Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
1.00
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
1.01 These rules
shall be known as the Arkansas Department of Education ("ADE" or "Department")
Rules Governing the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and
School Districts.
1.02 These rules
are promulgated pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§
6-11-105,
6-15-202,
6-15-203,
6-15-207,
6-15-209, and
25-15-201 et
seq.
2.00
PURPOSE
2.01 These rules are to set
forth the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas to all public schools and
public school districts and to apply the Standards for Accreditation to all
public schools and public school districts for the purpose of determining
accreditation of the school and district.
2.02 These rules describe the minimum
requirements and process whereby Arkansas public schools and public school
districts are accredited, the process whereby Arkansas public schools and
public school districts will be cited or placed in probationary status for
failure to meet the Standards for Accreditation, and to set forth the
enforcement actions that may be applied to Arkansas public schools and public
school districts that fail to meet the Standards for
Accreditation.
3.00
DEFINITIONS - For purposes of these Rules, the following terms
mean:
3.01 "Accredited - Cited" means the
status assigned to a public school or public school district that fails to meet
any Standard identified by a "C" as being a cited violation in these
rules.
3.02 "Enforcement action"
means the intervention of the State to require compliance of a public school or
a public school district that fails to meet the Standards for Accreditation of
Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.
3.03 "Accredited - Probation" means the
status assigned to a public school or public school district that fails to meet
any Standard identified by a "P" as being a probationary violation in these
rules or fails to correct a violation by the specified deadline for which it
acquired cited status.
3.04 "Public
school" means:
3.04.1 A school operated by a
public school district; or
3.04.2
An open-enrollment public charter school, as defined in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-23-103.
3.05 "Public school district" means:
3.05.1 A geographic area that qualifies as a
taxing unit for purposes of ad valorem property taxes under Ark. Code Ann.
§
26-1-101 et seq. and Arkansas
Constitution, Article 14, § 3, and is either:
3.05.1.1 Governed by an elected board of
directors; or
3.05.1.2 Under the
administrative control of the State Board or the Commissioner of Education in
place of an elected board of directors; or
3.05.2 An open-enrollment public charter
school, as defined in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-23-103.
3.06 "Standards for Accreditation" means the
series of requirements that specify what a public school or public school
district shall meet in order to be fully accredited by the Arkansas Department
of Education.
3.07 "Written
curriculum" includes identified sequences of student learning expectations,
pacing, materials and resources used to teach the Arkansas Academic Standards
and processes for evaluating mastery of the standards at particular points in
time throughout the K-12 educational program.
4.00
BI-ANNUAL REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF
THE STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION
The Department is responsible for the development of the
Standards for Accreditation and shall review these standards every two years to
ensure alignment with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department.
The review process shall include:
4.01 Public notice of the intent to review
the Standards. Public notice may include notice of intent provided at a State
Board meeting, on the Department website, by Commissioner's Memo, or Department
social media;
4.02 Organization of
a committee consisting of Arkansas educators, administrators, and other
stakeholders to review and provide feedback to Department staff regarding the
Standards for Accreditation, particularly those found to have the most
violations or in conflict with state law or rules;
4.03 Revision, as needed, of the Standards
for Accreditation by Department staff;
4.04 Submission of the revised Standards for
Accreditation for review by the State Board of Education;
4.05 Submission to the Senate and House
Education Committees for review and feedback to the State Board of Education;
and
4.06 Review of the Senate and
House Education Committee feedback and submission to the Board for approval of
the Standards for Accreditation.
5.00
CITED STATUS
5.01 A public school district shall be
assigned Accredited - Cited status when it is deemed to have failed to meet any
standard defined with a district cited status "D/C" in the
Standards for Accreditation.
5.02 A
public school shall be assigned Accredited - Cited status when it is deemed to
have failed to meet any standard defined with a school cited status ("S/C") in
the Standards for Accreditation.
5.03 No public school or public school
district shall maintain Accredited - Cited status for violation of any
particular standard for a time period greater than two (2) consecutive school
years including the year the Accredited - Cited status is assigned, unless
provided otherwise in these rules.
