuntarily reassigned to a position that is not eligible for bonus pay as part of the program or is dismissed involuntarily by a school district, the teacher is not required to repay the applicable bonus pay. Adds that if a teacher qualified to receive bonus pay as part of this program leaves the district due to a serious medical emergency, the teacher is not obligated to repay the bonus if the teacher provides a written statement from a licensed physician stating that the teacher is unable to work and must terminate his or her employment.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (section 31)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Deletes from definition of interschool athletic program any athletic program which is subject to regulation by the Arkansas Activities Association that is not an athletic program organized primarily for the purpose of competing with other schools, public or private.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1044.pdf
Title: S.B. 1044 (section 19)
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Ensures that the teacher daily planning period occurs during the student instructional day unless a teacher submits a written request to be allowed to have his or her planning time scheduled at some time other than during the student instructional day. Provides that a teacher who does not receive this planning time during the student instructional day must be compensated at his or her hourly rate of pay for each missed planning period except in extraordinary cases enumerated. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2793.pdf
Title: H.B. 2793
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Ensures that teachers receive a thirty-minute uninterrupted duty-free lunch period during each student instructional day. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2789.pdf
Title: H.B. 2789
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Renames the Teacher and Administrator Enhancement and Retraining Grant Program the Teacher Opportunity Program. Eliminates requirement that program applicant be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident alien. Establishes the Dual Certification Incentive Program to encourage classroom teachers currently employed in the state to return to college to obtain certification in one or more additional subject areas. Specifies conditions for a teacher to be eligible to receive program funding. Allows each district to fund up to four scholarships for teachers with at least three years of experience as a licensed classroom teacher in a public school in the state. States that any classroom teacher awarded a scholarship under the Dual Certification Incentive Program may be allowed administrative leave with pay as provided under the district's certified personnel policies as is necessary for the classroom teacher to attend college classes, travel to or from the college, and take state-mandated tests as may be necessary to obtain the additional certification. Sets forth circumstances under which a teacher having participated in the program must repay the amount of the scholarships received under the Dual Certification Incentive Program. Authorizes the state board of education to suspend the Arkansas classroom teacher's license of any individual who fails, when required to do so, to repay moneys contributed for participation in the Dual Certification Incentive Program.
States that upon earning dual certification under the Dual Certification Incentive Program, the dually certified classroom teacher must be paid a bonus of $3,000 each school year that the teacher: (A) Is employed full-time as a classroom teacher in an Arkansas public school district; and (B) Is teaching no fewer than two class periods in each of the different subject matter areas for which he or she received certification. Specifies circumstances under which an individual must lose eligibility for the annual incentive bonus.
States that the first priority for the award of funds under the Teacher Opportunity Program is the award of scholarships under the Dual Certification Incentive Program, and that any funds remaining after all awards are made under the Dual Certification Incentive Program may be made for specified other needs. Requires the department of higher education to determine priorities, based on the needs of the state, for awarding grants in the event there are more applicants than funds available.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1982.pdf
Title: H.B. 1982
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides that certified teachers for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program and the C Step Program receive substantially equal teacher salaries and benefits. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb2743.pdf
Title: H.B. 2743
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Recognizes and credits a teacher for all of his or her years of teaching experience with a valid Arkansas teaching license, regardless of whether this service was in a public school, accredited private school in Arkansas or Arkansas institution of higher education accredited by a nationally recognized higher education institution accrediting association.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1803.pdf
Title: H.B. 1803
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the classroom teacher salary requirement in the educational excellence trust fund. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1179.pdf
Title: S.B. 1179
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to have a reduction in force policy in each school district based upon objective criteria for a layoff and recall of employees.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb1042.pdf
Title: S.B. 1042
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Technology--Funding Issues |
Signed into law 04/2005 |
P-12 |
Concerns the Department of Education educational television division general network maintenance and digital conversion phase III general improvement appropriation. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1268.pdf
Title: H.B. 1268
Source: StateNet |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Leadership Academy School Support Program to train principals and teachers in schools and districts designated as being in school improvement. Specifies that any school district in school improvement may be invited, strongly encouraged, or required to participate in the program as provided in the rules of the state board of education. Requires participating schools to remain in the program for at least three consecutive school years.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2434.pdf
Title: H.B. 2434
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Ensures the continuity of educational services to foster children. Prohibits the grades of a child in foster care from being lowered for school absences resulting from a change in the child's school enrollment, the child's attendance at a dependency-neglect court proceeding, or the child's attendance at court-ordered counseling or treatment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1710.pdf
Title: H.B. 1710
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Expands upon the Arkansas Educational Financial Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004. Requires charter schools to follow the financial reporting procedures required of public school districts. Expands upon and clarifies initial and ongoing training requirements for district superintendents, educational service cooperative directors, open-enrollment charter school directors and district/open-enrollment charter school staff whose job responsibilities include preparing the budget or overall accounting responsibility. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1568.pdf
Title: H.B. 1568
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires school district auditors to comply with the requirements and prohibitions of the federal Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2700.pdf
Title: H.B. 2700
Source: StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines "organized physical activity course." Beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, allows a student in grades 9-12 successfully completing an organized physical activity course meeting certain specifications to earn .5 unit of physical education credit towards high school graduation. Specifies that a student is limited to only the .5 unit of physical education credit for graduation for the organized physical activity course, and that the student is not allowed any other credit toward graduation for that same course. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb2.pdf
Title: S.B. 2
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows grant funds for fish and wildlife conservation education to be distributed to conservation districts in addition to school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB394.pdf
Title: S.B. 394
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Expands list of "instructional materials" that may be exempt from sales tax when purchased by schools, to include sheet music, electronic software, maps, globes, art supplies, workbooks, flash cards, educational blocks, educational models, manipulatives, charts, video tapes, DVDs, films, or cassettes containing instructional information designed to be presented to students as part of a course of study. Specifies that "instructional materials" does not include items purchased for use in interscholastic extracurricular activities, administration or maintenance of the school, or construction materials or supplies.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2099.pdf
Title: H.B. 2099
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
An act to strengthen the connection between the mission and scope of Arkansas institutions of higher education and the economic goals of the state. Requires the department of economic development to provide the department of higher education with a list of the state's overall and regional economic development goals within ten days of the amendment's enactment and by September 1 each year thereafter. Allows the department of higher education to retain the services of consultants or other experts as needed to carry out the review to be conducted at least every five years of appropriate role and scope designations for state higher education trustees. Specifies reporting requirements for such reports.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb287.pdf
Title: S.B. 287
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Appropriates $85,000 to the the Department of Higher Education to use national consultants to review the role and scope of each higher education institution relative to the state's overall and regional economic development goals. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB795.pdf
Title: S.B. 795
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows the house interim committee on education and the senate interim committee on education to contract with experts to conduct interim adequacy reviews. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1258.pdf
Title: H.B. 1258
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies audit requirements for schools, municipalities and counties. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1185.pdf
Title: H.B. 1185
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
To amend sections of the Arkansas code pertaining to distributions of county's school fund. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1373.pdf
Title: H.B. 1373
Source: StateNet |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides a regulatory basis of financial statement presentation for schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2449.pdf
Title: H.B. 2449
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
An act to allow education service cooperatives to purchase or construct buildings as may be required to provide authorized programs and services and to provide for distribution of assets upon dissolution. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1357.pdf
Title: H.B. 1357
Source: StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Revises the duties and responsibilities of the division of public school academic facilities and transportation and creates the commission on public school academic facilities and transportation.
Provides that the enumerated duties of the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation are to: ... "(5) Develop and implement an ongoing uniform process for collecting, inventorying, and updating information on the state of condition of all public school academic facilities in the state; (6) Develop a facility cost index that provides a methodology for comparing the cost of repairing the condition of a public school academic facility to the cost of replacing the public school academic facility with a facility containing the same amount of square footage; (7) Conduct unannounced random on-site inspections of public school academic facilities; (8) Develop minimum standards for accessibility to public school academic facilities and programs for individuals with disabilities; (9) Develop guidelines for competitive bidding, competitive negotiation, and other methods of procurement for public school academic facilities projects; (10) Develop incentive programs to reward school districts for innovative, effective, and efficient use of local and state resources with regard to public school academic facilities;" and "(13) Report by October 1 of each year to the Governor, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Academic Facilities Oversight Committee on the state of condition of education facilities statewide" addressing specified features of school facilities; "(14) Report by October 1 of each even-numbered year to the Governor, the House Committee on Education, the Senate Committee on Education, and the Academic Facilities Oversight Committee on the state academic facilities master plan; and (15) Maintain a public access website dedicated to public school academic facilities."
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB590.pdf
Title: S.B. 590
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines "public-public partnership" as a contractual agreement between a school district and another governmental agency, political subdivision, or institution of higher education to meet a clearly defined need for facilities, infrastructure, or goods and services. Authorizes any school district to use public-public partnerships as a project delivery method for the building, altering, repairing, improving, maintaining, or demolishing of any structure, or any improvement to real property owned by the school district.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB858.pdf
Title: S.B. 858
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends sections of the Arkansas code pertaining to school elections. Specifies that the annual school election may concern only issues
authorized to be on the ballot by the Arkansas Constitution or by statute and no other issues shall appear on the ballot. Permits a school election to be held on a date other than that fixed by law only if it pertains to the tax rate or debt issues and other requirements are met. Repeals Arkansas Code § 6-14-105 on special elections. Clarifies other administrative matters pertaining to school district elections.
ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/HB2468.pdf
Title: H.B. 2468
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Establishes a program to inform students in local school districts about the Arkids First Program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1895.pdf
ARKids First home page: http://www.arkidsfirst.com/home.htm
Title: H.B. 1895
Source: StateNet |
Leadership |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Permits any county that contains all or part of six or more districts to create an executive council and a school district coordinator. Establishes membership of executive council and duties and powers of school district coordinator. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB490.pdf
Title: S.B. 490
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Effective fall 2005, provides an Arkansas governor's scholarship to a student in each of the 75 counties in Arkansas. ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/HB2653.pdf
Title: H.B. 2653
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Provides that colleges or universities may increase the employer contribution rate for higher education alternate retirement plans to equal the employer contribution rate under the teacher retirement system. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB138.pdf
Title: S.B. 138
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
An act to increase the uniform filing fee for initiating a cause of action in circuit court and to use the increase to restore legal education funding to the University of Arkansas in support of the law school. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1359.pdf
Title: H.B. 1359
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Continues the supplemental 4% mixed drink tax for the benefit of the University of Arkansas Medical Center Fund. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2633.pdf
Title: H.B. 2633
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Community College,
Postsec. |
Provides that a community college district is not a taxing unit for the purpose of financing community redevelopment projects. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/SB560.pdf
Title: S.B. 560
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Strengthens and expands transfer agreements among colleges and universities.
