Bill > HB1903

This bill amends Arkansas state law to provide more flexibility for school districts in establishing and managing alternative learning environments (ALEs). Currently, school districts are required to have ALEs, but this bill changes the language from "shall" to "may," effectively making ALE programs optional rather than mandatory. The bill modifies two sections of the Arkansas Code: first, it updates the disciplinary policy requirements to clarify that districts can place students with behavioral or disciplinary problems in an alternative learning environment if they choose to provide such a program. Second, it removes the word "required" from the ALE statute and changes several verb tenses to give districts more discretion in how they implement ALEs. Districts can still create their own ALE programs, cooperate with other districts, use education service cooperatives, or partner with higher education institutions to provide alternative learning options. For districts that do provide ALEs, they will continue to be required to submit annual reports to the state education division, including demographic information about students in these programs and an assurance of compliance with relevant regulations. The changes give school districts more autonomy in designing and implementing alternative learning environments while maintaining reporting requirements.

Education

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1903&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R