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, while allowing them to offer courses if they meet certain criteria. Additionally, the bill specifies that eligible students must be in grades six through twelve and outlines the conditions under which they can enroll in courses, particularly if their current school does not offer the desired course or if the school has received a low performance rating.

Further amendments focus on the funding structure for the Course Choice Program, adjusting the per-course amount that course providers can receive and ensuring that public school districts retain a portion of the funding for eligible students enrolled full-time. The bill also establishes a process for evaluating course providers and monitoring student performance, with provisions for reauthorization based on academic outcomes. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the accessibility and quality of educational options available to Arkansas students.

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)
Act 730: 6-16-1702, 6-15-2105, 6-15-2106, 6-16-1703, 6-15-2101, 6-16-1704(a), 6-16-1704(d)