Title: S.B. 247
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Participation--Admissions Requirements |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Provides for additional consideration in college admissions for individuals from medically underserved areas who are interested in pursuing a nursing or other health care career.
Title: H.B. 1735
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Success--Completion |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Requires any university staff member assigned to provide course selection advice to incoming freshman students to provide any student who has declared a major with a written, eight semester course of study providing a recommended sequence for all course requirements for completion of most bachelor's degrees within eight semesters. Provides that a student may elect to sign this course of study or to sign a written waiver that clearly outlines the student's rights to obtain a bachelor's degree in eight semesters and verifies that the student chooses to not enter into the commitment. Provides that a student will be guaranteed a bachelor's degree at the end of the eight semesters if the student signs the recommended course sequence schedule and meets other requirements. Requires universities to offer courses in a time, sequence, and manner that will enable students to complete requirements for a degree within the time frame set out in the recommended course sequence schedule.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2459.pdf
Title: H.B. 2459
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Rural |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides special needs funding for certain isolated schools; provides special needs funding for certain school districts with a low student density. ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/bills/2005/public/SB391.pdf
Title: S.B. 391
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends antibullying policies. Expands prohibition of bullying to include any activity in school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, and at school sanctioned events. Requires local board policies against bullying to require that the person or persons who file a complaint will not be subject to retaliation or reprisal in any form.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1708.pdf
Title: H.B. 1708
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Provides for monitoring of the academic progress of specified subgroups of students from schools that were consolidated or annexed under act 60 of the second extraordinary session of the eighty-fourth general assembly. Also requires the receiving or resulting school district to obtain and retain all student records from the affected school district for the five years immediately preceding the annexation or consolidation. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1888.pdf
Title: H.B. 1888
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Amends the personnel policy law for classified school employees to make it more consistent with the personnel policy law for certified school employees. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2000.pdf
Title: H.B. 2000
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies a school employee's right to have a witness or representative present in a disciplinary or grievance matter. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2482.pdf
Title: H.B. 2482
Source: StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Requires a comprehensive financial review of school districts prior to consolidation, annexation, or otherwise reorganization. Requires any district involved in consolidation or annexation to have an audit begun within 30 days of the closing of the district's books. Provides that the department of education must have authority to oversee all fiscal and accounting related matters of all districts on the consolidation list and must require those districts to have accurate records necessary to close all books within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB2560.pdf
Title: H.B. 2560
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
School/District Structure/Operations--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the Development Authority Finance Authority to issue higher education general authority bonds for technology and facility improvements; provides for a statewide election on the issuance of bonds.
Title: S.B. 1137
Source: StateNet |
Special Populations--Corrections Education |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Changes Department of Correction School District to Corrections School System. Expands students eligible for system inclusion to those on probation and parole or any type of post prison release or transfer who are not high school graduates, irrespective of age. Creates Corrections School System's chief administrative officer position and clarifies officer's role and authority. Amends language to clarify funding and responsibility of Corrections School System. Extends eligibility to attend Riverside Vocational and Technical School beyond department of corrections inmates to those incarcerated by the Department of Community Correction or to qualified persons supervised by the Department of Community Correction including those on probation and parole or any type of post-prison release or transfer. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb191.pdf
Title: S.B. 191
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the amount of the stipend teachers are required to receive for the purchase of classroom supplies. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1720.pdf
Title: H.B. 1720
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Allows a teacher to earn professional development credit for time required at the beginning of the school year to plan and prepare a curriculum and other instructional material for his or her assigned classes. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1461.pdf
Title: H.B. 1461
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 03/2005 |
P-12 |
Increases from 12 to 15 the number of hours of credit earned by completing a three-hour graduate-level credit course for purposes of continuing teacher education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/HB1395.pdf
Title: H.B. 1395
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Appropriates FY 2004-2005 emergency supplemental funds to department to disburse for grants and aid to state secondary vocational area centers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1073.pdf
Title: H.B. 1073
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Curriculum--Arts Education |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Strikes language requiring districts to increase instruction in grades one through six to one hour each in music and art by June 1, 2005. Continues the requirement for forty minutes of visual art and music every week for students in grades one through six. Adds provision that allows instruction to be provided in an equivalent amount of time in each school year rather than on a weekly basis. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1034.pdf
Title: H.B. 1034
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
Postsec. |
Defines a "center of excellence" as a consortium of two or more institutions of higher education working in collaboration with regional economic developers to address the workforce education and training needs of a region for existing, expanding, or attracting new business and industry in each of the economic development regions of the state. Authorizes the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create centers of excellence at colleges and universities in Arkansas to improve the state's ability to compete in the knowledge-based economy. Establishes system for submission, review and approval of proposals. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb285.pdf
Title: S.B. 285
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Extends from September 1 to September 15 the deadline for school districts to file a budget and expenditures report with the department of education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1154.pdf
Title: H.B. 1154
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
An act to protect the continuity of school boards by amending the procedure for election of school boards following annexation; allows certain districts to return to at-large elections. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1266.pdf
Title: H.B. 1266
Source: StateNet |
High School |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
An act to ensure the continuation of district honor roll and academic achievement recognition programs. Specifies that no district may be prohibited from identifying students for honor roll, for valedictorian and salutatorian, or for other academic honors. Allows any parent or student who does not want to have the student identified as an honor student or listed on the honor roll to submit a written request to the principal of the school requesting that the student not be identified. Requires school and district to honor such written request.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/sb250.pdf
Title: S.B. 250
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
Postsec. |
Amends the tuition waiver and assistance program for Arkansas national guard soldiers and airman. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1141.pdf
Title: H.B. 1141
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
Postsec. |
Assists students at state-supported postsecondary educational institutions who are called into military service. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1201.pdf
Title: H.B. 1201
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Defines and prohibits the unauthorized entry of school buses by persons over age 18. Provides exceptions for law enforcement officers, students, school employees and volunteers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1196.pdf
Title: H.B. 1196
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 02/2005 |
P-12 |
Creates the Student Identity Protection Act. Bars schools and school districts from the use of a student's social security number or a portion of the number on any report, identification card, identification badge, or any document that will be made available or released to the public, a student, or a student's parent or guardian without express parental consent, or the student's consent if the student is at least 18 years old. Also makes it illegal to make a student's social security number available by reading the magnetic strip or other encoded information on the student's identification card. Does not refer to educational records that are transferred to or between the Department of Education, other public schools or school districts, or other governmental agencies as allowed or required by federal law, state law, or state board of education rule.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2005/public/hb1106.pdf
Title: H.B. 1106
Source: www.arkleg.state.ar.us |
Career/Technical Education |
Rule Adoption 12/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends rules related to special policies and procedures related to secondary area technical centers. http://dwe.arkansas.gov/SecondaryAreaCenters/centerpoliciesprcoeduresdecember2004.doc
Title: Uncodified
Source: StateNet |
Textbooks and Open Source |
Rule Adoption 09/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding Regulation 2004-5 titled 'Exemptions from Tax: Textbooks and Other Instructional Materials.' Establishes which textbooks and other instructional materials are exempt from tax.
Title: Uncodified
Source: StateNet |
Postsecondary Finance |
Report Issued 08/2004 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
The governor formed the committee to make recommendations to the governor and the Legislature for improving postsecondary education in Arkansas. http://www.arkansas.gov/governor/media/releases/press/11062003-1.html
The Blue Ribbon Committee for Higher Education released its report in June 2004. The recommendations covered three main areas with subpoints: (1) Governance - Arkansas needs an empowered authority over higher education; (2) Mission and Scope - Arkansas needs centralized coordination of their institutions; and (3) Finance - Arkansas needs coordinated funding to act as a proper incentive. http://www.arkansashighered.com/pdfs/BRC/Final%20BRCRpt.pdf
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Adult Basic Education |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding secondary area centers as a part of the policies and procedures for secondary programs and adult skill training classes and secondary vocational centers.