5.04 Any public school or public school
district that fails to remedy itself from Accredited - Cited status for
violation of a particular standard after two (2) consecutive school years shall
be assigned Accredited - Probation status.
6.00
PROBATIONARY STATUS
6.01 A public school district shall be
assigned Accredited - Probation status when it is deemed to have failed to meet
any standard defined with a district probationary status ("D/P") in the
Standards for Accreditation or was in Accredited - Cited status for the same
violation the previous two (2) consecutive school years.
6.02 A public school shall be assigned
Accredited - Probation status when it is deemed to have failed to meet any
standard defined with a school probationary status ("S/P") in the Standards for
Accreditation or was in Accredited - Cited status for the same violation the
previous two (2) consecutive school years.
6.03 No public school or public school
district shall maintain Accredited - Probation status for violation of any
standard for more than two (2) consecutive school years including the year the
Accredited - Probation status is assigned.
6.04 Any public school or public school
district that fails to remedy itself from Accredited - Probation status after
the two (2) consecutive school years will be subject to mandates of Ark. Code
Ann. §
6-15-207 and Section 9.00 of these
Rules.
7.00
ACCREDITATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
7.01 A public school or public school
district shall be accredited based on compliance with the Standards for
Accreditation and shall be identified as Accredited.
7.02 A material and substantial failure to
comply with any state or federal law, rule, or regulation that interferes with
a public school or public school district's obligation to provide a general,
suitable and efficient education may result in a recommendation of Accredited -
Cited or Accredited - Probation status.
7.03 Any person who knowingly submits or
falsifies information requested or required by the Department may be subject to
licensure action pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
6-17-410 and other relevant state
and federal law.
7.04 ACCREDITATION
PROCESS
7.04.1 The Department shall annually
review all public school and public school district accreditation
reports.
7.04.2 The Department
shall:
7.04.2.1 Investigate any suspected
deficiencies in meeting the Standards for Accreditation.
7.04.2.2 Investigate all written complaints
charging violations of the Standards for Accreditation received by the
Department.
7.04.2.3 Conduct
additional review of public schools and public school districts identified as
being at risk of failing to meet the Standards for Accreditation.
7.04.2.4 Conduct an on-site review of public
schools and public school districts whenever the Department or State Board of
Education deems necessary.
7.04.3 At any time, a public school or public
school district which does not meet the Standards for Accreditation, as
determined by the Department, shall be notified in writing of the deficiency
and the timeline for correction. Any deficiency unresolved shall be reported to
the State Board of Education for consideration of action.
7.04.4 By May 1, the Department shall notify
the public school district superintendent of the public schools or public
school districts recommended accreditation status.
7.04.5 The State Board of Education will
review the recommendation from the Department and make the final determination
of accreditation status for the identified public schools or public school
districts as outlined in Section 8.0 of these rules.
7.04.6 Public schools and public school
districts classified as Accredited - Probation for more than two (2)
consecutive school years shall be subject to enforcement actions pursuant to
Ark. Code Ann. §
6-15-207 and Section 9.00 of these
Rules.
8.00
SPECIFIC TIME FRAME FOR CITATIONS OR PROBATIONS
8.01 A public school or public school
district may be placed in Accredited - Cited or Accredited - Probation status
if any violation of the Standards for Accreditation has not been corrected or
the appropriate documentation detailing the public school or public school
district's plan, including necessary timelines, to correct the deficiency is
not received by the Department within thirty (30) days of notification of the
violation or by May 15, whichever occurs first.
8.02 The Department will review the submitted
documentation and respond in writing with the length of time that will be
allowed for correction of the deficiency. The time to correct the deficiency
shall not exceed ninety (90) days or beyond the last day of student contact for
the school year, whichever occurs first.
8.03 The recommended accreditation status
will be submitted to the State Board of Education for final approval.
8.04 After approval by the State Board of
Education, the public school or public school district will be identified as
Accredited - Cited or Accredited - Probation which shall be considered the
first year of identification. The identification will remain in place for the
following school year which shall be considered the second year of
identification.
