All Roll Calls
Yes: 322 • No: 0
ArkansasHB18122025 Regular SessionHouse
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST; AND TO AMEND THE SCORE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GED TEST.
Sponsored By: Zack Gramlich (Republican), Justin Boyd (Republican)
Enacted
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Children with GEDs can leave school
Arkansas children who have received a GED are exempt from the school attendance requirement. The exemption also covers children with a high school diploma or an equivalent credential approved by the State Board of Education. Taking the GED test alone does not qualify a child for this exemption.
Public school students gain GED access
Arkansas public school students age 16 or older can take the GED test without school district permission. Private and religious school students age 16 or older must provide a school letter confirming enrollment. Home-school students age 16 or older must provide a notarized copy of their notice of intent to home school. All these students must meet the minimum official GED practice test scores required by the Adult Education Section.
Schools stop counting GED passers as dropouts
Arkansas public school districts do not count students who pass a GED test as dropouts in their five-year graduation rates. The State Board of Education can also consider graduation rates, student growth, and performance across schools that feed into one another. These factors help the board determine a district's level of support, alongside other signs of school success.
Adult education entry rules for teens
Private, religious, and home-school students ages 16 and 17 must apply to enter an adult education program. Private and religious school students must provide a letter from their principal or administrator confirming enrollment. They must meet an Adult Education Section score requirement on the Test for Adult Basic Education or GED practice test. Home-school students must provide a notarized copy of their notice of intent to home school. The law replaces fixed test-score thresholds with scores set by the Adult Education Section.
Youth Challenge students lose attendance exemption
The law removes Arkansas National Guard Youth Challenge Program enrollment as a reason for an attendance exemption at age 16 or older. Students age 16 or older enrolled in a qualifying adult education program remain exempt. Youth Challenge enrollment alone no longer provides this exemption.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Zack Gramlich
Republican • House
Justin Boyd
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 2:49:18 PM
Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2
House vote • 4/15/2025
House Vote - Tuesday, April 15, 2025 2:48:18 PM
Yes: 95 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:46:35 PM
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2025
House Vote - Wednesday, April 2, 2025 3:06:54 PM
Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Notification that HB1812 is now Act 918
4/21/2025HouseCorrectly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
4/16/2025HouseTO BE ENROLLED
4/15/2025HouseSenate amendment # 2 read and concurred in.
4/15/2025HouseSenate amendment # 1 read and concurred in.
4/15/2025HouseReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it do pass, concur in Senate Amendment No. 1
4/14/2025HouseRe-referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
4/10/2025HouseReturned from Senate as passed, as amended # 1 & 2
4/10/2025HouseReturned to the House as passed as amended # 1 & 2 .
4/9/2025SenateRead the third time and passed.
4/9/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/9/2025SenateREPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED
4/9/2025SenateAmendment # 1 & 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on second reading for purpose of amendment.
4/9/2025SenateRules suspended.
4/9/2025SenateReturned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 1 & 2
4/9/2025SenateRead first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE
4/2/2025SenateReceived from the House.
4/2/2025SenateRead the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/2/2025HouseReturned by the Committee Do Pass
4/1/2025HouseRead the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE
3/17/2025HouseFiled
3/17/2025House
Bill Text
HB1812 - Introduced
3/17/2025
Act Version
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