Bill > HB1542

This bill requires private schools in Arkansas that receive any amount of state funding to administer an annual statewide student assessment and to admit all students who apply and intend to use state funds to cover their education costs. Specifically, the bill mandates that private schools must participate in the state's student assessment system, which includes developmentally appropriate measurements for kindergarten through grade two, literacy screeners, assessments in English language arts, mathematics, and science, and college and career readiness assessments. Private schools will be responsible for covering the costs of these assessments and must maintain the security and confidentiality of the test materials. The bill also establishes that a private school can only claim a lack of capacity to admit a student if it has reached the maximum student-to-teacher ratio permitted by federal or state rules, and requires schools to submit a capacity report to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education by May 31 each year. The legislation defines a private school as a nonpublic school offering K-12 instruction that receives any type of state funding, and applies to state funding programs such as the Philanthropic Investment in Arkansas Kids Program and the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1542&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R