9.00
ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION
9.01 The State Board of Education may, on its
own motion or upon petition from the Department, take any number of the
following actions, listed in Section 9.03, to address a public school or public
school district which has failed to meet the Standards for Accreditation at any
time after a public school or public school district has received notice of
being placed in Accredited - Probation status pursuant to Section 7.04.4 of
these rules. The Department shall petition the State Board of Education for
enforcement action as allowed by these rules when a public school or public
school district has failed to remedy all probationary violations within the
specified time period for correction.
9.02 The State Board of Education shall take
at least one of the actions listed in Section 9.03 to address any public school
or public school district that has failed to meet the Standards for
Accreditation for two (2) consecutive school years including the year the
Accredited - Probation status was issued, unless the State Board of Education,
at its discretion, issues written findings supported by a majority of the
board, that the public school or public school district could not meet the
current Standards in the required time period due to impossibility caused by
external forces beyond the public school or public school district's
control.
9.03 The State Board of
Education shall be allowed to take the following actions to address any public
school or public school district on Accredited - Probation status for failing
to meet the Standards for Accreditation:
9.03.1 Require a public school district to
reorganize, or to reassign the administrative, instructional, or support staff
of a public school or public school district;
9.03.2 Require a public school or public
school district to institute and fully implement a curriculum that is aligned
to the Arkansas Academic Standards, including providing appropriate
professional development at the cost of the public school district;
9.03.3 Remove a particular public school from
the jurisdiction of a public school district and establish alternative public
governance and supervision of such school or schools;
9.03.4 Require a public school district to
close down or dissolve a particular public school or schools within a public
school district;
9.03.5 Annex a
public school district or districts or parts thereof with another receiving
public school district or districts pursuant to the authority of Ark. Code Ann.
§
6-13-1401 et seq.;
9.03.6 Consolidate a public school district
or districts or parts thereof with another public school district or districts
or parts thereof to form a resulting district pursuant to the authority of Ark.
Code Ann. §
6-13-1401 et seq.;
9.03.7 Reconstitute the leadership of a
public school district by removing permanently or suspending on a temporary
basis the superintendent of the public school district or any particular board
members of a public school district. The State Board of Education shall have
the authority to appoint an administrator or to call for the election of new
school board members to administer the affairs and provide governance of the
public school district, or both;
9.03.8 Designate the public school or public
school district as being Accredited -Corrective Action; or
9.03.9 Take any other appropriate action
allowed by law which is determined by the State Board of Education to assist
and address a public school or public school district failing to meet the
Standards for Accreditation.
10.00
RIGHT OF APPEAL
In the event a public school or public school district believes
the Department has improperly determined that any public school or public
school district has failed to meet the Standards for Accreditation, the public
school district shall have a right to file its written appeal with the office
of the Commissioner of Education.
10.01
Any appeal shall be held at an open hearing, and the decision of the State
Board of Education shall be in open session. The appeal must be filed no later
than May 15 following the May 1 written notification, and the State Board of
Education hearing must be held prior to June 30 of the same calendar
year.
10.02 The following
procedures shall apply to State Board of Education hearings in which the public
school district believes the Department improperly determined that the public
school or public school district failed to meet the Standards for
Accreditation:
10.02.1 All persons wishing to
testify before the State Board shall first be placed under oath by the
Chairperson of the State Board.
10.02.2 The Department shall have up to
twenty (20) minutes to present its case to the State Board. The Chairperson of
the State Board may allow additional time if necessary.
10.02.3 The appealing public school district
shall have up to twenty (20) minutes to present its case to the State Board.
The Chairperson of the State Board may allow additional time if
necessary.
10.02.4 The State Board
may pose questions to any party at any time during the hearing.
10.02.5 The State Board shall then discuss,
deliberate, and vote upon the matter.
10.02.6 If deemed necessary, the State Board
may take the matter under advisement and announce its decision at a later date,
provided that all discussions, deliberations, and votes upon the matter take
place at a public hearing.
10.02.7
The State Board shall issue a written order concerning the matter.
10.03 The State Board of Education
may approve the classification of the public school or public school district
accreditation status, as determined by the Department, or it may sustain the
appeal of the district.
