The proposed bill mandates that private schools in Arkansas administer an annual statewide student assessment and requires them to admit any student who applies for admission and intends to use state funding for associated costs. The bill amends existing laws to include private schools in the statewide assessment system, ensuring they report student assessment results to parents or guardians. It also specifies that private schools must cover the costs of administering these assessments entirely on their own.

Additionally, the bill establishes that private schools must admit students who apply and intend to use state funds, with exceptions only if the school has reached its maximum capacity as defined by federal or state regulations. Private schools receiving state funds are required to report their capacity for the upcoming school year to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education by May 31. The bill further clarifies the definition of "state funds" to include various state-funded programs that support students attending private schools.

Statutes affected:
HB 1542: 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)