Bill > HB1874

This bill amends the Arkansas Public School Funding Act of 2003 to modify how professional development funding is allocated and used. Currently, schools receive up to $41 per student for professional development, and the bill changes how any additional funding above that amount can be used. Instead of developing professional learning communities as previously allowed, the excess funding must now be used to implement the LEARNS Act, which aims to improve student academic outcomes. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is given discretionary authority to distribute these additional funds through grants to eligible entities and to create rules for administering the funding. The bill removes previous language about partnering with education service cooperatives to develop professional learning communities and instead focuses on direct implementation of the LEARNS Act. The changes appear designed to provide more flexibility in how professional development funds can be used and to prioritize direct student academic improvement through the LEARNS Act.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1874&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R