Title: Uncodified
Source: StateNet |
Attendance |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding mandatory attendance requirements for grades 9 - 12. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20169%20mandatory%20attendance%20req.pdf
Title: ADE 169
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Background Checks |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding criminal background checks for employment of personnel in school districts, criminal background check for fraudulent acts by fiscal officers of public school districts, and the Board's authority to allow employment eligibility in certain cases. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20172%20criminal%20background%20checks.pdf
Title: ADE 172
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the guidelines, procedures and enforcement of the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act of 2004. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20173%20opportunity%20school%20choice.pdf
Title: ADE 173
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Repeals rules regarding Act 2 of 1994 as amended by Act 1228 of 1995, relating to the determination of the amount of Minimum Foundation Program Aid for each district. ARKANSAS REG 3948 (SN) http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/Repeal%20Act%202%20of%201994.pdf
Title: ADE 171
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules to ensure the availability of efficient scheduling of courses offered by public schools through distance learning technologies. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20167%20availability%20distance%20learning.pdf
Title: ADE 167
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
P-3 |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes general guidelines for the operation of early childhood programs funded under the Arkansas Better Chance Program
and the Arkansas Better Chance for School Success Program. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20174%20abc.pdf
Title: ADE 174
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Promotion/Retention |
Signed into law 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark Code 6-15-1805. Eliminates social promotion; requires no student be assigned to a grade level based on age. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 5
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding school district audits not conducted by legislative audit. Establishes requirements for completion and filing of audits not conducted by Legislative Audit effective beginning on June 30, 2005, for the 2005-2006 fiscal year and each fiscal year thereafter. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20168%20school%20districts%20audits.pdf
Title: ADE 168
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding the specifications governing school bus design. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20175%20school%20bus%20specs.pdf
Title: ADE 175
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 06/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding teacher licensure by reciprocity. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20170%20teacher%20licensure%20reciprocity.pdf
Title: ADE 170
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 05/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding the amendment of the state teacher assistance resource program. ARKANSAS REG 3933 (SN)
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/register/may_2004/008.10.04-001.pdf
Title: 008.10.04-001
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Emergency Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes emergency rules regarding the administrative consolidation or annexation of public school districts. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/condensed%20version.pdf
Title: ADE 165
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Emergency Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes emergency rules regarding the administrative consolidation or annexation of public school districts. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/condensed%20version.pdf
Title: 005.01.04-001
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 04/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding ADE 166, eligibility and financial incentives for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. ARKANSAS REG 3854 (SN) (ADE 166 - http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/national_board_standards.pdf)
Title: ADE 166
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Accountability |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the Division of Public School Accountability and the Arkansas Public Schools Accountability Advisory Council; creates the Division of Public School Academic Facilities to ensure equal access to adequate educational facilities and educational equipment; requires realignment of the state department of education (not to be incorporated into Arkansas Code or published separately) and creates a task force to make recommendations on realignment; amends terms for state board of education. members.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1009.pdf
Title: H.B. 1009
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Allows the Department of Education to extend the deadline for test results if the deadline substantially increases the cost of administration of the tests or compromises the validity of the test results. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1132.pdf
Title: H.B. 1132
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the office of education renewal zones; provides for renewal zones to improve student achievement in smaller schools and districts; provides for collaboration with higher education partners, including community and technical colleges; enables small, rural and low-wealth schools to use the latest distance learning technology to enhance curricula and professional development; requires school improvement plans with certain components. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1056.pdf
Title: H.B. 1056
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention) |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Determines student drop out rates. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1153.pdf
Title: H.B. 1153
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Background Checks |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Concerns a criminal records check as a condition for initial employment of noncertified personnel in school districts; allows the state board of education to grant a waiver to allow employment eligibility. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1122.pdf
Title: H.B. 1122
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Allows students in administratively consolidated school districts to attend classes and programs in other schools in the district. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1177.pdf
Title: H.B. 1177
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires that advanced placement courses be available in the four core areas (English, math, science, social studies) in high school; exempts high schools offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1154.pdf
Title: H.B. 1154
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides teachers with quality professional development that will promote and enhance learning opportunities for students. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1170.pdf
Title: H.B. 1170
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the educational adequacy fund. Relates to HB 1030. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB93.pdf and http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1030.pdf
Title: S.B. 93
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Became law without GOVERNOR'S signature. 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides additional revenue to fund the education system; increases sales and wholesale vending tax; imposes sales tax on certain services; creates the Educational Adequacy Trust Fund. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1030.pdf
Title: H.B. 1030
Source: Arkansas Legislative web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Allows all consolidated, annexed, or otherwise reorganized school districts to enjoy the benefit of fund balances accrued by the affected school district prior to consolidation, annexation, or reorganization. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1157.pdf
Title: H.B. 1157
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires criminal background checks for fraudulent acts by fiscal officers of public school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1140.pdf
Title: H.B. 1140
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides administrative consolidation assistance to school districts that administratively consolidate. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1161.pdf
Title: H.B. 1161
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates a State Tax Penalty and Interest Amnesty Program for taxpayers who make a voluntary payment of State taxes during the period of July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004; provides all moneys collected under the program would be deposited in a special Public School Facilities Fund to be used for improvements, construction or repair of school facilities. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1100.pdf
Title: H.B. 1100
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Establishes criteria for custodial and maintenance care for school facilities. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB53.pdf
Title: S.B. 53
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Increases the uniform rate of ad valorem property tax by three mills subject to the approval of the voters in this state to be used solely for maintenance and operation of public schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1162.pdf
Title: H.B. 1162
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the procedures to implement Amendment 74 (SB 36) to the State Constitution relating to whether or not a school district is currently in compliance with the uniform tax rate. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB36.pdf and http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB73.pdf
Title: S.B. 73
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Health |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Relates to school nurses; provides for an appropriate school nurse- to-student ratio to effectively meet the health care needs of school children; provides for funding to school districts based on a certain formula. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1141.pdf
Title: H.B. 1141
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides for family resource centers to remove nonacademic barriers to academic success; authorizes use of national school lunch funds for this program; provides that the State Child Abuse and Prevention Board shall determine which schools are priority elementary schools and to award grants to qualified school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1091.pdf
Title: H.B. 1091
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the minimum teacher salaries. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1047.pdf
Title: H.B. 1047
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the duties and focus of the office for teacher recruitment within the Department of Education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1080.pdf
Title: H.B. 1080
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 02/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides extraordinary incentives for teacher recruitment and retention in high priority districts with an average daily membership of 1,000 or fewer. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB89.pdf
Title: S.B. 89
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends Ark. Code § 6-15-404, adds 6-15-434, 6-15-1806, 6-15-1901, 6-15-1902, 6-15-1903 .Creates the Student Assessment and Educational Accountability act of 2003; requires the establishment of a reporting system of schools' academic performance on the state-mandated criterion-referenced exam; student performance data shall be reported to parents and the public and serve as one of the components in developing a school improvement plan; beginning with the 2004-05 school year, information on the prior school year shall be published annually by October 15 and include demographic breakdowns, graduation rate, drop-out rate, transfers under the unsafe school choice option and transfers under the Public School Choice Act; annual reports must use a school rating system and performance goals.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 1, 4, 5, 6
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Relates to the Public School Funding Act of 2003; provides equitable funding to public schools; provides a system for monitoring public school expenditures; increases minimum teacher salaries; establishes a knowledge and skills-based pay system for teachers; provides for school-based performance awards. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB42.pdf
Title: S.B. 42
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Rewards |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-1902(e), 6-15-1907. School receiving annual improving category Level 5 or Level 4 are eligible for school recognition awards and performance-based funding; outlines rewards. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 6
Source: Arkansas Legislative web site |
Accountability--School Improvement |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code § 6-15-1808, 6-15-2001. Requires the state department of education to development and provide technical assistance to school districts that are designated as Level 1 or Level 2. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 5, 8
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Assessment |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends Ark. Code § 6-15-404; adds 6-15-433 and 6-15-1803. Creates the Student Assessment and Educational Accountability act of 2003; establishes a comprehensive system of testing students, known as the Arkansas Comprehensive Assessment Program exams, including criterion-referenced tests by July 1, 2006; participation in the program is mandatory unless exempted by the state board of education; state board exemption shall not be granted if it would result in less than 95% student participation in a school; requires Arkansas to participate in NAEP testing; implements student achievement testing as part of the statewide assessment program; the state department of education shall establish additional course requirements for failing to demonstrate proficiency on end of course exams for submission to legislative committees and implemented for 2009-10 school year. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 1, 4, 5
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Transfers funds for the state technical careers student loan forgiveness program. Enacted to partial meet the State Supreme Court requirements of providing children with an adequate and equitable education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB44.pdf
Title: S.B. 44
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-1903, 6-18-227. Students attending schools receiving an annual performance category Level 1 for two consecutive years must be offered a transfer under the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act of 2004. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 6, 7
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires public school districts to offer a personal finance course to students in grades nine through twelve. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB41.pdf
Title: S.B. 41
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum--Mathematics |
Vetoed 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the advisory commission on math excellence to improve math education in Arkansas. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1010.pdf
Title: H.B. 1010
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Became law without governor's signature 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Relates to the public education re-organization act; to ensure equal opportunities for an adequate education to all students; provides for administrative annexation and administrative consolidation of school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1109.pdf
Title: H.B. 1109
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
The General Assembly recognizes the state is responsible to provide an adequate education and to know how state revenues are spent; provides for the continuing adequacy evaluation act of 2004; provides for a study. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1111.pdf
Title: H.B. 1111
Source: Arkansas Legislative web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Track the amount of state funds that may be used to support interschool athletic programs in public schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1008.pdf
Title: H.B. 1008
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts in fiscal distress to complete and file an annual audit with the Department of Education within 6 months following the end of the fiscal year. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1087.pdf
Title: H.B. 1087
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Creates the Educational Accounting and Reporting Act of 2004; provides that the board of directors of each school district shall annually prepare a budget of expenditure and receipts to be filed by a specified date; amends provisions regarding distribution of all grants and aids from the state; provides conditions under which state aid may be withhold from any school district; provides for training of preparers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1094.pdf
Title: H.B. 1094
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires audit reports of school districts not conducted by legislative audit to be filed with the Department of Education by December 31 following the end of each fiscal year.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1114.pdf
Title: H.B. 1114
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-2001. The state department of education and the Division of Legislative Audit of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee of the General Assembly are directed to develop a system for reviewing the financial management practices of school districts and identifies "best financial management code practices." School districts are evaluated and rated on compliance with best practices. Districts that don't conform to best practices are required to develop a plan for meeting best practices within two years. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 9
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Equity |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends Ark. Code § 6-15-404 and 15-15-402. Arkansas does not guarantee student success or that individual schools will perform at level indicated in goals. Arkansas is committed to giving all students an opportunity to perform at grade appropriate levels. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 1,3
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires an audit of staffing needs of the Department of Education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1108.pdf
Title: H.B. 1108
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Proposes a constitutional amendment; relates to the approval of school tax rates; amends provisions regarding sale of bonds; known as the Amendment 74 Enabling Act of 2003. Amended by SB 73. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB36.pdf and http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB73.pdf
Title: S.B. 36
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the exemption of sales tax to the sale of textbooks and instructional materials to state school districts and state public schools that receive state funding or state purchases for free distribution. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1028.pdf
Title: H.B. 1028
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the computation of the value of assessed property within a school district and a redevelopment district; amends state funding to the school district with regard to such assessments. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB21.pdf
Title: S.B. 21
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Encourages larger school districts to voluntarily merge with smaller school districts; concerns the establishment of an interim board; provides for annexation and school elections. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB35.pdf
Title: S.B. 35
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Health |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires schools to include as part of a student health report to parents an annual body mass index percentile by age for each student. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1011.pdf
Title: H.B. 1011
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Health |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires one full time or the proportionate share of one full time school nurse in each school district. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1070.pdf
Title: H.B. 1070
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Health |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the appointment structure of the legislative health advisory committee; coordinates efforts to combat inadequate healthy care on the educational performance of children. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1121.pdf
Title: H.B. 1121
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
High School |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-2201. Requires postsecondary education to report on the readiness of high school students for higher education; the state board of education shall require schools and districts to develop strategies to improve student readiness for postsecondary education and reduce remediation for high school graduates. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 10
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Leadership |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Improves school performance by creating the master school principal program; provides for annual bonuses for qualified principals serving in schools in academic distress. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB46.pdf