10.04
Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §
6-15-203, an appeal from the ruling
of the State Board of Education may be made by a public school district to the
Pulaski County Circuit Court provided such appeal is made pursuant to the
Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, Ark. Code Ann. §
25-15-201 et seq.
11.00
WAIVER AUTHORITY AND
PROCESS
11.01 Except as provided by
Ark. Code Ann. §
6-15-202(b)(2),
the State Board of Education on its own motion, or on petition from the
Department or from a district, may, upon a showing of just cause in a public
hearing of the State Board of Education, grant a waiver of any Standard for
Accreditation for no longer than one (1) school year. However, no curricula,
student performance, school performance, or any standard required by law may be
waived for any time period.
11.01.1 A
petition for waiver of any Standard for Accreditation by a public school
district shall be filed in the Office of the Commissioner of Education thirty
(30) calendar days prior to the meeting of the State Board of Education hearing
the waiver petition, or no later than April 20, whichever occurs
first.
11.01.2 A hearing of the
State Board of Education concerning a waiver of any Standard for Accreditation
shall be conducted in a public hearing of a properly announced regular or
special meeting of the State Board of Education in accordance with Arkansas law
no later than May 20.
11.02 A waiver of any Standard for
Accreditation approved by the State Board of Education shall only apply to the
school year in which it was granted. The approved waiver shall not apply to the
next school year.
12.00
NOTIFICATION TO THE PUBLIC
When any public school or a public school district is
determined by the State Board of Education to be in Accredited - Probation or
Accredited - Corrective Action status for failure to meet the Standards for
Accreditation, the public school district, after exhausting its rights to
appeal, shall publish the accreditation status determination and findings of
the State Board of Education to the public and the parents or guardians of each
student enrolled in the public school or public school district determined to
have failed to meet the Standards for Accreditation.
12.01 The public notice shall be in an
understandable and uniform format;
12.02 Immediately after the State Board of
Education's determination, the public notice shall be published or
disseminated:
12.02.1 On the website of the
public school district; and
12.02.2
Published at least one (1) time a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a local
newspaper of general circulation in the affected public school
district.
12.03
Documentation of the publication shall be posted on the district website under
State - Required Information until the State Board of Education removes the
status.
APPENDIX A - THE STANDARDS FOR
ACCREDITATION
Standard 1:
Academics
The academic system of a public school district ensures all
students have access to a guaranteed viable curriculum aligned to the Arkansas
Academic Standards for all academic areas.
Standard 1-A Curriculum and Instruction
1-A.1 Each public school district board of
directors shall annually adopt and implement written curriculum aligned to the
Arkansas Academic Standards for the operation of the school district in
accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department. Reading, writing, speaking, and personal success skills shall be
incorporated into all curriculum areas. (D/C)
1-A.1.1 For Grades K-4, all students shall
receive instruction annually in each of the following content areas
(S/P):
1-A.1.1.1 English
Language Arts;
1-A.1.1.2
Mathematics;
1-A.1.1.3 Social
Studies;
1-A.1.1.4
Science;
1-A.1.1.5 Fine Arts;
and
1-A.1.1.6 Health and Safety
Education and Physical Education.
1-A.1.2 For Grades 5-8, all students shall
receive instruction annually in each of the following content areas
(S/P):
1-A.1.2.1 English
Language Arts;
1-A.1.2.2
Mathematics;
1-A.1.2.3
Science;
1-A.1.2.4 Social
Studies;
1-A.1.2.5 Physical
Education;
1-A.1.2.6 Fine
Arts;
1-A.1.2.7 Health and Safety;
and
1-A.1.2.8 Career and Technical
Education.
1-A.1.2.9 A unit of
Arkansas history shall be taught as a social studies subject at each elementary
grade level in every elementary school in the state with greater emphasis at
the fourth (4th) and fifth (5th) grade levels, and at least one (1) full
semester of Arkansas history taught to all students at the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th,
11th, or 12th grade level in every public secondary school in the state.
