The bill proposes the repeal of the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act and amends existing laws regarding student transfers between public schools and school districts. It removes section 6-18-227, which defined the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act and its purpose of enhancing educational opportunities through a public school choice program. The bill aims to streamline the transfer process for students from underperforming schools to those meeting performance standards, while also amending the Public School Choice Act of 2015 to emphasize parental options for school attendance, particularly in districts needing intensive support.

Key amendments include the requirement for resident districts to notify receiving districts about students with expulsion histories, the delegation of transfer petition approvals to superintendents or board members, and the establishment of criteria for denying transfers based on capacity or disciplinary issues. The bill also clarifies definitions related to the Public School Choice Act, extends the application deadline from May 1 to June 1, and allows parents of students in underperforming schools to apply for transfers to better-performing schools. Additionally, it mandates that school districts adopt policies to inform parents about the program and ensures that students with disabilities remain eligible for services while participating in the school choice program.

Statutes affected:
SB 482: 6-18-227, 6-15-2913, 6-15-2915, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-18-1901, 25-15-201, 6-22-101, 6-18-316(a), 6-18-316(c), 6-18-316, 6-18-1901(a), 6-18-1902(2), 6-18-1902(5), 6-18-1903, 6-18-1906, 6-18-510, 6-18-1904, 6-18-206, 6-18-1905