Title: S.B. 46
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
No Child Left Behind--Choice/Transfer |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Add Ark. Code 6-18-227. Requires parental/student notification as soon as practicable that school has been designated Level 1 performance for two or more consecutive years and available options including transfer. The state is responsible for necessary transportation. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 7
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
No Child Left Behind--Finance |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Requires the state department of education to conduct a comprehensive financial impact study on the cost of impacting this act for presentation to the House and Senate Education Committees by February 1, 2005. Any required supplemental reports shall be completed by February 1, 2007. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 12
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-1903. Students attending schools receiving an annual performance category Level 1 for two consecutive years must be offered supplemental educational services. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 6
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Became law without governor's signature 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Assists public schools through the establishment of grants for distance learning; provides for the establishment of standards for eligible equipment and telecommunications services; provides that a teacher that is under contract in a school district in the respective field of study that is being offered by distance learning shall not be terminated because of the availability of distance learning. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1036.pdf
Title: H.B. 1036
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Ensures the availability of distance learning to all students in the state. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1064.pdf
Title: H.B. 1064
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
P-16 or P-20 |
Vetoed-House Override 01/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec.,
Community College |
Creates the State Commission for Coordination of Educational Efforts for the purpose of improving coordination between and among all levels of education between pre-kindergarten and graduate level. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1034.pdf
Title: H.B. 1034
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
P-3 |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends the state "Better Chance for School Success" program to remove matching requirements, set implementation goals and makes the program applicable to schools instead of districts; amends provisions regarding early childhood programs. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1057.pdf
Title: H.B. 1057
Source: Arkansas Legislative web site |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Amends Ark. Code § 6-15-404. Requires the state board of education and the state department of education to develop and implement a school readiness screening to validate a child's school readiness when a student enters kindergarten or an developmentally appropriate screening for a child starting school in grade 1. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 1
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Reading/Literacy |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-1804. Students exhibiting a reading deficiency will receive intensive reading instruction and beginning with the 2005-06 school year, child's parents will be notified of student's deficiency and available services. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 5
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Scheduling/School Calendar--Extended Day Programs |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Establishes a coalition effort between the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and certain school districts to reduce academic disparities in the state delta; provides for standards-based curricula in mathematics, reading and English, faculty development, student assessment date and development of an after-school academic program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1048.pdf
Title: H.B. 1048
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Provides for the continued funding support of isolated school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1018.pdf
Title: H.B. 1018
Source: Arkansas Legislative web site |
State Longitudinal Data Systems |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark. Code 6-15-2001. The state department of education shall implement a system for collecting and analyzing school and student performance data. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 § 8
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Student Achievement |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Makes the committee on closing the achievement gap in this state a commission. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1054.pdf
Title: H.B. 1054
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Student Supports--Remediation |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Adds Ark Code 6-15-433, adds 6-15-1801. Beginning in the 2004-05 school year, students in grades K-12 who have not demonstrated proficiency on the Arkansas Comprehensive Proficiency Program exams will be required to participate in remediation programs. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB33.pdf
Title: S.B. 33 §§ 4, 5
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the meaning of instructional duties in relation to assignment of noninstructional duties to teachers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1053.pdf
Title: H.B. 1053
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Expands the state teacher assistance resource program; provides for forgivable loans. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1079.pdf
Title: H.B. 1079
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention--At-Risk Schools |
Signed into law 01/2004 |
P-12 |
Relates to the state teacher housing development act; provides for teachers who have demonstrated ability to successfully teach children in a high- priority school district who meet certain criteria; provides housing incentives to encourage high- performance teachers to move to high-priority school districts; provides for a home loan program, adjusted mortgage interest rates and a pilot rental housing program for qualified teachers.Enacted to meet the mandate of the Arkansas Supreme Court in Lake View School District No. 25 v. Huckabee. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1060.pdf
Title: H.B. 1060
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides for the State School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts; provides the University of Arkansas may petition the State Board of Education for the school to receive charter school status. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1038.pdf
Title: H.B. 1038
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Repeals the fiscal year allocation provision for expenses of the joint committee on K-12 educational facilities. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB10.pdf
Title: S.B. 10
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education provide assistance to the Office of Economic and Tax Policy when requested to provide the office with any information regarding changes in the calculation of state aid to public school districts within 7 days of the change. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1019.pdf
Title: H.B. 1019
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Faculty |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
Postsec. |
Establishes a growth pool of positions for the two year institutions of higher education of non- classified and classified positions to be used in situations where the need for positions exceeds the specific number of positions assigned to an institution. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB3.pdf
Title: S.B. 3
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
State Policymaking |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires financial impact statements for bills relating to education that have a fiscal impact on school district expenditures. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/SB8.pdf
Title: S.B. 8
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to provide a report card for each student reflecting the student's grade in each class in which the student is enrolled to the student's parents. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1017.pdf
Title: H.B. 1017
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 12/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows active members of the Teacher Retirement System who have previously elected to eliminate contributions to make an irrevocable election to make future contributions; mandates that any active member whose status changes from nonteacher status to teacher status under contract for 181 days or more shall become contributory. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003s2/public/HB1069.pdf
Title: H.B. 1069
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program and the Academic Distress Program (ACTAAP). http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20162%20actaap.pdf
Title: ADE 162
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing standards of accreditation of Arkansas public schools. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20156%20standards.pdf
Title: ADE 156
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Finance |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules identifying and governing the Arkansas Fiscal Assessment and Accountability Program. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20158%20fiscal%20assessment.pdf
Title: ADE 158
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing distance learning. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20159%20distance%20learning.pdf
Title: ADE 159
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules for identifying private school children with disabilities that are consistent with federal regulations. http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/elections_pdfs/register/nov-03/005.19.03-006.pdf
Title: ADE 154
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Special Education |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding IDEA mediation and hearings; extends time period for filing grievance; complies with findings and decision of Birmingham v. Omaha School District, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/elections_pdfs/register/nov-03/005.19.03-007.pdf
Title: ADE 155
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 11/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing initial, standard and provisional teacher licensure. ARKANSAS REG 3745 (SN)
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20160%20initial%20licensure.pdf
Title: ADE 160
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Rule Adoption 10/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules governing the guidelines, procedures and enforcement of the Arkansas Public School Choice Act. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20157%20school%20choice%20rule.pdf
Title: ADE 157
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 10/2003 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding amendments to the rules of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program. http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/register/oct_reg/008.10.01--005.pdf
Title: Rules and Regs 008.10.3--002
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Rule Adoption 10/2003 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant rules. http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/register/oct-03-reg/008.10.03-001.pdf
Title: Rules And Regs 008.10.3--001
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Rule Adoption 09/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends rules governing teacher licensure by reciprocity: • The language addressing policy and procedures for provisional licensure policy and procedures are placed in a separate section. • New rules developed to implement Act 754 of 2003 allows the waiving of required testing for out-of-state applicants holding a standard teaching license and documentation at least three years of teaching experience. • New rules developed addressing out-of-state applicants that have completed an out-of-state teacher education program, not licensed out-of-state and applying for licensure in Arkansas. • New rules developed stipulating only those standard licensure areas and/or endorsements listed on an out-of-state license will be considered for Arkansas licensure. http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/ar_rules/rule_proposed_ls/005.19.03-005PS.pdf and http://www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections/elections_pdfs/register/sept-03-reg/0903.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding standards for accreditation of Arkansas public schools; describes the process for how public schools or districts will be cited or placed in probationary status for failure to meet standards of accreditation; establishes enforcement actions that may be applied to public schools or school districts that fail to meet standards of accreditation.
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/standards%20regs.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the development of a single Arkansas comprehensive testing, assessment and accountability program (ACTAAP); ensures all public school students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency; improves student learning and classroom instruction, and supports high academic standards for all students; requires intervention for students not performing at grade-level; establishes a program for schools districts in academic distress. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/ade%20188%20actaap.pdf
Title: ADE 188
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding guidelines, procedures, and enforcement of the Arkansas Public School Choice Act.
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/school%20choice%20regs.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Economic/Workforce Development |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding Arkansas technical careers student loan forgiveness program. ARKANSAS REG 3469 (SN)
http://www.work-ed.state.ar.us/LoanForgiveness/Book/RULES®S2003-revised6-2003.doc
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Finance--District |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules and regulations for how the department of education and the state board will evaluate, assess, identify, classify and
address school districts in fiscal distress. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/fiscal%20distress%20final%20draft.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Rule Adoption 06/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes rules regarding distance learning. Sets guidelines for the Arkansas Distance Learning Development Project. Addresses the operation of distance learning in the public schools.
http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/Proposed%20Distance%20Learning%20Regulations%20June%2003%20State%20Board.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Health |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a Health Advisory Committee; coordinates efforts to combat inadequate health care on the educational performance of children. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2893.pdf
Title: H.B. 2893
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Became law without governor's signature 05/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the professional education, development, licensure, and assessment board. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2534.pdf
Title: H.B. 2534
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 05/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Repeals the emergency secondary education loan program; creates the State Teacher Assistance Resource Program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2352.pdf
Title: H.B. 2352
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires certain data be made available on the Department of Education website; includes financial data reports for school districts, administrator and teacher salary and benefit data, and local and state revenue sources. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2887.pdf
Title: H.B. 2887
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends §§ 6-15-402 - 6-15-406. Creates the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program Act; including requiring the State Board of Education to establish standards defining what students should know in content areas and a system for reporting schools' performance on state mandated exams to comply with No Child Left Behind; requires the State Board to develop a mandatory school readiness screening system for kindergarten students; requires a school improvement system. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends §§ 6-15-202 - 6-15-209. Revises state accreditation regulations and consequences for schools and districts failing to meet Arkansas Standards of Accreditation. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Emergency Rule Adoption 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Allow the Arkansas State Board of Education to waive the minimum of 178 days required in the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools for the purposes of professional development or natural necessity due to inclement weather, fire, natural disaster or
other catastrophic event which makes conducting required student-teacher interaction time impossible or would create imminent
danger to the health or safety of students or school personnel. Regulation is effective April 14, 2003 and expires August 10, 2003. http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/waivers%20school%20days.pdf
Title: ADE 153
Source: Arkansas State Web site |
Accountability--Reporting Results |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends §§ 6-15-420 - 6-15-429. Requires the state board to establish a clear concise system of reporting the academic performance of each school on the state mandated criterion reference exam which conforms with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Requires the state board to develop policy requiring the Department of Education to implement a program for identifying, evaluation, assisting and addressing school district failing to meet established levels of achievement mandated states as required in the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program (§§ 6-15-402 - 6-15-406). http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds §§ 6-20-1901- 6-15-1911. Creates the Arkansas Fiscal Assessment and Accountability Program; to establish and implement a program at the Department of Education to identify, assess and address school districts in fiscal distress. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Accountability--Sanctions/Interventions |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends §§ 6-13-1403 - 6-13-1405; 6-13-1410. Outlines the conditions and the policies under which the State Board of Education may annex school districts who fail to meet the requirements of The Quality Education Act of 2003. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Provides for a continuum of adequate educational opportunities for adults who do not have a high school diploma; creates the Workforce Investment Board and Adult Education Study Committee. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2714.pdf
Title: H.B. 2714
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Creates the Arkansas Workforce Improvement Grant Program; provides funding for collegiate level adult education.
Title: S.B. 882
Source: StateNet |
Adult Basic Education |
Rule Adoption 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Establishes rules regarding adult education program policies. http://www.work-ed.state.ar.us/AdultEdProgramPolicies2003.pdf
Title: Uncodified
Source: Arkansas Department of Workforce Education Web site |
At-Risk (incl. Dropout Prevention)--Drugs/Alcohol |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Subjects an offender to an enhanced sentence of an additional ten years in prison for manufacturing a controlled substance nears various facilities including a school or college. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2155.pdf
Title: H.B. 2155
Source: StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires all school districts to participate in public school choice. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB242.pdf
Title: S.B. 242
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by all public school students. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2388.pdf
Title: H.B. 2388
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Creates a program for college students to participate in the election process as poll workers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1487.pdf
Title: H.B. 1487
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires that all courses offered by school districts be aligned with the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2375.pdf
Title: H.B. 2375
Source: State legislative web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Implements oral health instruction into public school curricula. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB811.pdf
Title: S.B. 811
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Develops a comprehensive plan to revise content standards and curriculum frameworks adopted by the state in core academic areas of reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, geography and civics. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2374.pdf
Title: H.B. 2374
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to provide parents of students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) with a list of classes that are required to be taught by the school district. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2339.pdf
Title: H.B. 2339
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Changes the requirement for physical education under Arkansas Code from students through grade 9 to students through grade 8; requires the district to provide assurance of compliance.