(S/P)
1-A.1.2.10
Upon approval by the Department, courses taught in grades 5-8 may be offered
for high school graduation credit. Courses shall have the same rigor as those
taught in high school, but content for a single course may be taught over a
two-year period. Teachers shall be licensed, or teaching under an approved
waiver, in the course taught with students participating in appropriate
examinations. (S/P)
1-A.1.3 For Grades 9-12, the following
content areas shall be offered annually for a total of 38 units, except as
otherwise allowed by law and these rules
(S/P):
1-A.1.3.1 English Language Arts - 6
units;
1-A.1.3.2 Science - 5
units;
1-A.1.3.3 Mathematics - 6
units;
1-A.1.3.4 Computer Science -
1 unit;
1-A.1.3.5 Foreign Languages
- 2 units of the same language;
1-A.1.3.6 Fine Arts - 3 1/2 units;
1-A.1.3.7 Social Studies - 4 units;
1-A.1.3.8 Health and Safety Education and
Physical Education -1 1/2 units; and
1-A.1.3.9 Career and Technical Education - 9
units of sequenced career and technical education courses representing three
(3) occupational areas.
1-A.1.3.10
Courses offerings shall include advanced educational courses in accordance with
the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department.
(S/P)
1-A.1.3.11
Beginning with the freshman class of 2017-2018, all students must earn credit
in a course that has personal and family finance standards.
(S/P)
1-A.1.4 Following the Course Approval
Process, a public school may request to combine or embed the Arkansas Academic
Standards from two (2) separate courses into one (1) combined course. The
public school must continue to teach the Arkansas Academic Standards for each
separate course that is combined. (S/P)
1-A.2 A unit of credit shall be awarded for a
course which meets for a minimum of 120 clock hours unless the public school
district awards units of credit based on subject matter competency in
compliance with the public school district's approved plan under Ark. Code Ann.
§
6-15-216. (S/P)
1-A.3 Each public school district
shall ensure that all required courses are taught in accordance with the laws
of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. A list of the
required courses approved by the State Board of Education is posted annually on
the Department website. (D/P)
1-A.4 Each public school district
superintendent shall submit a signed statement of assurance to the Department
verifying that the public school district has established procedures and
monitoring processes to ensure that the content of each course offered by the
district is consistent with the Arkansas Academic Standards.
(D/C)
1-A.5 Each
public school district shall adopt a school calendar and provide planned
instruction per day in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and
the rules of the Department. (D/C)
1-A.5.1 Each public school shall provide a
minimum of 178 days of student-teacher interaction time.
(S/P)
1-A.5.2
Except where otherwise allowed by law, each public school shall provide a
planned instructional day that averages no less than six (6) hours per day or
thirty (30) hours per week. Any day in which fewer than six (6) hours of
instructional time is provided to students shall be counted as one-half (1/2)
of a school day if at least three (3) hours of instructional time is provided
to students. Any day in which fewer than three (3) hours of instructional time
is provided to students shall not be counted as part of a school day.
(S/P)
1-A.6 Each public school district shall
comply with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department
regarding class size and teaching load. (D-S/P)
1-A.7 Each public school district shall adopt
instructional material consistent with the public school district's curriculum
and the Arkansas Academic Standards and educational goals established by the
State Board of Education in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas
and the rules of the Department. (D/P)
1-A.8 Each public school district
superintendent shall submit a signed statement of assurance to the Department
verifying that the district is providing all necessary instructional materials
to each student without cost to the student. (D/P)
Standard 1-B Academic Policies
1-B.1 Each public school district shall
engage parents, staff, and students in the adoption or review of the written
discipline policies, including a code of student behavior, in accordance with
the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. The public
school district shall notify the parent(s) or guardian and students of the
rules and procedures by which the school is governed and require a signed
acknowledgement from the parent(s) or guardian that they have received the
school's discipline policies. (D/C)
1-B.2 Annually by August 1, each public
school district shall post its written discipline policies on the district
website under State - Required Information. (D/C)
1-B.3 Each public school district shall
comply with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department
regarding nutrition and physical activity standards. (D/C)
1-B.4 Each public school district
shall comply with any requirements of the Arkansas Educational Support and
Accountability Act placed on the public school or public school district.
(D-S/C-P)
Standard 1-C Student Performance
1-C.1 Each public school district must comply
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department
regarding the statewide student assessment system. (D-S/C-P)
1-C.1.1 Each public school shall assess at
least 95% of its students on the annual statewide student assessment.
