The bill seeks to repeal the existing District of Innovation Program and amend the Arkansas Code to create a more efficient framework for public schools of innovation. It removes all references to the District of Innovation Program from the Arkansas Public Education Act of 1997, including the entire subchapter dedicated to it. The bill also modifies provisions regarding teacher licensure exemptions, allowing teachers to be employed under the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013, but not under the repealed program. New definitions and clarifications are introduced concerning charter schools and their authorizers, including the establishment of a charter authorizing panel, with an emphasis on accountability and performance standards.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections related to public charter schools, including the application and authorization processes for conversion and open-enrollment public charter schools. It introduces an expedited renewal process for high-performing charter schools and allows for more flexible enrollment policies by removing the July 30 enrollment deadline. The structure of the charter authorizing panel is revised to include seven members, enhancing oversight and evaluation processes. Overall, these changes aim to improve accountability, operational clarity, and support for charter schools in Arkansas while ensuring compliance with educational standards.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1672 V2 - 3-31-2025 12:45 PM: 6-15-1004(c), 6-17-2803(16), 6-17-2808(a), 6-23-103, 03-31-2025, 6-23-701, 6-23-703, 6-15-2801, 6-23-201, 6-15-2101, 6-23-104, 6-23-404, 6-23-105(a), 6-23-105(d), 6-23-105(e), 6-23-107, 6-15-2901, 6-15-3002, 6-15-207(c), 6-15-429(a), 6-23-202, 6-23-301, 6-23-302(c), 6-23-303, 6-23-304(a), 6-23-304(c), 6-23-307, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-23-401(b), 6-23-402, 6-15-433, 6-23-405, 6-23-406, 6-23-701(b), 6-23-701(e)
Old version HB1672 V3 - 4-7-2025 10:32 AM: 6-15-1004(c), 6-17-2803(16), 6-17-2808(a), 6-23-103, 04-07-2025, 6-23-701, 6-23-703, 6-15-2801, 6-23-201, 6-15-2101, 6-23-104, 6-23-404, 6-23-105(a), 6-23-105(d), 6-23-105(e), 6-23-107, 6-15-2901, 6-15-3002, 6-15-207(c), 6-15-429(a), 6-23-202, 6-23-301, 6-23-302(c), 6-23-303, 6-23-304(a), 6-23-304(c), 6-23-307, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-23-401(b), 6-23-402, 6-15-433, 6-23-405, 6-23-406, 6-23-701(b), 6-23-701(e)
Old version HB1672 Original - 3-4-2025 02:59 PM: 6-15-1004(c), 6-17-2803(16), 6-17-2808(a), 6-23-103, 6-23-701, 6-23-703, 6-15-2801, 6-23-201, 6-15-2101, 6-23-104, 6-23-404, 6-23-105(a), 6-23-105(d), 6-23-105(e), 6-23-107, 6-15-2901, 6-15-3002, 6-15-207(c), 6-15-429(a), 6-23-202, 6-23-301, 6-23-302(c), 6-23-303, 6-23-304(a), 6-23-304(c), 6-23-307, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-23-401(b), 6-23-402, 6-15-433, 6-23-405, 6-23-406, 6-23-701(b), 6-23-701(e)
HB 1672: 6-15-1004(c), 6-17-2803(16), 6-17-2808(a), 6-23-103, 6-23-701, 6-23-703, 6-15-2801, 6-23-201, 6-15-2101, 6-23-104, 6-23-404, 6-23-105(a), 6-23-105(d), 6-23-105(e), 6-23-107, 6-15-2901, 6-15-3002, 6-15-207(c), 6-15-429(a), 6-23-202, 6-23-301, 6-23-302(c), 6-23-303, 6-23-304(a), 6-23-304(c), 6-23-307, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-23-401(b), 6-23-402, 6-15-433, 6-23-405, 6-23-406, 6-23-701(b), 6-23-701(e)
Act 800: 6-15-1004(c), 6-17-2803(16), 6-17-2808(a), 6-23-103, 04-07-2025, 6-23-701, 6-23-703, 6-15-2801, 6-23-201, 6-15-2101, 6-23-104, 6-23-404, 6-23-105(a), 6-23-105(d), 6-23-105(e), 6-23-107, 6-15-2901, 6-15-3002, 6-15-207(c), 6-15-429(a), 6-23-202, 6-23-301, 6-23-302(c), 6-23-303, 6-23-304(a), 6-23-304(c), 6-23-307, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-23-401(b), 6-23-402, 6-15-433, 6-23-405, 6-23-406, 6-23-701(b), 6-23-701(e)