Title: S.B. 936
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires public schools educational cooperatives to use certain financial management software systems applications of the Arkansas Public School Computer Network. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB845.pdf
Title: S.B. 845
Source: State legislative web site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the joint committee on educational facilities to evaluate school facilities across the state to ensure that adequate and substantially equal facilities are provided for children. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB307.pdf
Title: S.B. 307
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows school districts to enter into public-private partnerships whereby the school district enters into lease-purchase agreements for school buildings built by the private entities with facilities bonds that are exempt from federal taxes; provides for short- term lease-purchase agreements. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2272.pdf
Title: H.B. 2272
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows the states to further reduce education spending. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2511.pdf
Title: H.B. 2511
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Vetoed 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Relates to the State Agency Paper Reduction Law; exempts information, brochures, and catalogs distributed by an institution of higher education to any prospective student from the Paper Reduction Law; requires the publication to contain information notifying the recipient of the right to be removed from the distribution list.
Title: S.B. 420
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Governance |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides for an interim personnel policies committee in the event of consolidation of school districts.
Title: H.B. 2842
Source: StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Repeals Arkansas code section 6-13-614 to remove confusion regarding the number of members that are required for local school boards. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2709.pdf
Title: H.B. 2709
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides for absentee voting for annual school elections. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB701.pdf
Title: S.B. 701
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Prohibits local school boards of education from entering into personal, professional, or other service contracts on behalf of the school district for a time period greater than one year without prior written approval of the State Board of Education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1539.pdf
Title: H.B. 1539
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to define and publish academic standards and expected outcomes for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12; requires academic standards and expected outcomes be adopted and implemented by local school boards. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2775.pdf
Title: H.B. 2775
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Revises the Religious Exemption to the school immunization requirements; tracks children with exemptions.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB434.pdf
Title: S.B. 434
Source: State legislative web site |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a Child Health Advisory Committee; coordinates statewide efforts to combat childhood obesity; provides for standards and policy recommendations of foods sold individually in school cafeterias but outside the regulated National School Lunch Program and competitive foods offered at schools typically through vending machines, student stores, school fund-raisers, food carts or food concessions; prohibits elementary school students in-school access to food and drink vending machines beginning with the 2003-04 school year; requires the state department of education to adopt regulations to ensure that nutrition and physical activity standards are implemented to provide students with the skills, opportunities, and encouragement to adopt healthy lifestyles; beginning with the 2004-05 school year, school districts must convene a school nutrition and physical activity advisory committee to create, implement and monitor school nutrition and physical education policies and standards. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1583.pdf
Title: H.B. 1583
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends laws pertaining to achievement testing of home-schooled students. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2879.pdf
Title: H.B. 2879
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
No Child Left Behind |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates The Quality Education Act of 2003; makes provisions regarding the No Child Left Behind Act. Repeals Arkansas Code, Title 6, Chapter 20, Subsection 16, the previous Arkansas system as education assessment and accountability. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Online Learning--Virtual Schools/Courses |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Distance Learning Development Project Act of 2003; repeals the Arkansas Distance Learning Demonstration Project Act of 1995. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB812.pdf
Title: S.B. 812
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
P-3 |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the Better Chance for School Success Program to provide early education for low-income, 3- and 4-year-old children in low-performing school districts. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2376.pdf
Title: H.B. 2376
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
P-3 Finance |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Expands the Arkansas Better Chance Program; allows any licensed early childhood program with early childhood accreditation by the Department of Human Services and meeting the Arkansas Better Chance Core Quality Approval Standards of the Department of Education to apply for funding, regardless of the sponsorship of the program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2402.pdf
Title: H.B. 2402
Source: State legislative web site |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires parental authorization for surveys or questionnaires administered to students requesting any personally identifiable information. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB895.pdf
Title: S.B. 895
Source: State legislative web site |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Appropriates funds for commission on closing the academic achievement gap and parental involvement. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2067.pdf
Title: H.B. 2067
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Provides for the issuance of a University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture special license plate and to use funds for college scholarships and public education programs. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2277.pdf
Title: H.B. 2277
Source: State legislative web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires State funded colleges and universities to waive up to 25% of tuition costs for Arkansas Army and Air National Guard.
Title: H.B. 2480
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program to give priority in awards to applicants agreeing to teach in subject matter areas of critical need or in academically low performing schools. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1854.pdf
Title: H.B. 1854
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires that out-of-state dental student tuition paid by the state of Arkansas be repaid if the student does not return to the state to practice. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2746.pdf
Title: H.B. 2746
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Amends the critical needs minority teacher scholarship program; creates a commission for selecting scholarship recipients. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2187.pdf
Title: H.B. 2187
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
An act to create the two-year college and technical institute study committee. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2844.pdf
Title: H.B. 2844
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides teachers with additional time for instructional purposes. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2655.pdf
Title: H.B. 2655
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Scheduling/School Calendar |
Emergency Rule Adoption 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends required time for instruction and school calendar; establishes emergency rules regarding the amendment to Standards of Accreditation. ARKANSAS REG 3455 (SN)
Title: Uncodified
Source: StateNet |
School Safety--No Child Left Behind--Safe Schools |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds § 6-15-431. Creates the Unsafe School Choice Program required by No Child Left Behind; provides for transfer of students attending a persistently dangerous school and students who are victims of violent crimes. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt regulations necessary to administer the Unsafe School Choice Program. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2697.pdf
Title: H.B. 2697 §17 (Omnibus Bill)
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School Safety--Sexual Harassment and Assault |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Expands the Arkansas school children protection act to include teacher sexual contact with a student; requires termination of employment upon conviction. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB691.pdf
Title: S.B. 691
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires each school district to report compliance with personnel policy committee requirements. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2802.pdf
Title: H.B. 2802
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends the laws pertaining to creators of a school by detachment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2608.pdf
Title: H.B. 2608
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires cooperative schools to use the Arkansas Public School Computer Network. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2459.pdf
Title: H.B. 2459
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires written personnel policies for public school classified employees.
Title: H.B. 2717
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides for cost of living salary increases for classified school employees tied to the consumer price index. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2520.pdf
Title: H.B. 2520
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Special Education |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Extends the period of time for filing grievances under the individuals with disabilities education act from 30 days to 3 years. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2712.pdf
Title: H.B. 2712
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Student Achievement |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the committee on closing the academic achievement gap in Arkansas. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2657.pdf
Title: H.B. 2657
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Concerns the definition of personnel policies that all school district policies must have pertaining to the terms and conditions of teacher's employment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2516.pdf
Title: H.B. 2516
Source: State legislative web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Increases the annual bonus of teachers obtaining national board for professional teaching standards certification. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2903.pdf
Title: H.B. 2903
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Reduces the requirements for a teacher seeking to renew an expired teaching license held prior to 1988. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB871.pdf
Title: S.B. 871
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Revises provisions concerning continuing education requirements for teachers.
Title: S.B. 881
Source: StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows a member of the Arkansas teacher retirement system to purchase service credit for service as a teacher with the federal government. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB8.pdf
Title: S.B. 8
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends the Teacher Salary Schedule; requires districts to credit teachers for all teaching experience.
Title: H.B. 2450
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas teacher center within the Department of Education for purposes of teacher recruitment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/hb2062.pdf
Title: H.B. 2062
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Teacher Rights |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to provide classified school employees with paid breaks and duty-free lunch periods. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2232.pdf
Title: H.B. 2232
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Teaching Quality--Unions/Collective Bargaining |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends Arkansas Code to provide for procedures to the Grievance Law; provides that a group of school employees who have the same grievance may file a group grievance; defines grievance to be a concern relating to personnel policy, salary, federal or state laws and regulations, or terms or conditions of employment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB913.pdf
Title: S.B. 913
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Technology |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the advisory committee on educational access to technology; outlines committee's charge. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2535.pdf
Title: H.B. 2535
Source: State legislative web site |
Technology |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Relates to the department of education - Arkansas state library - Arkansas digital library development appropriation for the 2003-2005 biennium. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/hb2048.pdf
Title: H.B. 2048
Source: StateNet |
Technology--Internet Safety |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the Public School Library Media and Technology Act; defines the position of library media specialist; requires library media centers to have written policies to establish guidelines for the selection, removal, and retention of materials; requires the school district to have a written policy for addressing challenged material. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2791.pdf
Title: H.B. 2791
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Technology--Internet Safety |
Signed into law 04/2003 |
Postsec. |
Requires that institutions of higher education adopt electronic communication privacy policies. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2496.pdf
Title: H.B. 2496
Source: Arkansas Legislative Web site |
Attendance |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires high school students in grades 9 -12 to attend a full school day. Beginning with the 2004-2005 school year, students in
grades nine through twelve (9-12) shall be required to schedule and attend a full school day. (b)(1) No later than January 30, 2004, the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations that require students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) to enroll in no fewer than three hundred fifty (350) minutes of planned instructional time each day as a requirement for graduation. Allows boards to develop policies that require students to be assigned to no more that one (1) class period each day for a study hall period which the student shall be required to attend and participate in a full class period of self-study or organized tutoring in the school building; and (ii)(a) No more than one (1) class period each day for organized and scheduled student extracurricular classes to be included as planned instructional time. (b) If the extracurricular class is related to a seasonal activity, the class must continue to meet after the season ends to be counted toward the requirement of planned instructional time. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1439.pdf
Title: H.B. 1439
Source: State legislative web site |
Attendance |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends the compulsory attendance law to reflect changes in the general education diploma requirements.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1457.pdf
Title: H.B. 1457
Source: State legislative web site |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates Celebrate Freedom Week in public schools on the last full week of classes in September. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2756.pdf
Title: H.B. 2756
Source: State legislative web site |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires public school districts to allow and encourage teachers to read or display documents of American or state history. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB57.pdf
Title: S.B. 57
Source: State legislative web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides for organ donor education in driver education courses and high school health classes; provides for leave for bone marrow or organ donation. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB167.pdf
Title: S.B. 167
Source: State legislative web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Increases the amount that school districts must give to teachers for the purchase of classroom supplies. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1619.pdf
Title: H.B. 1619
Source: State legislative web site |
Finance--District |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the signatures required for disbursements by school districts.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB764.pdf
Title: S.B. 764
Source: State legislative web site |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the State Board of Education to identify reports required from local school districts and to eliminate unnecessary reports and paperwork. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1040.pdf
Title: H.B. 1040
Source: State legislative web site |
Health |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Establishes an Arkansas Commission for adequate eye health and vision care needs for school children. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1553.pdf
Title: H.B. 1553
Source: State legislative web site |
High School |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to veterans of the Korean War or the Vietnam War who meet eligibility requirements. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1886.pdf
Title: H.B. 1886
Source: State legislative web site |
No Child Left Behind--Parent Involvement |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires public schools to create a parental involvement plan. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1387.pdf
Title: H.B. 1387
Source: State legislative web site |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of education to develop a list of skills that child should have in order to be prepared to enter kindergarten. The department must publish this list and distribute it to parents and early childhood educators. The list does not create pre-requisites for kindergarten entry, but is rather intended to serve as a guide for helping parents and early educators prepare children to enter kindergarten ready to learn. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1951.pdf
Title: H.B. 1951
Source: State legislative web site |
Postsecondary Affordability--Tuition/Fees--Prepd/College Savings Plans |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
Postsec. |
Amends the Arkansas tax-deferred tuition savings program act of 1999.
