TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

School districts can choose alternative learning programs

Arkansas school districts are no longer required to offer alternative learning environments, but can provide one or more. Districts can run programs themselves, work with other districts, or use an education service cooperative's program. They can also partner with state-supported colleges and technical institutes to offer concurrent courses or technical education in grades 8–12. Districts offering these programs must include placement rules in their discipline policies for students with discipline, social, or behavior problems. Those problems must be unrelated to a physical or mental impairment or disability; no particular student's placement is required. These districts must also have procedures for responding to school safety and crisis-line reports. Each year, they must report students' race and gender, other information required by state rules, and a statement confirming compliance. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education receives these reports and sets minimum eligibility criteria.