(S/C)
1-C.1.2 Selected
public schools shall participate in any and all components of the National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). (S/C)
1-C.2 Each
public school district shall adopt graduation requirements in accordance with
the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department and include
the graduation requirements in the student handbook. (D/P)
1-C.2.1 Each public school district shall
maintain accurate student records including graduation requirements.
(D/P)
1-C.2.2 For
graduation, students must have acquired a minimum of twenty-two (22) units of
credit as determined by the State Board of Education.
(S/P)
1-C.2.3
Beginning with 2018-2019, all students must pass the Arkansas civics exam with
a score of at least 60% in order to graduate. This requirement shall not apply
to those students exempt by law. (S/P)
Standard 2: Student Support
Services
The student support system of a public school district ensures
that all students have equitable access to opportunities and supports to meet
college, career and community readiness.
Standard 2-A Equitable Opportunities
2-A.1 All policies and actions of a school
district's board of directors shall be nondiscriminatory and shall be in
accordance with state and federal laws and the rules of the Department.
(D/P)
2-A.1.1 Each public
school district shall file an accurate and timely Equity Compliance Report by
October 15 of each year. (D/P)
2-A.3 The board of directors, administrators,
and employees of a public school district shall not knowingly authorize the
participation of students in events or activities held at a location where some
students would be excluded or not given equal treatment because of the
student's race, national origin, or ethnic background.
(D/P)
Standard 2-B Attendance and Enrollment
2-B.1 Each public school district board of
directors shall adopt a student attendance policy and include the attendance
policy in the student handbook. (D/C)
2-B.2 Each public school shall maintain
accurate student attendance records in a format prescribed by the Department.
(D/P)
2-B.3 Each
public school shall not admit any student who has not been age-appropriately
immunized as required by state and federal laws and rules.
(S/C)
Standard 2-C Student Support Services Plan
2-C.1 Each public school district shall
develop and implement a written plan for providing student services to all
students in the public school system in accordance with the laws of the State
of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. By August 1, the written plan
shall be posted on the district website under State - Required Information.
(D/C)
2-C.2 Each
public school district shall provide a developmentally appropriate guidance
program to aid students in educational, personal/social, and career
development. (D/C)
Standard 2-D Media Center for Student
Support
2-D.1 Each public
school district shall annually budget and expend sufficient resources to
purchase and maintain an appropriate balance of print, non-print, and
electronic media that is adequate in quality and quantity to meet the academic
standards for all students. (D/C)
Standard 2-E Health and Safety Services
2-E.1 Each public school district shall
provide a health services program under the direction of a licensed registered
nurse in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department. (D/C)
2-E.2 Each public school and public school
district shall maintain appropriate materials and expertise to reasonably
ensure the safety of students, employees, and visitors.
(D-S/C-P)
Standard 2-F Special Education Services
2-F.1 All public school district personnel,
teachers, and administrators must comply with the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA),
20 U.S.C. §
1400 et seq., its implementing regulations at
34 C.F.R. Part 300, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-101 et seq., the laws of the
State of Arkansas, and the rules of the Department. (D/C-P)
2-F.2 Each public school district
shall offer a full continuum of special education services as required by the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA),
20 U.S.C. §
1400 et seq., its implementing regulations at
34 C.F.R. Part 300, Ark. Code Ann. § 6-41-101 et seq., the laws of the
State of Arkansas, and the rules of the Department.
(D/C-P)
Standard 2-G Gifted and Talented Services
2-G.1 Each public school district shall
provide gifted and talented services in accordance with the laws of the State
of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
Standard 2-H Dyslexia Services
2-H.1 Each public school district shall
provide screening and intervention for dyslexia in accordance with the laws of
the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/P)
2-H.2 Each public school district
shall comply with the annual dyslexia reporting as required by Ark. Code Ann.
§
6-41-606.
(D/P)
Standard 2-I Alternative Education Services
2-I.1 Each public school district shall
provide appropriate alternative programs for students who are identified as
requiring such programs to continue their education.