Title: H.B. 1735
Source: StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Provides an act to require school districts to develop a plan to provide for the safety of students and employees in the event of a terrorist attack or war. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB452.pdf
Title: S.B. 452
Source: State legislative web site |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies; requires the policies to be filed with the Department of Education. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2274.pdf
Title: H.B. 2274
Source: State legislative web site |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Amends statutes requiring teacher's daily planning period be provided in increments of no less than forty (40) minutes.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB349.pdf
Title: S.B. 349
Source: State legislative web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Reduces the administrative requirements for a teacher seeking to renew an expired teaching license. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2426.pdf
Title: H.B. 2426
Source: State legislative web site |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Highly Qualified Teachers |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows the state board of education to waive examination requirements for individuals seeking an Arkansas teaching license who have an out of state teaching license and experience. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1512.pdf
Title: H.B. 1512
Source: State legislative web site |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 03/2003 |
P-12 |
Allows a teacher to have a witness or representative of the teacher's choice present during any disciplinary or grievance matter upon request of the teacher. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB2514.pdf
Title: H.B. 2514
Source: State legislative web site |
Civic Education |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates a program for high school students to participate in the election process as poll workers. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1028.pdf
Title: H.B. 1028
Source: State legislative web site |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
Postsec. |
Amends the requirement for a course in American History or civil government prior to receiving a baccalaureate degree. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB213.pdf
Title: S.B. 213
Source: State legislative web site |
Demographics--Enrollments |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Adds military identification cards to the list of documents acceptable for public school enrollment. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1007.pdf
Title: H.B. 1007
Source: State legislative web site |
Finance--Adequacy/Core Cost |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Creates the Joint Committee on Educational Adequacy to examine the educational needs and funding for the State. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1115.pdf
Title: H.B. 1115
Source: State legislative web site |
High School |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to World War II veterans who meet eligibility requirements.
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/SB4.pdf
Title: S.B. 4
Source: State legislative web site |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed by Governor 02/2003 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Requires a county sales tax levied for maintenance and operation of any technical college, two-year college, community college or satellite campus of a community college to be distributed directly to the college.http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1019.pdf
Title: H.B. 1019
Source: State legislative web site |
School/District Structure/Operations--Transportation |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
P-12 |
Prohibits a person from using a cellular telephone while operating a school bus. http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/bills/2003/public/HB1042.pdf
Title: H.B. 1042
Source: State legislative web site |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 02/2003 |
Postsec. |
Prohibits institutions of higher education from using students or employees' social security numbers on identification cards.
Title: H.B. 1034
Source: StateNet |
No Child Left Behind--Supplemental Services |
Active 10/2002 |
P-12 |
Supplemental Education Services RFP (not dated); closing date: November 1, 2002: http://arkedu.state.ar.us/pdf/rfp_proposal2002.pdf
Source: Arkansas Department of Education Web site |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Amends the Arkansas Code regarding requirements for private school and home-schooled students to enroll in an adult education program. Students age 16 or 17, enrolled in a private, parochial or home school who desire to enroll in an adult education program shall apply for enrollment to the adult education program, and provide a letter from the principal or administrator of the private or parochial school to verify enrollment.
Title: S.B. 940
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Adult Basic Education |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Institutes a monitoring program for students obtaining waivers of school attendance requirements to attend adult education programs.
Title: H.B. 2300
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to develop a plan to compare a school district's student gradepoint averages with student ACT and ACTAP scores.
Title: S.B. 942
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education.
From the legislation: The purpose of the General Assembly in establishing the Arkansas Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education is to: (1) seek to actively involve the private sector as full and valued partners in the improvement process; (2) define the components of the constitutional mandate for "a general, suitable and efficient system of free public schools;" (3) define an equitable and adequate system of free public education; (4) assess current efforts to improve the state's system of public education; and (5) propose and recommend legislation for the 2003 regular session of the general assembly.
Title: S.B. 907
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
This legislation creates "Limited Charter Schools" in the state. The relevant legislation can be found at the bottom.
Title: S.B. 478
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Makes several changes to the states school choice program. A public school choice program is established to enable any student to attend a school in a district in which the student does not reside, subject to the restrictions contained in this section.
Title: S.B. 772
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Curriculum |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires public elementary schools to provide instruction in the subjects of visual art or music for all students.
Title: H.B. 1883
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Desegregation |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires school districts involved in court ordered desegregation to comply with zoning requirements within 90 days after release from the court order.
Title: H.B. 2238
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Funding Formulas |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Directs the State Board of Education to conduct a study of public education, its structure, financial needs, and funds needed for improvement.
Title: H.B. 2169
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Establishes an income tax checkoff for the Arkansas School for the Blind and Arkansas School for the Deaf.
Title: H.B. 2267
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues--Alternative Revenues |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to the imposition and collection of an alcoholic beverages tax to provide funding for the child care for working families act and the Arkansas Better Chance education program.
Title: S.B. 576
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--Ethics/Conflict of Interest |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides to set forth certain ethical guidelines and prohibitions for educational administrators, employees and board members.
Title: S.B. 817
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
, Prohibits school boards and their representatives from actively discouraging efforts of teachers to secure negotiation rights.
Title: S.B. 979
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the department of health to use 40% of the funds appropriated for in-school tobacco prevention and cessation programs on state-wide implementation of the kids-for-health program.
Title: H.B. 2528
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Health |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Mandates every public educational institution in this state to offer health related education including physical education training and instruction.
Title: H.B. 2514
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Instructional Approaches--Homeschooling |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Prohibits home schooling if a sex offender resides in the home.
Title: S.B. 758
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides licensed social workers to serve the needs of children enrolled in public schools in Arkansas.
Title: H.B. 2380
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Finance |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes the establishment of a foundation for early childhood care and education.
Title: H.B. 1801
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows six-year olds that did not attend kindergarten the opportunity to enroll in either kindergarten or first grade; allows school principals to approve the enrollment of four-year olds into kindergarten.
Title: H.B. 1092
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Grades 1-3 |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to develop and conduct readiness testing for children who are entering kindergarten.
Title: H.B. 2195
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires public schools and public libraries to install internet filters or purchase internet connectivity from a provider that provides filter services to limit access to material that is harmful to minors.
Title: H.B. 1003
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
Postsec. |
Amends Arkansas code 6-63-309 to allow institutions of higher education to exceed the maximum salary levels for exceptionally well qualified personnel; relates to non-academic personnel; relates to non-classified personnel.
Title: S.B. 583
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
Postsec. |
Requires state agencies and institutions of higher education to develop an informational program on employee benefits.
Title: H.B. 2362
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
Postsec. |
Authorizes the higher education coordination board to continue the administration of various minority scholarship programs.
Title: H.B. 2554
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Requires a report from the Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education on the impact of Scholarship Programs.
Title: H.B. 2477
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Became law without governor's signature 04/2001 |
Postsec. |
Amends the Arkansas Academic Challenge Program to change the eligibility requirements; changes the financial need criteria; changes the continuing eligibility requirements; changes the definition of tuition.
Title: S.B. 595
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Affordability--Financial Aid |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
Postsec. |
Amends the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program; changes the eligibility requirements; reduces the number of applicants; lowers the amount of the award.
Title: S.B. 762
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary Institutions--Community/Technical Colleges |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
Postsec.,
Community College |
Allows community colleges to have district-wide election for local board members when division into would not create a voting zone with twenty percent or greater population in any one racial minority.
Title: S.B. 754
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Makes it unlawful for any person to use profane, violent, vulgar, abusive or insulting language toward any public school teacher during the course of his or her duties.
Title: H.B. 2394
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires students to be seated while the school bus is moving.
Title: H.B. 2464
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires notification to a school district when a juvenile is arrested or adjudicated delinquent for any offense that may affect the safety of the juvenile while at school or the safety any other person while at school.
Title: H.B. 1583
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Any public school district employee who commits a sexual offense against a minor shall, upon conviction, be dismissed from employment and shall not thereafter be eligible for employment by any school in this state.
Title: H.B. 2191
Source: Legislation |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires districts to establish web pages and then post relevant district information on that web page.
Title: H.B. 2503
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates a procedure for the creation of a school district by detachment.
Title: H.B. 1882
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Standards |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires that State Board of Education develop a comprehensive academic content standards and curriculum frameworks plan for consistency in course work offered by local school districts.
Title: H.B. 2301
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Students--Athletics/Extracurricular Activities |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
, Provides equity in competition in high school activities.
Title: H.B. 2346
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
From the legislation:
EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL PROVIDE TO EACH PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE TEACHER IN EACH FISCAL YEAR AT LEAST TEN DOLLARS ($ 10.00) PER STUDENT OR TWO HUNDRED FIFTY ($ 250) PER CLASSROOM TO PURCHASE RELATED COMMODITIES FOR USE BY THAT TEACHER IN HIS OR HER CLASSROOM OR FOR CLASS ACTIVITIES.
Title: H.B. 2621
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure--Alternative |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires parental notification of an assignment of a non-certified teacher to teach a class for more than thirty consecutive days.
Title: S.B. 416
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Makes an appropriation to the Department of Education to provide salary increases to teachers in special settings that may not be eligible for extraordinary salary increases for the 2001-2003 biennium.
Title: S.B. 693
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EDUCATOR'S COMPENSATION ACT OF 2001, NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL BE PROHIBITED FROM PAYING CERTIFIED STAFF ADDITIONAL SALARY INCREASES AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE SALARY SCHEDULE EVEN THOUGH THE CERTIFIED STAFF IS NOT EMPLOYED AN ADDITIONAL TIME PERIOD LONGER THAN THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE SALARY SCHEDULE OR REQUIRED TO PERFORM DUTIES IN ADDITION TO THE CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES REGULAR TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS.
Title: H.B. 2653
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Pertains to payment to teachers for additional contract days. This legislation establishes the pay rules for increased work days.
