SECTION 3.

Arkansas Code § 6-1-404(d), concerning meetings of the School Leadership Coordinating Council, is amended to read as follows:

(d)(1) The council shall meet at the times and places that the Chair of the School Leadership Coordinating Council deems necessary but no less than four (4) times per year.

(2) Seven (7) A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of transacting business.

(3) All actions of the council are by quorum.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 2 SECTION 4.

Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 11 is repealed.

Subchapter 11 — Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness 6-5-1101.

Legislative intent.

The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Public schools should help all students:

(A) Have the reading, writing, and mathematics skills needed to succeed in all first-year coursework in associate and baccalaureate degree programs in non-mathematics-based majors;

and (B) Be ready for as many career options as possible by having a base level of employability;

and (2) The development of college and career readiness standards should be undertaken as an integrative process among:

(A) The General Assembly;

(B) State agencies that regulate and support the public educational systems of the state;

(C) Kindergarten, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions;

and (D) The public.

6-5-1102.

Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness established — Membership — Meetings.

(a) This subchapter establishes the Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness to facilitate the collaboration of kindergarten, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational institutions in Arkansas in developing college and career readiness standards that align school curriculum and graduation standards with postsecondary education requirements and business community expectations for employability.

(b) The council shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows:

(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his or her designee;

(2) The Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education or his or her designee;

(3) The Director of the Division of Career and Technical Education or his or her designee;

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (4) The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission or his or her designee;

(5) The Director of the Division of Workforce Services or his or her designee;

(6) A president or chancellor of an Arkansas four-year institution of higher education or his or her designee, appointed annually by the Commissioner of the Division of Higher Education;

(7) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators or his or her designee;

(8) The Executive Director of Arkansas Community Colleges or his or her designee;

(9) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Education Association or his or her designee;

(10) The Executive Director of the Arkansas School Boards Association or his or her designee;

and (11) The President of the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas or his or her designee.

(c)(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education or his or her designee shall call the first meeting of the council and serve as chair for the first meeting.

(2) The first meeting shall occur within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this subchapter.

(d) At the first meeting of the council and annually thereafter, the voting members of the council shall elect one (1) member to serve as chair for one (1) year.

(e)(1) All members are voting members except the chair, who may vote only to break a tie vote.

(2) A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

(f) The council shall meet at least three (3) times in a calendar year.

(g) The Department of Education shall provide meeting space and staff for the council.

(h) Council members shall serve without pay and shall not receive expense reimbursement except from the agency or institution employing the member.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 2 6-5-1103.

Powers and duties.

(a) The Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness shall:

(1) Develop a unified strategy to:

(A) Reduce remediation rates among high school graduates entering postsecondary education by at least fifty percent (50%) by the year 2020;

and (B) Increase postsecondary graduation and completion rates;

(2)(A) Support college and career readiness standards that:

(i) Require higher performance levels than those currently required for high school graduation;

and (ii) Promote accelerated learning opportunities, including without limitation Advanced Placement courses, concurrent credit opportunities, and other accelerated opportunities with college or vocational-technical school assistance to ensure that all students have the skills to be successful in either employment or postsecondary education.

(B) College and career readiness standards shall be implemented with the understanding that until July 1, 2022, interim high school graduation standards may be used until the high school graduation standards adopted by the State Board of Education are equal to the college and career readiness standards;

(3) Develop a successful transition-to-work matrix that schools and students may use to help students develop employment skills;

(4) Develop guidelines for secondary school intervention programs and transitional courses;

(5) Develop guidelines for professional development for teachers of transitional courses and opportunities for collaboration among high school, vocational-technical school, and college faculty to ensure that transitional courses target gaps in students' college and career readiness skills;

and (6) Provide the reports required under this subchapter.

(b)(1) The council shall establish working groups of its members, or staff of the agencies or institutions employing the members, to direct the planning process and strategic implementation of its plans.

(2) The working groups shall:

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (A) Develop goals and action plans;

(B) Identify resources;

and (C) Determine expected outcomes to measure for each strategy promoting college and career readiness and postsecondary completion.

6 6-5-1104.

Reporting requirements.

