The bill, HB1672, 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 and the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013, including the entire subchapter that defines and governs schools of innovation. The bill also modifies provisions related to teacher licensure exemptions, ensuring that teachers in public charter schools or districts with specific waivers are recognized under the Teacher Excellence and Support System.

Additionally, HB1672 introduces several amendments to the laws governing public charter schools, including the requirement for local school district boards and authorizers to approve charters, and clarifies definitions related to the charter process. It allows previously designated schools of innovation to retain their waivers until July 1, 2025, and establishes conditions for conversion public charter schools to maintain their waivers based on performance ratings. The bill outlines procedures for charter modifications and revocations, mandates detailed reporting to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, and introduces criteria for charter renewal based on academic and operational performance. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accountability, streamline governance, and provide flexibility in enrollment practices for charter schools in Arkansas.

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)