The bill amends provisions of the Arkansas Code regarding the Course Choice Program, which allows eligible students to enroll in courses offered by various providers. Key changes include the definition of "course provider," which now explicitly excludes public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, unless they meet specific criteria related to performance ratings. Additionally, the bill clarifies that eligible students must be in grades six through twelve and outlines the conditions under which public school districts can offer courses. It also establishes that the State Board of Education will create rules for the program by the 2026-2027 school year, including evaluation processes for course providers and the administration of state assessments.

Further amendments address funding mechanisms for course providers, specifying that they will receive a per-course amount based on the standard market rate, and detailing how payments will be structured based on student enrollment and course completion. The bill also ensures that credits earned through these courses will count towards graduation requirements and that the aggregate test scores of participating students will be included in annual school performance reports. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the Course Choice Program by refining eligibility criteria, provider definitions, and funding structures to better support student access to educational opportunities.

Statutes affected:
SB 604: 6-16-1702, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-16-1703, 6-15-2101, 6-16-1704(a), 6-16-1704(d)