Title: H.B. 2375
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides for an adjustment in the annuities of those members who retired early under the Teacher Retirement System.
Title: S.B. 232
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay--Retirement/Benefits |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the amount of private school service which can be purchased in the teacher retirement system.
Title: H.B. 1077
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates the Delta Leadership Act of 2001; creates the Delta Leadership Institute for teachers to provide high quality research based professional development for teachers in the delta region.
Title: H.B. 2545
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires the Department of Education to identify critical teacher shortage areas; identifies the areas of the state that make up the arkansas Delta Region.
Title: H.B. 2478
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows school districts in the delta and in geographical teacher shortage areas to reimburse teachers for interviewing and moving expenses.
Title: H.B. 2247
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates the University Assisted Teacher Recruitment and Retention Grant Program.
Title: H.B. 1939
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Recruitment and Retention |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Creates the Arkansas Geographical Critical Needs Minority Teacher Scholarship Program.
Title: H.B. 1940
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Tenure or Continuing Contract |
Signed into law 04/2001 |
P-12 |
Prohibits school districts from terminating, suspending, or not renewing the contracts of nonprobationary status teachers without just cause.
Title: H.B. 2393
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Accountability--Accreditation |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
From the legislation:
FULL-TIME CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE SHALL NOT RECEIVE AN HOURLY RATE OF COMPENSATION LESS THAN SIX DOLLARS AND TWENTY FIVE CENTS ($ 6.25) PER HOUR.
Title: H.B. 2553
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12,
Postsec. |
Clarifies the General Assembly's intent to continue the Arkansas American College Test Assessment Assistance Pilot Program; increases the number of pilot locations.
Title: H.B. 1827
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Assessment |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
Postsec. |
Until such time as the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board approves other assessment processes or exams to be used by Arkansas colleges and universities, the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency exam, known as the "rising junior exam," shall be the required exam.
On or before the October 2001 meeting of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Department of Higher Education shall recommend to the board criteria and guidelines to use when considering the adequacy of other assessment processes or exams proposed for use at Arkansas public colleges and universities in lieu of the Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency exam.
Title: H.B. 1048
Source: State Legislation |
Choice of Schools--Choice/Open Enrollment |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Changes the rules for student transfer. Stresses the rules requiring students to attend the school district in which their home is located.
Title: S.B. 892
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Equity |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
The Department of Education may withhold state aid from any district that fails to file its assurance of compliance with civil rights responsibilities by October 15 each year, or fails to file any other information with a published deadline requested from school districts by the Equity Assistance Center so long as 30 calendar days are given between the request for the information and the published deadline. Thirty days notice shall not be required when the request comes from a member or committee of the general assembly.
Title: H.B. 2198
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
This bill makes several technical changes to school financing in the areas of: bonding, high cost transportation and isolated school funding.
Title: S.B. 603
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides for the issuance of special Committed to Education motor vehicle license plates.
Title: S.B. 213
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
Postsec. |
Amends code sections pertaining to Arkansas State Building Services review and approval of higher education institution capital improvements.
Title: S.B. 512
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes an increase in school district bond debt to 35% of the assessed value of real and personal property in the district in cases of unexpected, unforeseen or extreme hardship.
Title: H.B. 2240
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Facilities |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Directs the establishment of regulations regarding self-construction projects by public educational entities.
Title: S.B. 818
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Resource Efficiency |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows the County Treasurer to receive and disburse school district funds from 1 account if the school district is using a proper computerized accounting system.
Title: H.B. 1529
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Taxes/Revenues |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Amends School District Millage Rollback compensation appropriation for the 2001-2003 biennium.
Title: H.B. 2098
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires members of the board of directors to annually visit classrooms in the district in which they serve.
Title: H.B. 1501
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Governance--School Boards |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Clarifies the rights and duties of the county boards of education, the county school supervisors, and the county board of education designees.
Title: S.B. 192
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Instructional Approaches--Grading Practices |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Requires a uniform grading scale for non-traditional high school courses.
Title: H.B. 1826
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Integrated Services/Full-Service Schools |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Repeals the Governor's Partnership Council and the Intervention and Prevention Grant Program for Arkansas School Children.
Title: H.B. 1633
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
P-3 Finance |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
, Amends the application process for the Arkansas Better Chance Program; provides funding for early childhood programs.
Title: H.B. 2241
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Parent/Family |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Mandates parental notification of students reported to, interviewed by or taken into custody by law enforcement personnel.
Title: H.B. 2275
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Postsecondary |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
Postsec. |
Relates to motor vehicle restrictions for the various institutions of higher education.
Title: S.B. 540
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Establishes the offense of threatening a school employee or student, establishes the offense of threatening damage to a school structure.
Title: S.B. 11
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Prohibits future liquor stores from being located within 1,000 feet of a church or schoolhouse.
Title: S.B. 511
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Promotes Gun Violence Prevention Week in elementary schools.
Title: H.B. 1503
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY BY PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES; TO RESTRICT THE DONATION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY TO RETIREES; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Title: S.B. 819
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School/District Structure/Operations--District Consolidation/Deconsolidation |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
This bill completely revamps the way that school districts are consolidated in the state. The relevant sections of the legislation are below:
THERE SHALL NOT BE ANY CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION OF ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH ANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT AND APPROVAL OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
A> (A) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSIDER THE CONSOLIDATION OF AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS INTO THE EXISTENCE OF A NEW RESULTING SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: <A]
[A> (A) THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS FILE A PETITION WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REQUESTING THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS BE CONSOLIDATED INTO A RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS. <A]
[A> A COPY OF THE PETITION HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE OF EACH COUNTY WHERE THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS ARE LOCATED. THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE CERTIFIES IN WRITING TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT THE PETITION HAS BEEN SIGNED BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS; <A]
[A> (B) A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS IN THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS VOTE TO APPROVE CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS INTO A RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS PURSUANT TO A VALID ELECTION AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 6-14-122; <A]
[A> (C) THE LOCAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS VOTE TO APPROVE BY RESOLUTION OF A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF EACH LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS INTO A RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS. <A]
[A> (B) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY VOTE TO APPROVE, BY A MAJORITY OF A QUORUM PRESENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD, THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS INTO A RESULTING DISTRICT UPON RECEIPT OF A VALID PETITION FOR CONSOLIDATION AND AFTER RECEIVING PROOF FROM THE PETITIONING PARTY OF AT LEAST ONE (1) OF THE REQUIRED CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (A)(1)(A), (B) OR (C) OF THIS SECTION, AND UPON RECEIPT OF PROOF OF THE ISSUANCE OF PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE INTENT TO CONSOLIDATE AFFECTED DISTRICTS INTO A RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS OF GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS FOR A TIME PERIOD OF NO LESS THAN ONCE A WEEK FOR TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE TIME THE PETITION IS FILED WITH THE STATE BOARD. <A]
[A> (C) IN ORDER FOR THE PETITION FOR CONSOLIDATION TO BE VALID, IT SHALL BE FILED WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS PRIOR TO THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, AT WHICH TIME THE PETITION WILL BE PRESENTED FOR HEARING BEFORE THE STATE BOARD. <A]
[A> (D) UPON APPROVAL OF A PETITION REQUESTING CONSOLIDATION, THE STATE BOARD SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER DISSOLVING THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ESTABLISHING THE RESULTING SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS. THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE MAPS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROPERLY SHOW THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS. <A]
[A> (E) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE CHANGED BOUNDARIES AND SHALL FILE THE ORDER WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OR CLERKS WHERE THE RESULTING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS ARE LOCATED. THE COUNTY CLERK SHALL MAKE A PERMANENT RECORD OF THE ORDER AND, THEREAFTER, THE BOUNDARIES SO ESTABLISHED SHALL BE BOUNDARIES OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT UNTIL CHANGES ARE MADE ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONS OF LAW. <A]
[A> (F) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL NOT CONSOLIDATE AFFECTED DISTRICTS WHICH ARE NOT GEOGRAPHICALLY CONTIGUOUS UNLESS THE FOLLOWING LIMITED CONDITIONS ARE DETERMINED TO BE VALID REASONS FOR CONSOLIDATION: <A]
[A> (1) THE CONSOLIDATION WILL RESULT IN THE OVERALL IMPROVEMENT IN THE EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT TO STUDENTS IN ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INVOLVED; OR <A]
[A> (2) THE CONSOLIDATION WILL PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGE IN TRANSPORTATION COSTS OR SERVICE TO ALL THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INVOLVED. <A]
[A> 6-13-1405. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION. <A]
[A> (A) UNLESS AN AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN THE CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION AGREEMENT TO BE DIFFERENT, THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION SHALL BE THE JULY 1 FOLLOWING THE ORDER OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DIRECTING THE ANNEXATION OR THE CONSOLIDATION. <A]
[A> (B) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS BY MAJORITY APPROVAL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BOARDS MAY ENTER INTO A WRITTEN AGREEMENT, EXECUTED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF EACH DISTRICT. THE AGREEMENT SHALL PRESCRIBE THE DATE OF THE ANNEXATION OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS TO THE RECEIVING DISTRICT OR THE FORMATION OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT FROM CONSOLIDATION OF AFFECTED DISTRICTS. <A]
[A> (C) THE AGREEMENT SHALL ALSO CONTAIN THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT AND PRESCRIBE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT AS PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 6-13-1206. <A]
[A> (D) AN EXECUTED COPY OF THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE FILED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OF EACH COUNTY WHICH CONTAINS TERRITORY OR A PORTION OF THE TERRITORY OF EACH AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT. <A]
[A> 6-13-1406. BOARD OF DIRECTORS - TERM - ELECTION. <A]