(a) By June 30, 2014, the Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness shall:

(1) Develop a written plan to reduce remediation rates and increase postsecondary graduation rates, including without limitation:

(A) Annual goals;

(B) Action strategies;

(C) Assigned responsibilities for implementing strategies;

(D) Timelines;

and (E) Reporting mechanisms;

(2) Provide the written plan to:

(A) The House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education;

(B) The board of directors of each school district and open-enrollment charter school in this state;

and (C) The governing board of each state-supported institution of higher education in this state;

and (3) Encourage each school district board of directors and the governing board of each state-supported institution of higher education in the state to participate in the council's plan and to work collaboratively to reduce the remediation rates and further postsecondary graduation and completion rates.

(b) By June 30, 2015, and annually thereafter, the council shall report to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education:

(1) The progress of the council's work for the year;

and (2) Its recommendations, which may include without limitation proposals for legislative action.

SECTION 5.

Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 12 is amended to read as follows:

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 Subchapter 12 — Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated Learning 4 6-5-1201.

Established Definition.

There is established the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program.

As used in this subchapter, “accelerated learning” means an organized method of learning that enables a student to meet individual academic goals and graduation requirements while pursuing higher levels of skill development, including without limitation the following coursework:

(1) A College Board pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement course;

(2) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course;

(3) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education course;

(4) A concurrent credit course;

and (5) A substantively similar course or program approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

6-5-1202.

Purpose of Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning — Grant funding.

(a) The purpose of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning is to:

(1) Prepare more students for:

(A) Success in higher education;

(B) Postsecondary training;

and (C) Careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics High-wage, high-demand careers;

(2) Increase the number of students who graduate from institutions of higher education;

and (3) Support and enhance Advanced Placement accelerated learning initiatives already operating in the state.

(b)(1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide grant funding to organizations that implement measures to achieve the goals of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning as determined by the division.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (2) An organization that receives grant funding to implement the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program under this subchapter shall:

(A) Be affiliated with the National Math and Science Initiative;

and (B) Have demonstrated success with an Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program.

(3) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning may without limitation:

(A) Develop public-private partnerships to advance math and science learning opportunities;

(B) Generate revenue from public or private sector entities to support other opportunities;

or and (C) Accept grants, donations, gifts, or bequests.

(c) Grant funding provided by the division to an organization under this subchapter shall be used to:

(1) Support and enhance the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning;

(2) Pay for personal services and operating expenses required to carry out the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning;

and (3) Pay for technology, materials, assessments, and other resources used in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning.

6-5-1203.

Components and goals of Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning.

(a) The Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program Accelerated learning shall:

(1) Provide advanced placement accelerated learning content directors to work, mentor, and provide resources to advanced placement and pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers in the areas of:

(A) Mathematics;

(B) Science;

and (C) English;

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (2) Provide nationally recognized professional development for advanced placement and pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers that will enhance the knowledge and pedagogical skills of the teachers;

and (3) Develop and provide materials and resources for advanced placement and pre-advanced placement accelerated learning teachers.

(b) The overall goal of the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning is to:

(1) Increase the number of students enrolled in Advanced Placement accelerated learning mathematics, science, and English;

(2) Increase the number of students who score three (3) or more on Advanced Placement exams;

(3) Reduce the participation gaps and performance gaps in Advanced Placement classes between African-American, Hispanic, and Caucasian students;

(4) Help public high schools Ensure school districts develop strong and successful Advanced Placement programs accelerated learning for public high schools;

(5)(3) Enhance and augment Advanced Placement accelerated learning policies and initiatives in Arkansas;

(6)(4) Provide the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning in every public high school that elects to participate and strengthen its Advanced Placement program accelerated learning;

and (7) (5) Increase the number of students prepared to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields in higher education or related training and occupations.

6-5-1204.

Participation in Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning.

(a) An organization that receives grant funding to provide the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning shall publish a list of program fees on or before June 1 each year.

(b) A public high school is eligible to participate in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program accelerated learning.

(c)(1) A public high school that chooses to participate in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program school's accelerated 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 learning shall pay a participation and the required service fee determined by the organization.