(D/C)
Standard 2-J English Language Services
2-J.1 Each school shall conduct a home
language usage survey for each student upon the student's initial enrollment to
identify students that need to be screened for English for Speakers of other
Language Services. (S/C)
2-J.2 Each public school district shall offer
a Language Instruction Educational Program for identified English Learners in
accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department. (S/C)
Standard 3: District Operations and Fiscal
Governance
The district operations and fiscal governance system of a
public school district ensures alignment between resource allocation and
meeting the needs of each student's academic success and well-being.
Standard 3-A Operating Policies, Procedures, and
Training
3-A.1 Each public
school district board of directors shall adopt and update written policies for
the fiscal operation of the school district in accordance with the laws of the
State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. By August 1, the written
policies shall be posted on the district website under State - Required
Information. (D/C)
3-A.2 Each public school district shall adopt
written personnel policies, including the teacher salary schedule. By August 1,
the written policies shall be posted on the district website under State -
Required Information. (D/C)
3-A.3 Each public school district shall
submit accurate and timely reports deemed necessary to assure compliance with
federal and state law and the rules of the Department, as requested.
(D/C)
3-A.4 Each
public school district shall ensure compliance with the financial accounting
and reporting and annual training requirements required by the laws of the
State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
3-A.5 Each public school district
shall employ a general business manager responsible for the fiscal operations
of the school district. (D/C)
3-A.6 Each member of a public school district
board of directors shall receive annual training in accordance with the laws of
the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. A statement of the hours
of training and instruction received by each board member for the preceding
year shall be included in the annual school performance report required by the
laws of the State of Arkansas. (D/C)
3-A.7 Each public school district
superintendent shall file a written statement of assurance annually by October
1 in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department. (D/C)
3-A.8 Except where otherwise allowed by law,
each public school district shall comply with the Standards for Accreditation
without using national school lunch categorical funds. (D/C)
3-A.9 By August 1, each public
school district shall post all student handbooks on the district website under
State - Required Information. (D/C)
3-A.10 Each public school district which has
not obtained full and complete unitary status and has not been released from
court supervised desegregation obligations shall seek to obtain a declaration
of full and complete unitary status and release from all court supervision from
the federal courts. (D/P)
3-A.10.1 Beginning September 15 of each year,
any public school district identified in Section 3-A.10 shall submit written
quarterly reports to the Department detailing the district's outstanding
desegregation obligations and the district's efforts towards obtaining full
unitary status and release from court supervision. The detailed plan shall
include the district's progress towards meeting its obligations and timelines
for reaching a determination of full unitary status and release from court
supervision.
3-A.10.2 If the
Department is unable to verify the public school district's efforts to comply
with the submitted detailed plan required by these Rules, the Department shall
recommend to the State Board of Education whether the public school district
should be placed on Accredited - Probation status in accordance with these
Rules.
Standard 3-B School-level Improvement Plans and
Reporting
3-B.1 Each public
school in Arkansas shall develop, with appropriate staff and community
participation, a school-level improvement plan. School goals shall be
compatible with district, state and national educational goals and shall
address local needs in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and
the rules of the Department. The school-level improvement plans must be
approved by the district and school board and posted to the district website
under State - Required Information by August 1. (D/C)
3-B.2 By October 15, each public
school district board of directors shall systematically and, at least annually,
explain its policies, programs, and goals to the community in a public meeting
that provides opportunities for parents and other members of the community to
ask questions and make suggestions concerning the school program in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. The
report shall detail the progress of the district and schools toward
accomplishing program goals, accreditation standards, and proposals to correct
deficiencies. The report shall be made available to the public and the public
shall be notified of the meeting. (D/C)
3-B.2.1 The annual report to the public shall
be posted on the district website under State - Required Information no later
than 10 days after the public meeting is held. (D/C)
Standard 3-C Maintenance of Records and
Reports
3-C.1 Each public
school and public school district shall develop and implement a records
retention policy that retains all reports and records necessary for effective
planning, operation, and education in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
3-C.2 Each public school and public school
district shall maintain permanent student records in accordance with the laws
of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department.
