Bill > SB246

This bill, called the Arkansas Access Act, makes numerous changes to Arkansas education law across multiple areas. Here's a comprehensive summary: This bill modifies the membership and meeting requirements of the School Leadership Coordinating Council, reducing the number of members and allowing for additional stakeholders. It repeals the existing Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness and replaces various provisions related to advanced placement and concurrent enrollment with a new framework for "accelerated learning." The bill broadens the definition of accelerated learning to include multiple types of advanced coursework, such as International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education, and concurrent credit courses. The legislation introduces several significant changes to higher education, including: - Creating the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program to help students receive provisional admissions offers based on academic criteria - Establishing new scholarship programs like the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship for dependents of public employees or military personnel killed or disabled in the line of duty - Modifying existing scholarship programs like the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship and Workforce Challenge Scholarship - Adding provisions to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at state-supported institutions of higher education - Changing residency classification rules for state-funded scholarships - Implementing new faculty performance review standards The bill also includes provisions affecting K-12 education, such as: - Creating rules about student absences for political protests - Establishing a Purple Star School designation for schools supporting military-connected students - Modifying teacher training and professional development requirements Additionally, the legislation makes numerous technical amendments to various sections of Arkansas education law, streamlining definitions, updating scholarship programs, and adjusting administrative procedures across different educational institutions and levels.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb246&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R