(2) A public high school may choose either to participate fully in the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program or to participate on a limited basis, in which case the public high school shall pay a fee for each service the public high school elects to use.

8 6-5-1205.

Funding for accelerated learning.

(a) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, a school that is offering accelerated learning may be awarded a one-time equipment and instructional materials grant for providing an accelerated learning course.

(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability of funding, the state may pay in full or on a pro rata basis the cost of the accelerated learning test fees.

(c) The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 6.

Arkansas Code § 6-13-629(a)(3)-(5), concerning the training and instruction regarding interpretation of audit reports that school board of directors members must receive, is amended to read as follows:

(3)(A) The training and instruction required under this section shall include:

(i) Topics relevant to school laws and school operations;

(ii) The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the members of the a board of directors, including without limitation:

(a) Legal requirements, including without limitation:

(1) The items listed or required by the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee under § 6-1-101;

and (2) Other financial laws, rules, or federal regulations designated by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education;

(b) Role differentiation;

(c) Financial management, including without 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 limitation how to read and interpret an audit report;

and (d) Improving student achievement;

and (iii) Information regarding school safety and student discipline.

(B) The training or instruction on how to read and interpret an audit report required under subdivision (a)(3)(A)(ii)(c) of this section shall be conducted:

(i) By a person who:

(a) Is licensed to practice accounting by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy;

(b) Has prior experience in conducting a school district financial audit;

(c) Is not an employee of Arkansas Legislative Audit unless the training or instruction is conducted for the boards of directors of multiple school districts;

and (d) Is not the person conducting the annual audit or other financial audit of the school district unless the training or instruction is presented in a large group setting sponsored by a statewide or regional organization that is attended by multiple school districts;

(ii) Under the consultation or supervision of an individual who qualifies under subdivision (a)(3)(B)(i) of this section as part of a program that is provided:

(a) By an institution of higher education located in Arkansas;

or (b) From instruction sponsored or approved by the Department of Education;

or (c) By an in-service training conducted by or through the Arkansas School Boards Association;

and (iii) By electronic means or in person, or both.

(4) Hours of training and instruction obtained in excess of the minimum requirements each year may accumulate and be carried forward from year to year.

(5) This instruction may be received from an institution of higher education in this state, or from instruction sponsored or approved by the Department of Education, or by an in-service training program conducted by or through the Arkansas School Boards Association department.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 2 SECTION 7.

Arkansas Code § 6-13-808 is repealed.

6-13-808.

The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program.

(a) The Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program is hereby established and shall be administered by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education with the assistance of public school districts and education service cooperatives.

(b)(1) Pursuant to the provisions of this section, and to the extent sufficient funding is available, the following persons and public school districts may enter into an agreement to provide traveling teacher services for one (1) or more receiving school districts for one (1) or more courses required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts and any Advanced Placement courses required by § 6-16-1204:

(A) A traveling teacher who is appropriately licensed in Arkansas as a teacher and employed on a full-time equivalent basis by a host school district;

(B) A host school district that is an Arkansas public school district with a student population of eight thousand (8,000) students or fewer and that desires to provide traveling teacher services to a receiving school district;

and (C) A receiving school district that is a public school district other than the host school district and that desires to receive traveling teacher services.

(2) The parties shall enter into a written agreement, in the form established by the division, that shall include without limitation the following:

(A) That the traveling teacher is to provide professional teaching services to the receiving school district for one (1) or more required courses;

(B) The amount of the bonus to be provided to the traveling teacher under subdivision (c)(1)(A) of this section;

(C) For each course to be taught under the agreement:

(i) A description of the course;

(ii) The time and day for teaching each course;

and (iii) The exact location where the course will be taught;

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (D)(i) Whether the agreement is for a school semester or a school year.

(ii) No agreement shall be for a time period longer than a school year or shorter than a school semester;

(E)(i) That the receiving school district will reimburse the host school district for the time the traveling teacher is not working in the host school district.

(ii) The reimbursement shall be the receiving school district's pro rata share of the traveling teacher's time based on the hourly rate of the traveling teacher's contract with the host school district;

(F) That at all times during the period of the agreement, the traveling teacher is an employee of the host school district and is subject to the personnel policies and contractual obligations of the host school district;

and (G)(i) That sufficient time will be allowed for the traveling teacher to travel to and from the host school district and the receiving school district.

