The bill seeks to repeal the existing District of Innovation Program laws 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 its definitions and operational provisions. The bill modifies licensure exemptions for teachers, allowing them to teach without full licensure under the Arkansas Quality Charter Schools Act of 2013, but eliminates previous exemptions tied to the District of Innovation Program. New definitions and governance structures for charter schools are introduced, including the establishment of a charter authorizing panel, with a focus on accountability and performance standards.

Additionally, the bill revises the charter application process, retention of waivers, and reporting requirements for public charter schools. It ensures that schools designated as schools of innovation retain their waivers until the end of their four-year approval cycle, with specific conditions for maintaining waivers based on performance ratings. The bill also outlines the procedures for charter renewal, emphasizing academic, financial, and operational performance, and introduces a structured appeal process for adverse rulings from authorizers. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance oversight, accountability, and educational standards within Arkansas's public charter school system.

Statutes affected:
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)
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)
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)