ARKANSAS DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION RULES
GOVERNING STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION OF ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL
DISTRICTS
Effective Date: July 1, 2020
1.00
REGULATORY
AUTHORITY
1.01 These rules
shall be known as the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
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, 6-15-208, 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
"Division" means the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education of the
Arkansas Department of Education.
3.05 "Public school" means:
3.05.1 A school operated by a public school
district; or
3.05.2 An
open-enrollment public charter school, as defined in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-23-103.
3.06 "Public
school district" means:
3.06.1 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:
3.06.1.1 Governed
by an elected board of directors; or
3.06.1.2 Under the administrative control of
the State Board or the Commissioner of Education in place of an elected board
of directors; or
3.06.2
An open-enrollment public charter school, as defined in Ark. Code Ann. §
6-23-103.
3.07
"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 Division of Elementary and Secondary
Education.
3.08 "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 Division 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
Division.
The review process shall include:
4.01 Public notice ofthe intent to review the
Standards. Public notice may include notice of intent provided at a State Board
meeting, on the Division website, by Commissioner's Memo, or Division social
media;
4.02 Organization of a
committee consisting of Arkansas educators, administrators, and other
stakeholders to review and provide feedback to Division staff regarding the
Standards for Accreditation, particularly the Standards 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 Division staff;
4.04 Submission of the revised Standards for
Accreditation for review by the State Board of Education and consideration for
release for public comment;
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 make necessary revisions.
4.07 Submit Standards for Accreditation to
the Board for approval.
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 ("5/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 Division 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 Division shall annually review all
public school and public school district accreditation reports.
7.04.2 The Division shall:
7.04.2.1 Investigate any suspected
deficiencies in meeting the Standards for Accreditation.
7.04.2.2 Investigate all written complaints
alleging violations of the Standards for Accreditation received by the
Division.
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 Division 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 Division, 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 At any time but no later than May 1,
the Division 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 Division 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 at any time 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 Division within
fifteen calendar (15) days of notification of the violation.
8.02 The Division will review the submitted
documentation and respond in writing with the length of time that will be
allowed for correction of the deficiency.
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, Accredited - Cited, or Accredited -Probation. An identification as
Accredited - Cited or Accredited - Probation 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 Division, 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 Division 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 is
identified as Accredited - Probation for failing 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 Accept a corrective action plan to
address the violations of the Standards for Accreditation and 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
Division 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 fifteen (15) calendar
days.
10.02 The following
procedures shall apply to State Board of Education hearings in which the public
school district believes the Division 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 Division 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 Division, 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 Division 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 Unless the timeline is waived by the
Commissioner based on emergency circumstances, 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.
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, and
following procedures in 10.02 of these rules, 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
Division. 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 Fine
Arts;
1-A.1.2.6 Health and Safety
and Physical Education; and
1-A.1.2.7 Career and Technical
Education.
1-A.1.2.8 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.1.2.9
Upon approval by the Division, 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. The list of courses, approved by the
State Board of Education for each content area, is posted annually on the
Division website.
(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 ½
units;
1-A.1.3.7 Social Studies - 4
units;
1-A.1.3.8 Health and Safety
Education and Physical Education -1 ½ 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 Division.
(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 high school 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
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.4 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 Division. By August 1,
the school calendar shall be posted on the district website under State -
Required Information.
(D/C)
1-A.4.1 Each public school shall provide a
minimum of 178 days of student-teacher interaction time.
(S/P)
1-A.4.2
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.4.3 At
least forty (40) minutes of instructional time per school day shall be used for
recess for students attending public elementary schools, in accordance with the
Division's nutrition and physical activity standards.
1-A.5 Each public school district shall
comply with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division
regarding class size and teaching load. (D/P)
1-A.6 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 Division. (D/P)
1-A.7 The district shall provide 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 Division. 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 Division
regarding nutrition and physical activity standards.