(ii) The division shall not approve an agreement under this section unless the agreement requires the traveling teacher to be physically present in the receiving school district while the traveling teacher is teaching any course specified in the agreement.

(3) The agreement shall be reviewed and approved by the division under subsection (f) of this section.

(c) To the extent the agreement is approved by the division:

(1)(A) Upon completion of the traveling teacher's services provided under the agreement and under the terms of the agreement, the host school district shall pay the traveling teacher, in addition to the amount required by the teacher's annual teacher's contract with the host school district a bonus of either:

(i) Two thousand dollars ($2,000) for a semester agreement;

or (ii) Four thousand dollars ($4,000) for a full school year agreement.

(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district for the amount of bonus paid to the traveling teacher;

and (2)(A) The host school district shall reimburse the traveling 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 teacher for expenses related to travel to and from a receiving school district at the appropriate state rate of reimbursement in existence and approved by the Department of Finance and Administration for the school year in which the traveling teacher's services are provided.

(B) The division shall reimburse the host school district for the amount of travel reimbursement paid by the host school district to the traveling teacher.

(d) Neither the division nor the State of Arkansas shall be obligated or liable to reimburse any bonus or travel expenses incurred under an agreement for traveling teacher services under this section if the division has not reviewed and approved the entire agreement.

(e) The division may, if feasible and if funding is available, establish an online registry of public school teachers willing to enter into an agreement for traveling teacher services under this section with information concerning the teacher's employing school district and any course the teacher is qualified to teach.

(f)(1) All proposed agreements among a host school district, a receiving school district, and a traveling teacher shall be submitted to the division by a date certain for review and approval by the division.

(2) The division shall review each agreement with all requisite authority to approve or deny the agreement based on the provisions of law, rule, availability of funding, and discretionary determination as to the best use of state resources and funding.

(3) The division shall endeavor to consider approval of an agreement to:

(A) Place a traveling teacher with a receiving school district to maximize the efficiency of the traveling teacher's service to both the host and receiving school districts;

and (B) Minimize the extent and duration of any travel required.

(g)(1) The division shall establish any rules and agreement forms necessary for the administration of the Arkansas Traveling Teacher Program.

(2) In establishing the rules, the division shall:

(A) Prioritize the approval of agreements for traveling teacher services based on subject-area course needs;

(B) Establish appropriate travel limitations;

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (C) Develop a method of equitable distribution of traveling teachers among the area's education service cooperatives;

and (D) Provide a means by which education service cooperatives may assist in facilitating traveling teachers.

(h) No provision of this section is intended or should be interpreted to waive any immunity or defense of the State of Arkansas or its various agencies, boards, or commissions and no person shall be deemed to have any legal entitlement, recourse, or cause of action against the State of Arkansas or its various agencies, boards, or commissions based on the terms, conditions, or provisions of this section.

(i) [Repealed.] SECTION 8.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-202(f)(21), concerning reporting of statutory requirements of accelerated learning by a superintendent, is amended to read as follows:

(21) Section 6-16-1201 et seq.

and § 6-5-1201 et seq.

concerning advanced placement and concurrent enrollment accelerated learning;

SECTION 9.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-214 is amended to read as follows:

6-15-214.

Advanced placement Accelerated learning course counted as core curriculum course taught.

(a) The purpose of this section is to assist small, rural public schools in providing students access to the most rigorous courses available if it is the desire of students to take advanced placement accelerated learning courses in the place of regular courses and, in doing so, to meet the requirements of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.

(b)(1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education acknowledges that the rigor and level of difficulty of advanced placement accelerated learning courses exceed the requirements of regular courses.

(2) Such rigor and level of difficulty are validated through the required advanced placement audit and advanced placement examinations All accelerated learning courses shall meet the approved program requirements.

(3) The State Board of Education may deny courses that do not meet the approved program requirements.

