This bill amends Arkansas Code 6-23-306 to grant open-enrollment public charter schools the authority to implement weighted admission lotteries at their discretion. The amendments specify that these schools may use a weighted lottery not only to comply with federal laws regarding civil rights and desegregation but also to increase the chances of admission for specific groups of students, including those eligible for national school lunch programs, English-language learners, students with disabilities, and those currently enrolled in schools classified as being in academic distress.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection that allows open-enrollment public charter schools to have complete control over the structure, format, and operation of their weighted lotteries. It also permits these schools to delegate the management of the weighted lottery to the Department of Education if they choose to do so. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the flexibility and autonomy of charter schools in their admission processes while ensuring compliance with relevant legal standards.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB303 Original - 2-21-2023 01:18 PM: 6-23-306, 6-23-306(6), 6-23-306(14)
SB 303: 6-23-306, 6-23-306(6), 6-23-306(14)