(D/C)
1-B.3.1 Each public school and public school
district shall develop and implement a written health and wellness plan that
must be submitted annually to the Division by October 1.
(D-S/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/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 Division regarding
the statewide student assessment system.
(D/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 Division 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 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)
1-C.2.4
Beginning with the freshman class of 2017-2018, students in grades nine through
twelve (9-12) must earn credit in a course that meets personal and family
finance standards to graduate. (S/P)
1-C.2.5 Students in grades nine through
twelve (9-12) must complete at least one digital course for credit to graduate.
(S/P)
1-C.2.6
Students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) shall be trained in quality
psychomotor skill bases in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to graduate.
(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 Division.
(D/P)
2-A.1.1 Each public
school district shall file an accurate and timely Equity Compliance Report by
October 15 as part of the cycle 2 submission.
(D/P)
2-A.2 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, disability, sex, 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 Division.
(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 unless the student
has an exemption. By December 1, the school must post the required exemption
report pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-702 on the district website under
State -Required Information. (S/C)
Standard 2-C Comprehensive School Counseling Plan
2-C.1 Each public school district shall
develop and implement a written plan for providing comprehensive school
counseling services to all students in the public school system in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division. 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
Division. (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/C)
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 Division.
(D/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 Division.
(D/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 Division. (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 Division.
(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 2-1 Alternative Education Services
2-1.1 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 Learner Services
2-J.1 Each public school district 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. (D/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
Division. (D/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 Division. 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 salary schedules for the licensed and
classified staff. 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
Division, as requested. (D/C)
3-A.4 Each public school district shall
ensure compliance with the Arkansas Public School Computer Network ("APSCN")
reporting and annual training requirements required by the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Division. (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 Division. 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
Division. (D/C)
3-A.8 Except where otherwise allowed by law,
each public school district shall comply with the Standards for Accreditation
without using enhanced student achievement funding.
(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 Division 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
Division is unable to verify the public school district's efforts to comply
with the submitted detailed plan required by these Rules, the Division 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 Division. 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 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 Division. 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 Division. (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 Division.
(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 Division. (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 Division. (D/C)
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 Division unless the public
school district has a licensure exception in accordance with the laws of the
State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division.
(D/C)
Standard 4-C Principals and other Building and
District Administrators
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 Division
unless the public school district has a licensure exception in accordance with
the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the
Division.(D/C)
4-C.3 Each public school district shall
register with the Division any building or district level administrator, with
the exception of the superintendent, that is in his or her first year of
employment as an administrator and ensure these administrators receive
mentoring support for their first three years. (D/C)
4-C.A
At least
once every four years, the district shall report in the state approved platform
a summative rating for each building and district level administrator, with the
exception of the superintendent. (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 Division or are
teaching under a licensure exception in accordance with the laws of the State
of Arkansas and the rules of the Division. (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 Division. (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, regarding the hiring of teachers who demonstrate proficiency in
knowledge and practices of scientific reading instruction.
(D/P)
4-D.4 Each
public school district shall register with the Division any teacher that is in
his or her first year of employment as a teacher and ensure these teachers
receive mentoring support for their first three years. (D/C)
4-D.5 At least once every four
years, the district shall report in the state approved platform a summative
rating for each teacher. (D/C)
Standard 4-E School Counselors
4-E.1 Each public school district shall
employ school counselors that meet the licensure requirements in accordance
with the laws of the State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division or are
working under a licensure exception in accordance with the laws of the State of
Arkansas and the rules of the Division. (D/C)
4-E.2 Each public school district shall have
a student/school counselor ratio of no more than one to 450 students.
(D/P)
4-E.3 Each
public school district shall allot sufficient time for each school counselor to
carry out the duties stated in the comprehensive school counseling plan,
pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-2004. (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 Division
or are working under a licensure exception in accordance with the laws of the
State of Arkansas and the rules of the Division.
(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 Division regarding
professional development. (D/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 Division. By August 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 Division.
(D/P)