(c) The State Board of Education state board shall consider an 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 advanced placement accelerated learning course as being taught for one (1) of the required courses under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts if:

(1) The public school district has a qualified teacher for the required course;

(2) No students enrolled in the required course;

(3) An advanced placement accelerated learning course in the same subject area as the required course has students enrolled in the advanced placement accelerated learning course;

(4) The public school district teaches all other courses required by the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts;

and (5)(A) The public school district teaches the required course to any student who enrolls in the public school district after the school year begins.

(B) The public school district may teach the required course to a new student:

(i) In a traditional classroom setting;

(ii) Through distance learning with a qualified teacher;

or (iii) By modifying the advanced placement accelerated learning course on an individual level to accommodate the new student.

(d)(1) The public school district shall notify the division after registration in the spring before the beginning of the new school year and immediately after the school year begins if no students enrolled in the required course and the public school district will seek to meet the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts using the advanced placement accelerated learning course.

(2) Upon receiving the public school district notification and after spring registration, the division shall permit the public school district to meet the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts by teaching the advanced placement accelerated learning course in place of the required course.

(e) If a new student enrolls in the required course, the public school district shall immediately notify the division.

(f) The division shall establish procedures to ensure that no student 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 is coerced into taking an advanced placement accelerated learning course for the purpose of meeting the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts.

5 SECTION 10.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-215 is repealed.

6-15-215.

The Arkansas Smart Core Incentive Funding Program — Definitions.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) The skills and knowledge gained through Arkansas's Smart Core curriculum provide the academic foundation required for high school graduates to succeed in their first year of college or in a job that promises a well-paying career track;

and (2) School districts should encourage all students who are capable of completing the Smart Core curriculum to do so.

(b) As used in this section:

(1) “Eligible high school” means each public high school in a school district that meets the criteria to receive incentive funding under subsection (f) of this section and the program rules adopted under this section by the State Board of Education;

(2) “Smart Core” means the curriculum established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts that is part of Smart Future, a state initiative focused on improving Arkansas public high schools for all students;

and (3) “Smart Core graduate” means a student who graduated from an Arkansas public high school after having successfully completed the Smart Core curriculum.

(c) The Arkansas Smart Core Incentive Funding Program is established to provide a financial incentive to:

(1) Assist with a public high school's efforts to encourage public high school students to complete the Smart Core curriculum;

(2) Promote programs that contribute to student success, including without limitation:

(A) Tutoring;

(B) Quality after-school and summer programs that may include literacy, math, and science specialists in elementary school;

and 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (C) Professional development for mathematics, science, literacy, foreign language, and Advanced Placement instruction;

and (3) Provide support to school counselors to improve student services.

(d)(1)(A) A school district that receives incentive funding under this section shall provide the incentive funding to each eligible high school in the school district.

(B) The eligible high school shall spend the incentive funding only for the purposes identified in subsection (c) of this section.

(2) A school district that receives incentive funding under the program shall not use the incentive funding to provide increases to the salary schedule of the school district.

(e)(1) Subject to an appropriation and available funding for the program, the division shall pay incentive funding to a school district under this section based on an annual percentage of Smart Core graduates from a public high school in the school district.

(2)(A) The division shall make the calculation based on a student record analysis conducted annually by the division beginning with the graduating class of 2010.

(B) The division shall exclude from the student record analysis a student with an individualized education program that does not require the student to complete the Smart Core curriculum.

(f)(1) By June 30 of each year, the division shall pay to a school district incentive funding under the program as follows:

(A) If one hundred percent (100%) of a public high school's graduates in the immediately preceding school year completed the Smart Core curriculum, the school district where the public high school is located shall receive one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per Smart Core graduate;

(B) If at least ninety-five percent (95%) but less than one hundred percent (100%) of a public high school's graduates in the immediately preceding school year completed the Smart Core curriculum, the school district where the public high school is located shall receive one hundred dollars ($100) per Smart Core graduate;

and (C) If at least ninety percent (90%) but less than ninety- five percent (95%) of a public high school's graduates in the immediately 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 preceding school year completed the Smart Core curriculum, the school district where the public high school is located shall receive fifty dollars ($50.00) per Smart Core graduate.

(2) The division shall not pay incentive funding to a school district for a public high school in which less than ninety percent (90%) of its graduates complete the Smart Core curriculum.

