The bill mandates that private schools in Arkansas must administer an annual statewide student assessment and requires them to admit any student who applies for admission and intends to use state funding for their education. The bill amends existing laws to include private schools in the statewide assessment system, ensuring that they report student assessment results to parents or guardians and participate in the assessment process. Additionally, it specifies that any costs associated with administering the assessment must be covered entirely by the private schools themselves.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that private schools must admit students who apply and intend to use state funds, with provisions for reporting their capacity to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. It clarifies that private schools can only claim a lack of capacity to admit students if they have reached the maximum student-to-teacher ratio allowed by federal or state regulations. The bill also defines "state funds" to include various forms of financial assistance awarded to students, ensuring that private schools comply with these requirements if they accept state funding.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1204 Original - 1-24-2023 10:20 AM: 6-15-2006(a), 6-15-2907(a), 6-15-2907(d), 6-15-2907(h), 6-15-2907(i), 6-15-2907(l), 6-15-2907, 6-15-2909(a)
Old version HB1204 V2 - 2-13-2023 09:46 AM: 6-15-2006(a), 6-15-2907(a), 02-13-2023, 6-15-2907(d), 6-15-2907(h), 6-15-2907(i), 6-15-2907(l), 6-15-2907, 6-15-2909(a)
Old version HB1204 V3 - 3-13-2023 09:37 AM: 6-15-2006(a), 6-15-2907(a), 03-13-2023, 6-15-2907(d), 6-15-2907(h), 6-15-2907(i), 6-15-2907(l), 6-15-2907, 6-15-2909(a)
HB 1204: 6-15-2006(a), 6-15-2907(a), 03-13-2023, 6-15-2907(d), 6-15-2907(h), 6-15-2907(i), 6-15-2907(l), 6-15-2907, 6-15-2909(a)