This bill amends the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act to create exceptions to school attendance requirements for students who take and pass the GED test. Specifically, it stipulates that a student who passes the GED will not be counted as a dropout when calculating a public school district's five-year graduation rate. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a child who receives a GED or high school diploma is not subject to the mandatory school attendance requirement.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for students aged sixteen and above who wish to enroll in adult education programs or take the GED test. It removes the necessity for public school students to obtain permission from school officials before taking the test and updates the score requirements for students enrolled in private or parochial schools. The amendments aim to streamline the process for students seeking alternative educational pathways while ensuring that their achievements are recognized in the state's educational metrics.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1812 V2 - 4-9-2025 02:12 PM: 6-15-2913(a), 6-18-201(a), 6-18-201(c), 6-18-201(d)
Old version HB1812 Original - 3-17-2025 01:41 PM: 6-15-2913(a), 6-18-201(a), 6-18-201(c), 6-18-201(d)
HB 1812: 6-15-2913(a), 6-18-201(a), 6-18-201(c), 6-18-201(d)
Act 918: 6-15-2913(a), 6-18-201(a), 6-18-201(c), 6-18-201(d)