(D/C)
Standard 3-D Food Service
3-D.1 Each public school district shall
provide food services in accordance with federal and state laws and the rules
of the Department. (D/C)
Standard 4: Human
Capital
The human capital system of a public school district ensures
recruitment, retention, and development of effective educators and support
personnel to meet the needs of the whole child.
Standard 4-A Background Checks
4-A.1 Each public school district shall not
employ personnel, whether licensed or non-licensed, who have not successfully
completed background checks in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C-P)
Standard 4-B Superintendent
4-B.1 Each public school district shall
employ a full-time superintendent to oversee all operations of the public
school district. (D/P)
4-B.2 Each public school district
superintendent shall meet the licensure requirements in accordance with the
laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department unless the public
school district has an approved waiver in accordance with the laws of the State
of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
Standard 4-C Principals
4-C.1 Each public school shall employ at
least a half-time principal. A full-time principal shall be employed when a
public school's enrollment reaches three hundred (300). A public school
district superintendent may be permitted to serve as a half-time principal when
district enrollment is less than 300 providing the superintendent is
appropriately certified and is not already teaching classes. Schools with an
enrollment exceeding five hundred (500) shall employ at least one full-time
principal and a half-time assistant principal, instructional supervisor, or
curriculum specialist. (D/P)
4.C-2 Each public school district shall
employ public school principals that meet the licensure requirements in
accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department unless the public school district has an approved waiver in
accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department. (D/C)
Standard 4-D Teachers
4-D.1 Each public school district shall
employ classroom teachers that meet the licensure requirements in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department or are
teaching under an approved waiver in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
4-D.2 Each public school district shall not
employ an individual, including as a substitute teacher whether directly
employed by the school or through a teaching services contract, whose license
has been suspended or revoked by the State Board of Education for a
disqualifying offense or those, licensed or unlicensed individuals, who have
been sanctioned for an ethical violation in accordance with the laws of the
State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
4-D.3 Each public school district
must comply with the Right to Read Act, codified in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-17-429, with regards to the
hiring of teachers who demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and practices of
scientific reading instruction. (D/P)
Standard 4-E Guidance Counselors
4-E.1 Each public school district shall
employ guidance counselors that meet the licensure requirements in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department or are
working under an approved waiver in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Department. (D/C)
4-E.2 Each public school district shall have
a student/guidance counselor ratio of no more than one to 450 students.
(D/P)
Standard 4-F Library Media Specialists
4-F.1 Each public school district shall
employ library media specialists that meet the licensure requirements in
accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Department or are working under an approved waiver in accordance with the laws
of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department.
(D/C)
4-F.2
Public schools with fewer than three hundred (300) students shall employ at
least one half-time library media specialist. Public schools with three hundred
(300) or more students shall employ at least one full-time library media
specialist. Schools enrolling fifteen hundred (1,500) or more students shall
employ at least two full-time library media specialists.
(S/P)
Standard 4-G Professional Development
4-G.1 Teachers and administrators must comply
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department
regarding professional development. (D-S/C)
4-G.2 Each public school district shall
provide professional development in scientific reading instruction in
compliance with the Right to Read Act, codified in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-17-429.
(D/P)
Standard 5: Stakeholder Communication /
Family and Community Engagement
The stakeholder communication / family and community engagement
system of a public school district ensures stakeholders are engaged in
meaningful communication to provide an effective learning experience for each
student.
Standard 5-A Comprehensive Plan for Communication and
Engagement
5-A.1 Each public
school district shall have a written plan for parent, family, and community
engagement, including the scheduling of at least two (2) parent-teacher
conferences each year, in accordance with the laws of the State of Arkansas and
the rules of the Department. By October 1, the plan shall be posted on the
district website under State - Required Information.
(D/C)
Standard 6: Facilities and
Transportation
The facilities and transportation system of a public school
district ensures a quality learning environment for Arkansas students.
Standard 6-A Facilities and Equipment
6-A.1 Each public school district shall plan,
construct, and maintain school facilities in accordance with federal laws, the
laws of the State of Arkansas, and the rules of the Arkansas Division of Public
School Academic Facilities and Transportation. (D/C)
6-A.2 Each public school districts
shall adopt and implement school safety policies and procedures in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Department.
(D/P)
