The bill, HB1672, seeks to repeal the existing District of Innovation Program and amend various provisions of the Arkansas Code to create a more efficient framework for public schools of innovation. It removes 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 concerning the program, which encompasses definitions and regulations related to schools of innovation. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding charter schools and their authorizers, establishes a charter authorizing panel, and modifies teacher licensure exemptions to ensure waivers are applicable only under specific provisions, excluding those related to the now-repealed program.

Additionally, the bill outlines new requirements for public charter schools, including the necessity for local school district board approval and the retention of waivers for schools previously designated as schools of innovation until the end of their four-year approval cycle. It revises charter form requirements, mandates detailed reporting to authorizers, and establishes an expedited renewal process for high-performing charter schools. The bill also introduces more flexible enrollment policies, annual evaluations by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, and a new appeals process for adverse rulings from the charter authorizing panel, all aimed at enhancing accountability and operational clarity for public 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)