(3) If a public high school's graduation rate falls below the average graduation rate for the public high school for the previous three (3) school years, the school district is not eligible to receive the full incentive award under the program for the public high school.

(g) Participation in the program is voluntary.

(h) This section is effective from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2020.

SECTION 11.

Arkansas Code §§ 6-15-901 and 6-15-902 are amended to read as follows:

6-15-901.

Definition.

For the purposes of this subchapter, “advanced placement course accelerated learning” means a course of instruction that qualifies for college credit and that is approved for credit as a high school course by the State Board of Education an organized method of learning that enables a student to meet individual academic goals and graduation requirements while pursuing higher levels of skill development, including without limitation the following coursework:

(1) A College Board pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement course;

(2) An International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme course;

(3) A Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education course;

(4) A concurrent credit course;

and (5) A substantively similar course or program approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

6-15-902.

Grading scale — Exemptions — Special education classes.

(a) The following grading scale shall be used by all public secondary schools in the state for all courses, except Advanced Placement accelerated 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 learning courses, and approved courses for weighted credit, and courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

(1) A = 90-100;

(2) B = 80-89;

(3) C = 70-79;

(4) D = 60-69;

and (5) F = 59 and below.

(b)(1) Each letter grade shall be given a numeric value for the purpose of determining grade average.

(2) Except for Advanced Placement accelerated learning courses, and approved courses for weighted credit, courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and honors courses, the numeric value for each letter grade shall be:

(A) A = 4 points;

(B) B = 3 points;

(C) C = 2 points;

(D) D = 1 point;

and (E) F = 0 points.

(c)(1) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules for accelerated learning and approved courses for weighted credit that address the following:

(A) Adopt appropriate equivalents for advanced placement and college courses;

and (B) Recommend a uniform grading structure for honors courses.

(2) Weighted credit shall be allowed for advanced placement courses and courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme if:

(A) The student takes the entire Advanced Placement course or the entire course offered in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in a particular subject;

(B) The student completes the applicable test offered by the College Board for advanced placement courses at the end of the advanced placement course or the applicable test offered by the International Baccalaureate at the time prescribed by the organization;

and (C)(i) A teacher of an advanced placement course meets 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 Arkansas teacher licensure requirements and:

(a) Attends at least one (1) of the following trainings no less than one (1) time every five (5) years:

(1) College Board Advanced Placement Summer Institute;

(2) College Board-endorsed training;

or (3) Other similarly rigorous training approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education;

or (b) Completes an additional training plan for Advanced Placement within three (3) years of commencing the additional training plan;

or (ii) A teacher of a course offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme meets Arkansas teacher licensure requirements and attends the training required by the International Baccalaureate Standards;

(B) Grading scales;

(C) A numeric value for the purpose of determining grade average;

and (D) Weight given to the numeric value as provided in subdivision (b)(2) of this section.

(3)(2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may shall approve a course for weighted credit if the course:

(A) Exceeds the curriculum standards for a nonweighted credit class;

or (B) Meets or exceeds the standards of a comparable advanced placement class accelerated learning course;

or (C) Is identified by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education as an honors class.

(4)(A)(3)(A) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Division of Career and Technical Education may approve a career and technical course within an approved career and technical pathway for weighted credit if the course:

(i) Exceeds the curriculum standards for a nonweighted class;

and (ii) Leads to an approved industry-recognized certification or concurrent credit.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 (B) The Division of Career and Technical Education shall:

(i) Review new and existing career and technical pathways to determine which courses within the career and technical pathways meet criteria for weighted credit;

and (ii) Publish a list of approved career and technical pathways annually by January 1.

(C) Criteria used to determine what courses within a career and technical pathway shall receive weighted credit shall include without limitation the consideration of career and technical pathways that:

(i) Lead to high-value industry credentials;

and (ii) Align to state and local workforce data.

(D) Weighted credit awarded under subdivision (c)(4)(A) (c)(3)(A) of this section shall be awarded for each course upon:

(i) Completing the relevant career and technical pathway;

and (ii) Earning the high-value industry credential aligned with the career and technical pathway.

(5)(A) A local school district board of directors may adopt a policy to allow high school students in the public school district to take college courses for weighted credit equal to the numeric grade awarded in Advanced Placement courses, courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and honors classes.

(B)(i) If a local school district board of directors adopts a policy under subdivision (c)(5)(A) of this section, the school district shall apply to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval.

(ii) An application under subdivision (c)(5)(B)(i) of this section shall be reviewed for approval to assign a numeric grade value, which may include weighted credit, based on the following:

(a) A letter from the superintendent of the public school district or principal of the public school describing how the course exceeds expectations for coursework required under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts;

and (b) The grade level or levels of public school students who will be enrolled in the course.

(d) A public school district may use the grading scale in this section 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 in the public school district's elementary schools.

(e) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may promulgate rules to implement this section.

5 SECTION 12.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-1004(b)(2)(C), concerning the continuing education and professional development requirement under the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts, is amended to read as follows:

(C) For purposes of the requirement for continuing education and professional development under this section, each hour of training received by licensed personnel related to teaching an advanced placement class for a subject covered by the College Board and Educational Testing Service accelerated learning course shall be counted as professional development up to a maximum of thirty (30) hours.

SECTION 13.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-1301(b)(1), concerning the membership of the Safe Schools Committee under the Safe Schools Initiative Act, is amended to read as follows:

(b)(1) The Safe Schools Committee shall be composed of the following individuals and stakeholders deemed necessary and appointed by the Commissioner of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education:

(A) One (1) classroom teacher appointed by the Arkansas Education Association;

(B) Two (2) school administrators appointed by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators;

(C) Two (2) school district board members appointed by the Arkansas School Boards Association;

(D) A staff member of the division appointed by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education;

(E) A school safety specialist, employed by an Arkansas school district, appointed by the commissioner;

(F) One (1) school counselor appointed by the Arkansas Counseling Association;

(G) The Director of the Criminal Justice Institute and of the Arkansas Center for School Safety, or his or her designee;

(H) One (1) classroom teacher appointed by the Arkansas 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 State Teachers Association;

(I) The Director of the Division of Emergency Management, or his or her designee;

(J) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc., or his or her designee;

(K) A chief of police or a sheriff appointed by the commissioner;

(L) The Executive Director of the Arkansas Rural Ed Association, or his or her designee;

(M) The State Fire Marshal, or his or her designee;

(N) One (1) school psychologist appointed by the Arkansas School Psychology Association;

and (O) One (1) director of an Arkansas education service cooperative appointed by the commissioner.

SECTION 14.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-1303(d)(3)(A), concerning the provision of training and technical assistance under the Safe Schools Initiative Act, is amended to read as follows:

(3)(A) The Arkansas Center for School Safety of the Criminal Justice Institute shall be the state school safety clearinghouse and shall collaborate with the following entities to provide a comprehensive, efficient, and effective resource for education and law enforcement personnel to obtain training and technical assistance to meet the school safety needs of students in this state:

(i) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education;

(ii) The Safe Schools Committee established under this subchapter;

and (iii) The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators;

(iv) The Arkansas School Boards Association;

(v) Education service cooperatives;

(vi) The Division of Emergency Management;

(vii) The Arkansas Public School Resource Center, Inc.;

and (viii) Other key stakeholders.

03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 2 SECTION 15.

Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 15, Subchapter 21, is amended to add an additional section to read as follows:

6-15-2102.

Definition.

As used in this subchapter, "school" includes a public school within a traditional public school district and an open-enrollment public charter school.

9 SECTION 16.

Arkansas Code § 6-15-2108 is amended to read as follows:

6-15-2108.

School rating system.

(a) The school rating system shall be a multiple-measures approach that shall include without limitation:

(1) Academic achievement on the annual statewide student assessment;

(2) Student growth on the annual statewide student assessment;

and (3) School-level graduation rate or rates;

and (4) English-learner progress or growth in acquiring English.

(b) The school rating system shall consider without limitation at least one (1) or more of the following indicators:

(1) Closing the achievement gap;

(2) Academic growth of student subgroups, including without limitation economically disadvantaged students, students from major racial and ethnic groups, English learners, and students with disabilities;

(3) The percentage of the grade nine (9) cohort with on-time completion of credit attainment at the end of grade nine (9);

(4) Equity in resource allocation;

(5) The percentage of students who earn:

(A) Advanced placement credit;

(B) Concurrent credit;

(C) International Baccalaureate credit;

or (D) Industry-recognized certification that leads to articulated or concurrent credit at a postsecondary institution;

(6) Student access to multiple flexible learning continua, including but not limited to personalized, competency, or mastery learning;

(7) Student access to preschool offered by the public school 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 district;

(8) The proportional percentage of qualified educators who hold a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification or have an advanced degree beyond their bachelor's degree;

and (9) Public school district and community partnerships.

(c)(b) Indicators included or considered as part of the school rating system shall:

(1) Allow for meaningful differentiation in school performance;

and (2) Be valid, reliable, comparable, and applicable statewide.

(d)(c) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall:

(1) promulgate Promulgate rules to implement this section;

and (2) Develop a formula to determine a letter grade under § 6-15- 2105 for the following without limitation:

(A) A public school district;

and (B) An education service cooperative.

SECTION 17.

Arkansas Code § 6-16-140(a), concerning a certificate of attainment awarded to a student completing an approved vocational or technical career pathway or program of study at a public high school, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A student who successfully completes an approved vocational or technical career pathway or program of study at a public high school shall be awarded a certificate of attainment that shall be:

(1) Aligned in the appropriate career pathway or program of study;

and (2) Used for consideration of acceptance and advanced priority placement into an apprenticeship training program.

SECTION 18.

Arkansas Code § 6-16-148(a)(1), concerning the foundation of certain social studies or history courses offered in grades seven through twelve (7-12), is amended to read as follows:

(1) A social studies or history course conditioned upon knowledge of historical events from the colonial period to modern times of United States history for which graduation credit is or may be received, except for advanced placement courses 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 2 SECTION 19.

Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 16, Subchapter 8, is repealed.

Subchapter 8 — Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995 6-16-801.

Title.

This subchapter shall be known as and may be cited as the “Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program Act of 1995”.

6-16-802.

Purpose.

(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to serve as a legislative charter for the establishment, organization, and administration of a program designed to improve the course offerings available to middle school, junior high school, and high school students throughout the state.

(b) The program established under this subchapter will provide advanced educational courses that are easily accessible and that will prepare students for admission to and success in a postsecondary educational environment.

(c) A key component in the program is adequately preparing teachers and schools in providing advanced placement courses or courses offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme to their students.

6-16-803.

Definitions.

As used in this subchapter:

(1) “Advanced placement course” means a high school level preparatory course for a college advanced placement test that incorporates all topics specified by the College Board and Educational Testing Service on its standard syllabus for a given subject area and is approved by the College Board and Educational Testing Service;

(2) “College advanced placement test” means the advanced placement test administered by the College Board and Educational Testing Service;

(3) “College Board” means the College Board and Educational Testing Service;

(4) “International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme” means an 03-12-2025 10:50:08 CRH113 As Engrossed:

H3/6/25 H3/12/25 HB1512 international education program offered by the International Baccalaureate;

(5) “Preadvanced placement course” means a middle school, junior high school, or high school level course that specifically prepares students to enroll and participate in an advanced placement course;

(6) “Program” means the Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program;

and (7) “State board” means the State Board of Education.

9 6-16-804.

Established — Subsidies — Rules.

(a) The Arkansas Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Diploma Incentive Program is hereby established, to be administered by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

(b) Contingent upon legislative appropriations and based on criteria established by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, schools participating in the program may be awarded a one-time equipment and instructional materials grant for providing an advanced placement course or a course offered under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

(c) Subject to legislative appropriations, a teacher participating in the advanced placement program, in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, or in the preadvanced placement program may be awarded subsidized teacher training for advanced placement courses at a cost not to exceed six hundred fifty dollars ($650) per teacher.

(d)(1) Contingent upon legislative appropriation and the availability of funding, the state may pay in full, or on a pro rata basis as determined under subdivision (d)(2) of this section, the cost of the advanced placement test fee or the equivalent test fee under the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, or both.

(2) The State Board of Education may create a sliding scale based on family income.

(e) The state board is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to implement this subchapter.

6-16-805.