[A> (A)(1) UNLESS THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RECEIVING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS AGREE OTHERWISE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RECEIVING DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS AFTER ANNEXATION SHALL BE THE SAME BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RECEIVING DISTRICT PRIOR TO ANNEXATION UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR SCHOOL ELECTION. <A]
[A> (2) THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS MAY BY AGREEMENT ESTABLISH A NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OTHER THAN THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RECEIVING DISTRICT COMPOSED OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE (5) NOR MORE THAN SEVEN (7) DIRECTORS EXCEPT FOR THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALLOWED TO DO OTHERWISE PURSUANT TO SECTION 6-13-604. <A]
[A> (3) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RECEIVING DISTRICT CREATED BY AGREEMENT SHALL BE ELECTED FROM SINGLE-MEMBER ZONES OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL POPULATION BASED UPON THE MOST RECENT CENSUS INFORMATION AND FROM WHICH RACIAL MINORITIES MAY BE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD IN PROPORTIONS REFLECTED IN THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE. <A]
[A> (B)(1) UNLESS THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS AGREE OTHERWISE, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT AFTER CONSOLIDATION SHALL BE COMPOSED OF SEVEN (7) MEMBERS UNTIL THE NEXT REGULAR SCHOOL ELECTION. <A]
[A> (2) THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS MAY BY AGREEMENT ESTABLISH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT COMPOSED OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE (5) NOR MORE THAN SEVEN (7) DIRECTORS EXCEPT FOR THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALLOWED TO DO OTHERWISE PURSUANT TO SECTION 6-13-604. <A]
[A> (3) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE RESULTING DISTRICT SHALL BE ELECTED FROM SINGLE-MEMBER ZONES OF SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL POPULATION BASED UPON THE MOST RECENT CENSUS INFORMATION AND FROM WHICH RACIAL MINORITIES MAY BE REPRESENTED ON THE BOARD IN PROPORTIONS REFLECTED IN THE DISTRICT AS A WHOLE. <A]
[A> (C) THE LENGTH OF THE TERM OF EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AFTER ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION SHALL BE FOR A TIME PERIOD AS ALLOWED BY LAW. <A]
[A> (D) AT THE FIRST MEETING OF A NEW BOARD AFTER ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION, THE MEMBERS SHALL DETERMINE THEIR TERMS BY LOT SO THAT NO MORE THAN TWO (2) MEMBERS' TERMS EXPIRE DURING ANY ONE (1) YEAR. <A]
[A> (E) ANY VACANCY ON THE BOARD SHALL BE FILLED IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR BY LAW. <A]
[A> (F) THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH AN EVEN NUMBER OF MEMBERS FOLLOWING ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION IS HEREBY PROHIBITED. <A]
[A> 6-13-1407. CREATION OF A DISTRICT - WHEN PART OF A DISTRICT TAKEN. <A]
[A> (A) ANY RECEIVING OR RESULTING DISTRICT CREATED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BECOME THE SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO THE PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT DISSOLVED, SHALL BECOME LIABLE FOR THE CONTRACT AND DEBTS OF SUCH DISTRICT, AND MAY SUE AND BE SUED THEREFORE. <A]
[A> (B) WHEN TERRITORY LESS THAN THE ENTIRE DISTRICT IS ANNEXED OR CONSOLIDATED TO A DISTRICT, THE RECEIVING OR RESULTING DISTRICT SHALL TAKE THE PROPERTY OF THE DISTRICT FROM WHICH THE TERRITORY WAS TAKEN, AS THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL DEEM PROPER, AND SHALL BE LIABLE FOR THAT PART OF ALL INDEBTEDNESS OF THE DISTRICT FROM WHICH THE TERRITORY WAS TAKEN AS SHALL BE ASSIGNED TO THEM BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY MAJORITY VOTE OF THE AFFECTED SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS BOARDS OF DIRECTORS. <A]
[A> 6-13-1408. ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION NOT TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT STATE-ASSISTED DESEGREGATION. <A]
[A> (A) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL NOT ORDER ANY ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION UNDER THIS SUBCHAPTER OR ANY OTHER ACT OR COMBINATION UNDER ANY ACT WHICH HAMPERS, DELAYS, OR IN ANY MANNER NEGATIVELY AFFECTS THE DESEGREGATION EFFORTS OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS IN THIS STATE. <A]
[A> (B) PRIOR TO THE ENTRY OF ANY ORDER UNDER THIS SUBCHAPTER, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL SEEK AN ADVISORY OPINION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION ON THE EFFORT OF THE STATE TO ASSIST A DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS IN DESEGREGATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE. <A]
[A> (C) ANY ORDER OF ANNEXATION OR CONSOLIDATION OR COMBINATION THEREOF WHICH VIOLATES THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE NULL AND VOID. <A]
[A> 6-13-1409. STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION. <A]
[A> (A) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES REGARDING CONSOLIDATIONS AND ANNEXATIONS: <A]
[A> (1) TO FORM LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CHANGE BOUNDARY LINES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS, DISSOLVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ANNEX THE TERRITORY OF SUCH DISTRICTS TO ANOTHER DISTRICT, CREATE NEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND PERFORM ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS REGARDING CHANGES IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW; <A]
[A> (2) TO TRANSFER FUNDS AND ATTACH TERRITORY WHICH IS IN NO SCHOOL DISTRICT TO OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS MAY SEEM BEST FOR THE EDUCATIONAL WELFARE OF THE CHILDREN; AND <A]
[A> (3) TO ENACT RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE CONSOLIDATION AND ANNEXATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS UNDER THIS TITLE. <A]
[A> (B)(1) ANY PERSON BEING A PARTY TO A PROCEEDING IN FRONT OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION CONCERNING CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION WHO FEELS AGGRIEVED BY ANY FINAL ORDER OR DECISION OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY FILE A PETITION FOR APPEAL FROM SUCH FINAL ORDER OR DECISION, PROVIDED, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE FINAL ORDER OR DECISION COMPLAINED OF, THE PERSON SHALL: <A]
[A> (A) MAKE AN AFFIDAVIT THAT THE APPEAL TAKEN FROM SUCH FINAL ORDER OR DECISION OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS NOT TAKEN FOR PURPOSES OF DELAY; AND <A]
[A> (B) ENTER INTO A BOND WITH GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SURETY THEREON IN SUCH SUM AS SHALL BE ORDERED BY THE STATE BOARD, NOT TO EXCEED TWICE THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX REVENUES INVOLVED IN THE APPEAL. <A]
[A> (2) THE APPEAL PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY. <A]
SECTION 2. Arkansas Code 6-14-122 is amended to read as follows:
6-14-122. Consolidation, annexation, or merger of districts.
(a) The consideration of the question of the consolidation, [A> OR <A] annexation [D> , or merger <D] of two (2) or more school districts, or parts thereof, in their entireties (kindergarten through twelfth grade), may be made at the annual school election with the issue of combining the districts and the levying of a specified tax millage to support the new district placed on the ballot as a single issue, in order to assure that when the two (2) or more districts, or parts thereof, are combined into one district, a single millage will be levied for support of the new district.
(b) [D> Furthermore, the <D] [A> THE <A] board of directors of the districts may, by resolution duly adopted and with the approval of the Director of the Department of Education, set a date for the annual school election in that year for the districts involved on a date other than the date set in Section 6-14-102 for all school districts, provided only one (1) annual school election may be held in any school district in one (1) calendar year.
[A> (C) IF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS PETITIONED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS, BY RESOLUTION DULY ADOPTED BY MAJORITY VOTE OF EACH OF THE LOCAL BOARDS, OR WHEN PETITIONED BY AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS AS CERTIFIED IN WRITING BY THE COUNTY CLERK OF EACH COUNTY WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OR DISTRICTS ARE LOCATED, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY CALL A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS OTHERWISE ALLOWED FOR IN SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION. <A]
[A> (D) THE SPECIAL ELECTION ON CONSOLIDATION OR ANNEXATION SHALL BE HELD BY THE SAME OFFICIALS AT THE SAME POLLING PLACES, AND THE RETURNS SHALL BE MADE, CANVASSED, AND PUBLISHED IN THE SAME MANNER AS IS PROVIDED BY LAW FOR ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS. <A]
Title: S.B. 896
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Special Education |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides instructional materials to disabled students in a format that is compatible with commonly used braille translation and speech synthesis software.
Title: S.B. 537
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Students--Records/Rights |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows students to testify in private in hearings under the teacher fair dismissal act.
Title: H.B. 1774
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Certification and Licensure |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the bonus for teachers obtaining the National Board Professional Teaching Certification.
Title: S.B. 245
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Increase teacher pay in the state by $1,000 (over 2001 pay) in 2002 and by $3,000 (over 2001 pay) in 2003.
Title: S.B. 598
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows retirants of the Teacher Retirement System to become an active member in order to participate in the Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan (T-DROP).
Title: S.B. 194
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Authorizes nonteaching school district employees who are members of the public employees' retirement system to have nonteaching service after July 1, 2001 covered under the teacher retirement system.
Title: H.B. 1078
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows teachers and other school employees to receive gifts or compensation in recognition of the employee's contribution to education.
Title: H.B. 1063
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Allows members of the Teacher Retirement System to retire and return to work within 30 days and repeals the earnings limitations after retirement.
Title: H.B. 1272
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
ANY TEACHER NOT RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL PLANNING TIME AS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE COMPENSATED FOR THE PLANNING TIME LOST AT HIS OR HER HOURLY RATE OF PAY.
Title: S.B. 944
Source: State Legislation |
Technology |
Signed into law 03/2001 |
P-12 |
Establishes an Internet use policy for public schools and libraries.
Title: S.B. 717
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Career/Technical Education |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Repeals provisions pertaining to the Model Vocational-Technical Education Resource Center.
From the legislation:
> EMERGENCY CLAUSE. IT IS FOUND AND DETERMINED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT QUESTIONS HAVE ARISEN REGARDING THE USE OF FUNDS BY THE MODEL VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER; THAT IT IS CURRENTLY OPERATING WITHOUT AN APPROVED BUDGET, AND ITS EXISTENCE IS PREVENTING THE PROPER USE OF RESOURCES WHICH ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CHILDREN OF THIS STATE. THEREFORE, AN EMERGENCY IS DECLARED TO EXIST AND THIS ACT BEING IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE PUBLIC PEACE, HEALTH AND SAFETY SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON JUNE 30, 2001.
Title: H.B. 1282
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Choice of Schools--Charter Schools |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Amends the selection process for admission to a Charter school in a school district under court ordered desegregation.
Title: S.B. 322
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Relates to allowing students to possess electronic communication devices on a school campus after normal school activities for Extracurricular activities.
Title: S.B. 10
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
School Safety |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Repeals the law which makes it unlawful for a student to possess an electronic paging device, beeper, or similar communication device while on school property.
Title: S.B. 218
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the lump-sum death benefits for active and retired members of the Teacher Retirement System.
Title: S.B. 167
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Provides an increase in the additional monthly benefit for all retirees in the Teacher Retirement System.
Title: S.B. 171
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Compensation and Diversified Pay |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Amends the teacher retirement system law to define the normal retirement age for the system and adds provisions concerning the normal retirement age.
Title: S.B. 170
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Teaching Quality--Professional Development |
Signed into law 02/2001 |
P-12 |
Increases the award for subsidized teacher training for advanced placement courses. The award will now increase from $450 to $650 per teacher.
Title: S.B. 60
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |
Finance--Lotteries |
Unofficially rejected by Voters 11/2000 |
P-12 |
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 5 (Opinion 99-245) Amends the State Constitution. Establishes a State Lottery; permits charitable bingo games and raffles; allows Arkansas Casino Corporation to own and operate 6 casino gambling establishments (one each in Sebastian, Pulaski, Garland, Miller, Crittenden and Boone Counties); establishes the Arkansas Educational Trust Fund and the Arkansas Gaming Commission.
Title: V. 5
Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet |