Education Committee- House

April 7, 2025 ·10 Minutes Upon Adjournment of House ·Room 130 ·1:27:42

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 0:10

Uh, but not in this committee, I hope. Uh, so we will be hearing, as I said on the floor, we'll be hearing one bill to be respectful to our friends from West Arkansas who have have joined us, want to make sure that uh we, we respect the the time that they put in to come here, especially the students who have come, so we will be hearing House Bill 1940 by Representative Walker. Representative Walker, if you would please introduce yourself for the record and you are recognized to present your bill.

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 0:41

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Stephen Walker, House District 27. So this bill mirrors um Senate Bill 607 that we have on the other end right now. Um, so this is a simple bill. All it does is takes Department of Education's existing rules for 4 day school weeks and codifies them into law. This ensures our local districts know exactly what standards they must meet without having the goalposts moved on them unexpectedly. Most importantly, this bill guarantees that any future changes to these rules require a vote from us in both the House and Senate. This means our constituents can be confident that their elected representatives and senators will have, will both have a voice at the table and a vote before any decisions are made that affect local control and parent choice. We all agree that our children's best interests must come first. That's why we've included provisions that address accountability um in this bill. So any school operating on a four-day schedule that begins to underperform or receives a level 5 designation by the state board will not be permitted to continue. at the 4 day school week model for everybody else, this bill preserves local voice, protects parent choice, and allows communities to determine what works best for their unique circumstances, and with that I'm open for questions. So Walker has presented the bill.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 2:06

Are the questions from committee? Gonzalez worth and you

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 2:12

recognized for a question. Yes, I was wondering, um, What measures would be, I know the assessment measures, you mentioned that, so what would be the process? It would be immediately no more 4 day, so can you, can you go through that process

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 2:29

we're wanting to do is to make sure that if there's any, we've taken um I believe in 1997 is when the law was passed to add 4 day weeks and so the Department of Ed has had since 1997 to figure out what rules to put in place. For our full 4 day school districts. What we're, what I'm trying to do with this bill is we're taking the rules that they have established since 1997, we put it in the bill and we're just trying to make sure that before the state board or Department of Education decides to change the rules and try to squeeze people out of 4 day weeks that we get the final vote. They have to bring whatever the data is that supports whether 4 days or are bad, good, whatever, they have to bring that to us, to talk to us. at the table about what changes may take place, and then we get the final vote on that, and that's what the intent of this is, and I know one of the things that Secretary Oliva has mentioned is he's got data that I've not seen yet, but he's got data that may show that 4 days are not in the best interest of our kids. So if that's true, we've got a we've added a provision to what they've already established with their rules that basically say if a school district does a 4 day schedule and they start underperforming. or they become a level 5 school district or they're already a level 5, school district in distress then Department of Ed would have the right to revoke that um from them, but as long as the school maintains or they improve like some of the data that I've been seeing then um schools are able to continue doing it the way the Department of Ed has um established rules

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 4:14

since 1997. You're welcome. Walker, I've got a question on page. Page 3. So page 3, I'm starting around line. Um, 15 where we talk about forfeiture of the ability to maintain a 4 day school week and maybe this kind of goes back to Representative Gonzalez Worthen's question relative to performance, so, so the only preclusion for someone for a school district to do a 4 day week is, is if they're level 5, so in essence enough school correct. So if if they uh because I I I see and in there on those following lines, so they have to, so would they have to be a level 5. School, the, the intent on that would be they would

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 4:58

lose the ability to continue doing a 4-day school district if they were a level 5. And uh to become a level 5, the state Board of Education has to vote and determine that the school district is level 5. So let's hypothetically, and I don't want to deal with

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 5:14

hypotheticals, but that's, you know, that's how we do things, so we kind of have to hypothetically a school district is maintaining a consistency of being a D-rated school year after year after year there's no, no increase in performance. There's no objective um moving the ball down the field at all in terms of student success, they just kind of hang out there. So would a school like that continue to to have the privilege of being a 4 day. week, they, they would, and the

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 5:45

reason for it, um, it makes it hard to put these schools, uh, in my opinion, in this, because in the Delta areas or in the poor rural areas. It's, it's really hard to advance to C, B, A, school or whatever. So we have really good um school districts that might be at a D level, but it's because of the kids that may be in the area, um, if you're, if you're in an area where there's poverty and you're Struggling to feed a kid or or whatever the case may be, um, you're really fighting against the current that's in place and so there may be a school district that is a D level that is a really good school district. It's just the cards that they were dealt in the area and a 4 day school district um helps with that teacher retention level and it may actually benefit the D school by allowing it and so I don't want to go out and penalize the school district that It doesn't matter if they're on a 5-day school district, they may still be a school, um, a 4-day school district by the testimony I've heard um here earlier today. It might give them a fighting chance because if you're able to do teacher retention and you have a happy teacher in the classroom. A lot of times that reflects onto the, the kids in the classroom, and I don't feel like we've had it in place long enough to kind of see what kind of data is out there on the school districts that might be able to advance to a Cs school down the road and so I don't feel like we should squeeze them out of a 4-day school district before um that that takes place and again, I've not seen any data that has shown that 4 day school districts are, are bad, um, UFA has a study that shows that there are actually helping Arkansas kids, but at the end of the day, I think we need to have the discussion on what the four-day school districts look like going forward. I don't think the Department of Ed should be able to determine that all on their own, and that's the intent of this bill is just trying to say we'd like a seat at the table. We should have the final vote over whatever it is. Um, but we should be having these type of discussions together and not be um dictated by just a state agency. I'm certainly glad we're having discussions in the open because they're very,

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 8:04

very valid, very relevant. You've you've talked about data. I'll recognize for questions in a moment. We talked a couple of times about data. Uh, is there somebody from the department who can come speak to that maybe because I think there probably could be some more questions. On from other members on that. If you would please introduce yourself for the record, you're recognized. And then represent Mayberry, I'll recognize you

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 8:32

for a question next. Sure. Thank you, Jacob Oliva, Department of Education and thank you for uh giving me an opportunity to speak on a topic that I think is of great importance. Um, Representative Walker's presented a bill that's saying what's mirrored in this bill is just mirrored what's currently established rules of 7 years ago. I disagree. I think this bill goes above and beyond and takes away authority from the state board to do the job that they're being tasked with giving a do, and it's to make sure that every child has an opportunity to be in the best learning environment that works best for them. I struggle when we sit here and make excuses and saying that if you're in a poverty school or in a poor region of the state that ad is acceptable. It is not acceptable. to me. And I know when we talk about the data and the research, the data is very clear. There are benefits to schools going 4 days a week with teacher retention, parent satisfaction, students are learning, but overall, in all the replicated studies done nationally, the data will say they don't learn as much as they go 5 days a week, and I keep getting tagged about somebody that's been anti 4 days a week. First thing I want to say is I'm not opposed to 4 days a week. I believe in being innovative. I believe in being creative. ative What I've been advocating for is that we've established as a state 178 day minimum calendar. We build our budgets around it, and we should push people towards meeting the minimum days of school. You can do that in 4 days a week and establish a calendar that goes from August to May, you may not get a fall break and a spring break, and a full week of Thanksgiving, but those are some of the trade-offs you make for being innovative and being creative. I truly believe that touch points matter. We talk about national data. I've presented this committee, our NAP data that doesn't take that when we break down every subject by quintile, whether you're a 90th percentile kid or our 10th. We're below the national average. Systematic explicit instruction for students below grade level matters. Time on task matters. I think if we were having conversations about establishing a 178 day calendar, that's different. I'm not opposed to 4 days a week. I'm not opposed to 5. I'm opposed to being creative. People keep saying that this is a local decision. The state legislature says we're going to fund you for 178 days of school. The local decision is when you want to schedule those days.

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Speaker 23 10:57

It's not saying 143 is good enough. I

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 11:00

pulled the map. You asked for the data. Here's this picture, a snapshot of how many days of school every state requires. 7 states in this nation are below 178. The average is 180. We're already below the national average. If you look at the at the outliers, Kansas goes up to 186 days. Colorado, that's on the high end, Colorado on the low end 160. 4 day a week schools go 143 days. That is one statistic. I do not want to be number one is having the least required days of school. And, and, and I know that when we put our scholars in front of high impact, high yield strategy, trained teachers, they're going to get expected results that go above and beyond. And I can tell you which group and I said it again this morning in the Senate Committee, what group of people know this the most, is our athletic coaches. They know they have so many weeks to get students conditioned to be ready for their season. Because time on task matters. Repetition and practice matters. Why on the 4 day a week schools the gym's open 5 days a week and sometimes 6. I don't understand why an athlete can't just lift a couple heavier pounds 4 days a week for a few more minutes and say that's just as good. If that's as good as good for academics. Nobody would be making that argument. A 7.5 hour day for a kindergartner? At what point are they not learning? I think about the students that are out on the streets that don't have things to do, especially in some of our most impoverished community, where the only system of care they get is during the school day and they get meals, and then I hear about the school districts, well, we partner with people and we have activities for them. Well, if we can bring people in on the 5th day, can we tutor them? Can we give them accelerated opportunities? I don't understand how we're not hearing in these 4 day a week schools that only go 143 days from our AP teachers, our concurrent credit teachers. You cannot get through AP chemistry and prepare students to pass that exam in 143 days. It's mathematically impossible unless they're double blocked. And if we're double blocking kids for those single times and we're taking away opportunities for them to be another course work. So I'm not opposed to a 4-day week. The conversations that I would love to have, and I believe this goes far and beyond saying that this is the state board or local district's authority, because if this bill Passes or doesn't passes, the school districts still have the ability to operate on their own. To say that the only time a state board can intervene is when you get into the school district takeover? They say that lighting uh uh uh a failure factory, a cycle of Ds and F's be good enough for a community and say, let's try a different intervention, because at some point we're not talking about what's best for students and then. And that's what I come here and I can present the data and advocate for. Representative Mayberry, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. Um, I have to say this is probably the bill that I have received the most emails about. Um, the school districts, their families, not just faculty, but families are passionate about this, and I'm just gonna tell you some of the things that I, I read because I tried to read every single one, and what I found was so wonderful about it is a lot of times, as a, as a legislator, we get forwarded emails that say the same thing over and over again. That's not what I was witnessing. I was witnessing reading emails from people where they were telling their story of their school district and their situation. and all that, so, um, one of the things that was mentioned over and over again was the opportunity to have more people apply for a position. So they had one example, and I, I don't have time to pull up all the emails, but one of them said, you know, they had maybe 2 positions open at the high school for math, and they had 22. Teachers apply for that position. That's amazing. Can you, and then it went on each one of those positions there were like 15 to 25 teachers when you have more teachers to pull from, your quality is going to go up. So I'll let either one of you speak on on just that, and then I'll follow up with another part that I thought was really informative in some of those emails, but talking about the retention and the recruitment of high quality teachers

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Speaker 23 15:43

so I, as I stated before, I'm not against a 4 day week. I'm a, I'm, I'm an advocate for scheduling school. I don't know why we have to come in in this state and fight to have school open. And I don't know why we have to fight to say they go

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 15:59

to school matters. 4 day a week, the research says that recruitment for teachers, it is a great strategy. It also says kids aren't learning, so what do we make in our decisions around what's best for students or what's best for adults. And I go back to, especially if you're already behind, and I think your theory of practice is if you have a larger pool of teachers to pull from you may get some better teachers. I don't know, maybe. We don't know, and that's where I think Representative Walker said, I'd love to see more data, more longitudinal thing. I'm not anti 4 days a week. I'm pro a minimum set of days of school, and we're already below the national average minimum expectations. I think we can do both. Where do you recognized for a

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 16:45

question. I'm sorry she had a follow up. I

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 16:52

didn't see the light. You're OK, I didn't know. Representative Walker wanted to, to, to mention anything on that, but I'll, I'll just make the another statement that that was, was in there is that, um, because, no, it's not 178 days, but they are doing that amount of hours. I think it's 1,068 hours and it allows them to dive deeper into the subject matter, which allows them to actually spend more time, um, teaching that curriculum. In that time period and for as far as kindergarten, one of the other things that was mentioned is that there's actually a nap time which allows those kids to kind of recover. I've always been an advocate of making sure that kindergartners had had nap time. My kids would always come home from school and kindergarten and we're really tired. And so it having that longer day actually provided more time for a little bit of that nap time to recover and recoup and, and that they actually are learning more. I've got to tell you I have and I'm excited to to have come up in just a little bit poin school district. They were number one. Number one in the state. For 3rd grade math. And a whole bunch of other, I'll I'll let you share that that my superintendent. So I have a hard time saying that it doesn't work because number one in the state, that, that's working. Number one in a state that's ranked 43 in

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Speaker 43 18:20

the nation. So when we start looking at national average, yes,

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 18:24

we have some outliers, that's why I'd be amenable to meet with Rett Walker to make sure we can complete these conditions, because I do believe if you're in a district or B district, maybe you do get that freedom, that autonomy and flexibility. If you're failing, if you're a failing district. Typically when we have failing districts, there's more than just uh instruction and access to teachers, there's finance, there's community issues, there's city issues, your municipalities. These are kids that need nurturing, loving environments where they can go every day, get their meals and make sure that they have adults that care about them in that system of care. I really struggle when we say, Poor kids can be in a D school and that's good enough. Cause I heard that. Poor kids in certain parts of our state, it's OK for them to be a D because that's all we expect from them. So we should allow them to lose access to high quality instruction, high quality learning environments.

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Speaker 43 19:24

Sorry, folks, I struggle with that. And what you

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 19:28

said is exactly why we need to offer um different options because every area is different. Um, I know my smaller rural areas need a completely different platform than what the large areas do. I mean, everybody in the state of Arkansas serves a different need, and that's why we we've ever over time we've added 4 different models out there. I'm not against having the discussion, but my deal is it needs to be us that's at the table during this. discussion, and that's the point of this bill. It's not whether 4 days should be allowed or not. It's that we are not bypassed because we have established in law that 1,068 hours is also an appropriate deal for our school districts. Um, so if that gets changed, it needs to be by our vote. We're elected by our constituents to serve by the local needs in the local areas. And if they bring, if we have this discussion and they bring the data to us and we recognize that one of the 4 models that we've allowed our school districts is actually affecting our kids back home that I'm sure everybody at this table would not hesitate to take that option away. But just because of hearsay, because I've not seen the data in print, and I like to see stuff on paper and we should not just be pulling things or we should have a vote at the end of the table. We should not be letting Department of Ed and state board just tell us how school, how everything is going to take place when we when we vote in law, one of the four options, we need to be the one that votes it out. And that's the point of this bill.

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Speaker 42 21:02

Chair, can I respond? Because now I feel like I'm having a public debate, and I don't know if that's your intention or not. So

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 21:08

I would prefer that we just stick to answering questions, if we could please, questions for members if a member would like to some misleading information that I felt

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 21:14

like I should be able to address. So I, I will allow you to address

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 21:18

that after we catch another member question, I'll be happy to ask y'all. I'll ask. I'll phrase in the form of a question, uh, so we can continue the dialogue, but we do have other members in the queue, and I want to make sure that they get a chance to ask their questions. Representative Duke, you recognized. Thank you, Mr.

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 21:34

Chair. So we've had data referenced several times here and I realize it's maybe harder than a committee setting to actually disperse the data, but I think that's relevant. So, um, But I mean, because in education world, right, that's what we discuss a lot is data. I know you've done presentations on data in educate in the education committee meetings over the interim and stuff. So can you give us data, the data Secretary Leva that you have or as concise as you can because I realize there's a lot and the Representative Walker, whatever data you have, and like I don't know how we can potentially get the actual hard copies or resources or links or whatever, but um I think the data is relevant and being able to see it, I think, is relevant, at least it is for me. So if either one of you, however you want to do it, chair, have them. That's my question is, can you provide some data? Mr. Secretary, you recognize I'd be happy to if there's one

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 22:29

thing we have access to is a lot of data we can run the data and do correlations and studies for the last few years, however way you want

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Speaker 48 22:36

us to send it to you based on Arkansas data. Do you have anything, um, As far as when

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 22:42

we talked about the success or lack of success or whatever, and in 40 day schools in the country or other studies that have been done, I can send you some studies, and I often get excited and I think

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Speaker 42 22:53

you're going to get handed a study that OEP said that there wasn't a statistical difference

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 23:00

between a 4 day and a 5 day, but also like to point out that that was data used on a collage and career readiness assessment, not a criterion reference assessment, which some of the national studies look at, so we'll be, I can follow up after this committee send that straight to you. Well, I think, I think that would

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 23:13

be helpful. At least, I mean, I don't know if the other members would want it, but I would, um, I mean, would you agree that data, you can You can make data say, depending on questions and what we're looking at and what we're pulling data can say all kinds of different things. I don't know how to get the most objective data in this, but I think that that is an important piece, um, if you would be able to follow up with that or anything that you can go ahead and assert right now, I would appreciate, but if

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 23:40

you are not able to right now, that's fine. I mean, I can literally go back and send you all some rand reports that have done the data that showed the pros and cons that we've talked about. They talked about the teacher retention. They talked about cost savings, they talked about parent satisfaction. They talk about the fact that students do learn going 4 days a week, but it does say they don't learn as much as they go 5. And what they have also said is you may not see learning loss at the beginning, but over time it drops significantly. And when I'm advocating for in a school calendar is the difference between 178 and 143 is we're telling schools that a COVID shutdown is OK every single year. If there's anything we learn when we shut down schools and took away access to learning. Everybody wants to talk. about what we're doing to mitigate learning loss. Folks, we're not mitigating learning loss. We're mitigating the fact that we took away the opportunity to learn. And our students pay dearly for that, these 143 day calendars are doing a COVID shutdown every year, and we're sitting back as adults saying that's OK. Do you have anything that you want to add?

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 24:47

Um, I passed you what I'm using. It's by you of a and the main point of that study is showing it contradicts the national studies out there that 4 day school districts damage our kids, um, but what it tells me is if there's data out there that says that it's helping our kids and there's data that's out there that it's hurting our kids. It, it deserves a further look and a further discussion instead of just being dictated. Represent Cozart, you recognized for

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 25:16

a question. OK Sorry, I was getting some information from somebody they were texting it to me. So I guess the real problem that I have here is We at this table are elected to hear from the people in our districts and we're hearing, uh, I personally do not have one in my district. My district is only 3, but I do have surrounding areas that have that, that I deal with as a a Garland County legislator, we meet with all 7 of our districts. I'm sure a lot of other places do, but a lot of these guys have 10 school districts or more, um, but we hear from these people, and this is what Some of them won't, um, some do not, some want a 5 day week they like the 5 day structure. I don't understand. I was just texting uh the Bismarck superintendent. I've talked to him quite often, his family or friends of mine. And he was saying they 143 days. That's what they've done and they've done it they're an A plus school, and I know not every school is going to be that, but I'm going to tell you not every 5 day school is an A plus either, so it doesn't matter how many days you go and what you're gonna get, maybe they're more instruction going on in that 5 days. I doubt it. I think the instruction is pretty intense in the 4 days. I don't know. I've never been in one and sat through it. I'm not an evaluator. I couldn't evaluate. that. That's not my job, and I wouldn't know it, um, even when I was a school board member, I told them, I do not want to go into a school classroom and evaluate. I wouldn't know, not know what they're talking about or what they're supposed to do, but we hear from these people and I, I just think we owe them the right to fight for them and that's what we're doing. I'm not against the Department of Ed. I'm not against what y'all have to say. Data is data, and I'm gonna tell you, as chair of education, data can say anything. People can make data be one way or the other, and I'm not saying y'all do that. I'm just saying I've seen a lot of data that would be this or it would be that. It's not always correct in every form and fashion, it's according to who it's coming from if it's a reliable source or not, so I, I don't always uh look at data and say that's the thing. I, I look at what people are telling me and what it really real lifetime is what I'm hearing, uh, and I think that's what representative Walker. has seen too, wouldn't you agree? 100%. Thank you. That was

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Chair Unverified 27:42

my statement. Thank you. Representative Painter, you're recognized for a question.

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 27:50

Oh, all right. Um, you know, I, I, I'm gonna form this in a question, but I, I just have a problem with, you know, telling our schools about back in my district's a four-day school, it's working with them. They are A plus elementary. There are high schools up there and telling them that hey, you're A plus is not good because we're 43rd. I think it is a little upsetting. But like Representative Kozar said, wouldn't you agree, Walker, that if Local control, if, if we're wanting our schools to do 4 days and it's working. Let them

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Speaker 68 28:23

have the option to do that, wouldn't you agree? I would if we're not 100%

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 28:28

sure that it's a negative impact on kids. We should not be taking local control away. Follow up. You know, we talked about teachers and

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 28:37

stuff like this. I Have, have you heard from the 4 day schools that, you know, I, I know we're focused on students, but we also got to have somebody to teach them. And is it not helping that, that, especially in rural areas where it's hard to find teachers to use a 4 day as an incentive to help get folks there. I know the surveys and

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 28:59

data that I've been seeing across the board whether it supports 4 days or it's against 4 days. One thing that, um, at least what I've been seeing, one thing that they all agree with is teacher retention, and to me, if you have positive teacher attention, you have happy teachers in the classroom, and that reflects it

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 29:15

on the kids. Amen to that. I appreciate the chair's latitude.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 29:22

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Other additional questions from members. Mr. Secretary, was there additional information you wanted

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 29:29

to give? I, I just want to clarify, um, when representative Walker says that the legislators should make these decisions. I agree. This is why I go back to, I, I don't, I don't know what this conversation is about the state board is taking away the local control. If nothing changes, whether you adopt this rule or don't adopt this rule, our board doesn't have the ability to deny a school district from a four-day calendar. This actually gives us more authority to do so. So I just be cautioned what you do because this language that's written in this bill has some very vague statements based on criterion reference assessments, that's allegedly codifying a rule, this is way above and beyond a role that I could actually use as leverage to make a greater argument. So I would just caution this committee to be careful on the bills that you approve, because there's not one action that me or the state board has taken to tell a school district that they can't do a 4 day a week. Now I can go and I

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Speaker 23 30:29

can meet with people and encourage them to go 5 and encourage them to adopt a 178 day calendar, but I don't have

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 30:37

the authority that if they submit that they're an alternative calendar, a traditional calendar, a 4 day a week calendar, and they met their hours, they have the ability to do it.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 30:49

Seeing no additional questions from the committee. Uh, we do have several folks sign up to speak on the bill, uh, the Secretary of Lee has already spoken. We have Uh, next, Ryan Halbert. I'm not sure. I will do my best to uh Do my best to pronounce everybody's names correctly. If you would please, sir, introduce yourself for the record and you recognize. Yes, my name is Ryan Halbert, uh, Superintendent of Paston School District.

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Chair Unverified 31:20

You're recognized. So I'm here to advocate for the families in my district, um, I will tell you that Palestine we leave benefits heavily from school choice, um, last I checked roughly 60% of our families choose school choice into our district. We are on a 4 day calendar. Um, I sent a survey out the Friday before spring break, and I believe I had 218 respondents to this point, uh, 95% are in favor of our current calendar. Um, that speaks volumes to me, uh. Also one of the questions on my survey was, do you live in our district or outside of our district, uh, 60% of those respondents said they lived outside of our district. So I know it is important to our state that we provide our parents choice. Well, I am the choice in the delta for a four-day school, um. It is If I thought for a minute that it was harmful to our students, I wouldn't do it. Uh, we have programs on Mondays that bring, that offer an opportunity for our elementary students to come back to campus. Uh, we use, uh, play-based learning. We use project-based learning, uh, through the 21st century program and so if a parent chooses to bring them, they have an opportunity to come and that gives us a chance to not only increase our teachers' pay that participate in that program, but also To target the most at needed students. I will also say that, uh, I did not choose the 4 day week I inherited a 4-day week. This is my 2nd year at Palestine Weekly. Uh, I had my reservations when I came in. But after I see what our, our teachers do and our, our children do in that system. I, I am a huge proponent for it and I don't think I would be doing my job if I wasn't here to speak for my families in my, in my district, um. I would, I would like to paint a picture for you as as to what goes on on that Monday. That we're out of school. On that Monday, we've got Kids getting intervention. We've got, we do have athletes practicing. We have high school students at work. We have partnership with some, some intern opportunities for them, uh. I think that the 4-day option just provides more of a choice for our parents and our families. Other questions

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Speaker 76 33:39

for, uh, by Sherry McKenzie, you're recognized. You

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 33:44

don't probably have this information handy, but you might know

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 33:48

it, uh, just give, give us a better understanding of your district. What percentage of kids are on free or reduced lunch. We're 100% 100%. What are your current school assessments or scorecards. So at the last one we do

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Chair Unverified 34:02

have our elementary is a D school or high school is a C school. I will say this too, because that, that was a, when I came in as superintendent, that was a huge flag for me, but. When I went back and looked, we had historical data that under the five-day week, we were, we were falling from a C to a D at the elementary level. I believe on an average of 6 points per year. Uh, the year that they went to the 4-day week, which I think is the last year that we have a school grade. They slowed that to 3 points. We put systems in places I've been in in uh the superintendent seat that I think we will see a huge reversal going towards a B and A. Um, in our, in our high school is 1 point from a B elementary, do

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 34:44

you have interventions set up on your off school day. We have interventions during the school

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Chair Unverified 34:48

day, but we have time, students are offered a 21st century program so they can be on campus on that Monday, if parents choose to bring them, and we, we have targeted interventions for the kids that come there. Yes, thank you. Other additional

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 35:03

questions. Representative Brown, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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Representative Matt Brown Unverified 35:10

Superintendent, um, how many, I mean, what percentage or approximately how many kids come on your off day. So we have about 60 kids

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Chair Unverified 35:19

that show up on that off day. Uh, there are 420 students in that elementary setting. Thank you. Urson Gonzalez Worthy, you recognize?

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 35:31

Yes, can you, can you describe what your project-based learning. Looks like and the type of intervention that's going on on that off day. Yes, ma'am, so my 21st century director would be,

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Chair Unverified 35:44

be better suited to, to answer that question for you, but I'll tell you what I've seen, um, we have science labs, I believe, I believe the curriculum that we use is called grossology which provides them with, with, um, This doesn't feel like the setting you to say this, but the, the, the, I will say that the, the lesson that I witnessed was over boogers. And so that's, the kids love it though. The kids, the kids, and they, and they don't have that on, you know, our, our curriculum, the, the other days, they don't use roology. Um, we have a pro uh a program called uh Age of Learning that we use throughout the, throughout the school week, uh, and that gives us a chance to diagnose what 5 areas of the science of reading are students are lacking in the most, uh, the teachers. Create Activities targeting those kids and those weaknesses. You recognize. He also mentioned interns, I believe.

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 36:54

Yes, ma'am. We have, we have

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Chair Unverified 36:57

quite a few kids in our district, the high school that that work, uh, we have a, a few different In turn, opportunities that they partner with my counselor at the high school has set up, um. And so they have that that Monday they have a chance to work an entire day. If they choose. They're working outside of school or they're working within the school they're working outside of the school, OK. Representative Duke you recognize. Thank you,

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 37:17

Mr. Chair. Thank you for being here and sharing your story. Appreciate that. Um,

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 37:29

could you tell me, do you have any idea? Have you done a survey on what the students who are not They're on that 5th day, what they are doing with their time and do you also have any idea what your sports teams, what their day looks like on that 5th day. Thank you. Yeah, so I have not sent

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Chair Unverified 37:47

out a survey to ask what, what, what they're doing. Um, I will say we're a small community and so a lot of the, I do know a lot of those students are with family members, um. I, I have, I'll be honest with

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Speaker 98 37:59

you, one of the biggest complaints that I got back on the survey is they asked that we don't do things on that

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Chair Unverified 38:07

Monday. I don't like that because I want to give that opportunity for our families, uh, but oftentimes they go on trips, uh, they go to deer camp, they go to duck camp, things like that. What what was the second part of the question? Um, your

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 38:19

sports teams, what do they do? Do they do a 5th day or do they just do the 4 days? Yeah, so

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Chair Unverified 38:25

our, our athletic teams have the option. I believe most of them do practice on that Monday that that we're off, um, I don't know that. My volleyball practiced every Monday. But every other team

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Speaker 98 38:37

practices on Monday. Are there additional questions

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Chair Unverified 38:46

about the committee? Reverend Barnett, you recognize. Thank

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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 38:52

you, Chair. Thank you, Superintendent Halbert for coming today and sharing with us um the benefits of the 4 day week within your school district, um, being that I reside in the same county as your district. I do know that your district is one of the districts that despite declining population in our general area of your school district has experienced growth, and I do have students from within my district that attend. your school district uh via school choice. I, I wanted to know, do you think there's been any benefits in terms of teacher retention. And staff retention with the 4 day week for your district. Certainly, in a data point that I can

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Chair Unverified 39:36

speak to you on that is, uh, last year, I sent a survey out to every one of our new teachers, 85% said that the four-day week was played a key role in them applying, uh, for the district, um. I, it is hard to convince people to move to Paine and Arkansas. If they wanted to move there, there's not a lot of houses. So one thing that it does for me in my district is it, it broadens our net. Uh, I get a chance to go to job fairs from time to time in different colleges. And where my, where my big selling point comes to is if I can find a student that's graduating from Brinkley or, or even Hayes and Carlisle, closer to Little Rock. I can convince them a lot of times to drive 4 days. Driving 5 days might be harder. I don't know because it hasn't happened, but I, I feel like that if we switch back to a 5-day week, I do feel that I would lose 6 or 7 teachers, and that would be very impactful for my district.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 40:38

Seeing no additional questions. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Next up on the list is Susan Kissery. Hopefully I pronounced that correctly, do the best I can if you take my

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Speaker 107 40:51

name. If you would please introduce yourself to the record and

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 40:55

let us know where you're from and then you're recognized to speak. OK, thank you, Mr. Chair. My

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Susan Kazire Unverified 40:59

name is Susan Kazire. I am the superintendent of Poin School District prior to that, I was at Bismarck School District for 16

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 41:08

years and we both implemented the 4 day school district at the same time. I would like to begin with some of the key benefits of the 4 day school week. I improved student achievement, reduced burnout for students and teachers, enhanced student and teacher morale, better at. attendance and retention rates cost savings, and more planning time for teachers, which affords them additional time to develop more effective and well-structured instructional plans. We currently have 47 districts that have implemented the 4 day models and this is an impacting 5% of our student population, you heard Secretary Oliva mention the Rand report. Let me tell you why the ran report doesn't reflect rural Arkansas. Arkansas isn't Idaho, New Mexico. and Oklahoma. Rand uses national averages, but rural Arkansas is different. This is a 2021 study that does not include us and is based on urban and suburban areas. This study is skewed because it includes data collected during the 2021 school year, which was impacted by the COVID pandemic. Some of these states did not mandate instructional minutes like Arkansas does. We protect that instructional time. Therefore, we see success. Rural districts face challenges and the 4 day helped stretch our financial resources while still meeting instructional needs. Rand doesn't dive deep enough into these practical benefits, behavior, engagement and well-being can also improve. The 4 day model is helping rural districts stay competitive like you talked about with the retention piece, a quality teacher in front of students is always the most important factor to student success and secret Oliva is the first one. to say that The 4 day week fits our way of life, faith, family, and flexibility, 95.7% of our community and parents support the 4 day week and over 99% of our faculty and staff. Poeen Elementary is ranked number one in growth across the state, although I'm talking about the elementary, we were rank ranked number one in growth for the elementary, middle, and high school, so number one in growth across our state. We rank above most schools in the Dawson Co op and ELA math and science, and we are above the state average in both math and reading across the board. We made the Melbourne Daily Record and the Sheridan headlight with our test scores, I mean, front page articles with so many highlights that I can come back another day and share all of that with you. As Secretary Oliva said to you last week, a one size fits all approach doesn't work for all of our students and families, administrators, teachers, schools and school districts, please let Arkansas communities make the choice that fits their kids, protect our four day schools, and I want to say a big thank you to all of our bill sponsors and to all of you. Um, if, if I can just, just quickly with time on task. I, I do want to point out that although a 5 day school does 6 hours of instructional time every day with us for a full day, it's 7.5 hours per day. It's the exact same number of instructional minutes instead of the 360 minutes per day, we're doing 450 minutes, but overall it's the exact same number of instructional minutes. We're cutting out those. transition times between classes, we're cutting out that extra lunch, the extra recess. I mean, those are the things that are being cut out from the 5 day we're not cutting out instruction. The instruction time is still there, we're able to block out our classes where let's say that you are in your science class, you have a 60 minute block where the teacher can teach the science lesson and then do the lab at the same time, so you have a much more quality time period. For your students in an ELA class period with that 60 minute block, you know, we, the students are able to go in and have that full time of protected time we're not pulling students out. We have our math and our English blocks in the morning, we protect that time. Students are not pulled out for any reason, so that we know we're able to get in there and focus and have that protected instructional time, which is so important. Uh, and, and I do just kind of want to make a statement that I looked this up and it's in these documents right here, which you're welcome to take from the OEP study, but it was stated this morning that there were no 4 day schools are that, uh, all the 4 day schools were Ds and F's and that is a big mistruth, um, right now, as of the last data that we received 1.7% of the four day schools are A's, 17.2%. Our bees, 50% are Cs, 25% these 5% F's, uh, that the Ds and F's 30% and if you talk about all the schools in Arkansas, 33% are Ds and F's, so our 4 day schools are over or out achieving the five-day schools, uh, talking about Arkansas being forty-third. Well, I can guarantee you that those of us that are achieving and at the top are not the ones making us 43rd. So, any questions? Vice Chair McKenzie, you recognize for a question. I'll just do this with everybody, so I'd love to know your low

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 46:47

income or uh free and reduced lunches.

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 46:51

By percentage if you know it. Our percentage we run around 64%. Um, do you

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 46:59

know your scorecards off the top of your head? You're, you're a

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 47:05

statewide score. Our rights, yes, right now we're bees, but I anticipate when our new letter grades come out, which should be anytime our elementary will definitely be an A and our high school should be a B. OK. And then on your day off, what percentage or description

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Speaker 43 47:16

of programs that take place on those days off. We

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 47:23

don't because we are literally the poorest school district in the state. We received the least amount of money for our village, and we, we don't have a 21st. century grant and we received very little in federal funds. So honestly, two reasons for that. Number 1 is that when the surveys were sent out, parents like he had talked about parents did not want anything on the Monday. They just wanted that to be a day that they had with their children and some students work on that day and different things like that, and then also we don't have funding for that. We just don't have it. I wish we did. Representative Duke, you're recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you for being here. Congratulations on your hard work that you've done in your school. Thank you for it. A couple of questions just because I wanna understand a little bit better what these look like. What do your breaks look like as far as spring break, fall break, Christmas break. What do those, um, what do those look like exactly like the five day schools. We do the same thing. The week of spring break, which is the, you know, mandated time period, the two weeks at Christmas, just like the others, uh, we chose Monday as the day that we. you would not have instruction because so many of our holidays already fall on a Monday, so then we weren't looking at any other additional days that we would not be in school, so you know, Labor Day, MLK Day, a lot of these days that, you know, other schools might take as a holidays, we chose Monday so then we would not have other additional days that we would be out of school, a fall break and Thanksgiving break. We take Thanksgiving break. We have not had a fall break in the past. It's Thanksgiving. I'm sorry, yes, ma'am, thank you. Um, also you kind of got my attention with the extra recess. You say you've removed the extra, that's just I'm saying as far as kind of how that time when you're talking about um not having school on a Monday, you know, we're, that's where the that time is with not having that um that day of school, you know, you're talking about the lunch time, uh, not having instruction that day, the transition time, you know, that's where a lot of that. Time is made up on that day, saying there's no lost instruction on the days that we're there, the difference in a lot of the, if you're saying talking about a 5 day school week. A lot of the difference in the time is, you know, if you added back in a 30-minute lunch time, 5 minutes between each class period, um, you know, 30 minutes out at recess. I'm just saying that, you know, that's uh some of the different between a 4 day and a 5 day is that the instruction is exactly the same. It's just, you know, we don't have an extra day of those things, an extra day of transition and an extra day of the lunch period, an extra day of the, uh, you know, time that the kids are out at recess, so we're not missing any instructional time, that's what some of that. Time is that's there. Does that make sense? I, I think maybe, I think maybe I understand what you're saying. Um, my final question, and I think I asked, well, there's kind of two parts of the same piece. I asked the other gentleman, so can you tell me what your sports teams look like and then also do you know what your students are doing. On that day, I mean, you're not there. Do you know what's going on with those kids out in the community in their homes, things like that, yes, we do offer, um, we do have like for our in season sports, then they will have practice on those days for in season, but students, if they can make it, then they're there, they're not penalized if they are not there because we do have students that work so if they're, you know, able to work, then they work and they're not penalized for not being at practice. We may also have, you know. students that were like me as a kid where I babysat a sibling that was 13 years younger than me. So if they're responsible for younger siblings, then they're responsible for younger siblings, so they're never penalized for not being there. Uh, a lot of our students work if they're old enough to work. That's the biggest thing. We are a very poor community, so it helps a lot of our students for that, with that, uh, some of our students that need to get their volunteer hours, they use that day to get their vol un te er hours, uh, we have the little grill across the road from our school district. So, you know, if a few of our students work right there at the grill. So if you're there, it's wonderful and uh you can visit with some of the kids, um, like I said, you know, some of them might just come up there for an hour or two and, you know, shoot some hoops in the gym or uh they might be spending time with friends, but it's also the main thing, one of the greatest things about this is these are the days to go to the dentist, go to the doctor. Um, you know, if you have things and and for the teachers, if you have a car repair that needs to be done or whatever needs to be taken care of and that's what has helped our attendants to improve so much with our uh teachers and with our students and, you know, when I was at Bismarck, our attendance was about 20% better because you've got that day, so you're not having to miss actual instruction time because you've got a day of the week when you can take care of business. Um, I had a teacher. that was here this morning. She's a teacher and a parent, and she wanted to be here to speak to you, but I went ahead and sent her home because she's got younger kids, but um, but she said I could kind of share a little bit, but, you know, she has a special needs student, and so on Monday, he received services, and so we've got some students that, you know, instead of being pulled out during the day, they're able to be in school and be with their peers and, you know, have that normal school experience and receive their services on a Monday. What about the littles? Uh, same thing, what they do, again, we offered something when I was at Bismarck and then also at Poen it was put out that we at working with the churches that we would provide some different services to provide daycare and stuff like that, and, you know, to contact us and no one took advantage of it. Not at all. Thank you and we send home extra food in the backpacks. So for all of our uh kiddos that, you know, need extra food whenever they go home on a Friday, we send home extra food and we've done that at both school districts. We send home extra food to make sure on that Monday that they are fed and that they're not hungry. Represent Mayberry, you recognized for your question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 54:07

you, my superintendent. Proud of this school and all that you all are doing, um, so I, I, I should know this number off the top of my head, but I don't. Remind me, um, how many people actually live in the city of Poland. And then tell me what your school

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 54:26

district population is. OK, I believe we have around 260 people that actually live in pollen, so, but one is Justin

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Speaker 131 54:34

Moore. So just so you have heard that country singer, so you know,

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 54:39

wants to live 260, but one is famous. Uh, and then our school district is growing, so we are very blessed for that. We have about 540 students, so we're up about 40 students this year. So I'm very thankful. OK. Well, that leads me to it.

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 54:55

I'm, I am glad that it's, it's up over 500, but I know a discussion that we have often in the education committee is that, you know, for the, some of these smaller school districts, the, the way our adequacy and and and all it is based on a 500 population school district and um I, I've heard that this has been very helpful to keep some of our small rural school district's operational because it's so hard to fund everything that you need to fund. So by removing that extra day, can you just explain what some of the services are that you don't have to provide that day that might help with the budget for the small world districts so that you can keep education close to home. Sure, absolutely. Well, first of all, the

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Speaker 136 55:44

4 day school week is a

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 55:49

wonderful recruitment tool for students just like it is for. teachers, so that has really helped us as well, um, the cost savings, number one, you're saving on bus, you're saving the bus driver for the 5th day for our 5 bus routes, you're also saving on fuel, you're saving on the maintenance of the bus for the extra miles that are being driven, uh, for that day and then the utilities you're talking about utilities, food costs for the cafeteria, um, and, um, you know, the I mean, just little things like, you know, wear and tear at school, the resources at school, the extra things that would be used on, um, you know, the Mondays and so forth, and of course as a small school district, every penny counts and so we try to be very fris, you know, fiscally sound and very frugal with everything, but I would say those are probably the biggest things that, you know, we, whenever we went to Forda at both school districts, we were not out to cut. Salaries, you know, especially for our classified because we value our classified staff and and these are the folks that are really doing some of the hardest jobs, um, and you know, I used to teach elementary school, let me tell you, there's some pretty scary stuff you have to clean up if you're, you know, if you're working in an elementary building, so we value them and we did not want to cut salaries for them because there are lowest paid, you know, personnel as well. So, but it helped. Because we were extending those days out, so, you know, we were able to keep those salaries, but I know where I was before. I also put out and said if you would like to cut, you know, if you would like to reduce your salary or your contract. please come to me and talk to me and I probably had 15 people that said that they would like to reduce, and I know that Poeen did as well and so, you know, anyone that wanted to reduce their contract down, then we were able to reduce some of those hours. And, and I will say this too, and I wish I had thought about this this morning and said to Ed and if we get the opportunity, I will remember this. There is a fiscal impact to this because if you go back to a 5 day school week, you're going back to running those routes. You're going back to raised utilities and then you're also going back to readjusting those contracts and raising, you know, those salaries back up and so forth. So there is not a zero. Fiscal impact. There is a fiscal impact and for some school districts now you know where I was before when we implemented this, that was not the main reason that we started the 4 day, but I know there are other school districts that the main reason they started the 4 day was because, you know, they needed help fiscally, so if we, you know, pull that away, that's gonna be a big concern for them. We, we may push some, you know, smaller schools and fiscal distress. Mhm OK

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 58:55

Representative Gonzalez worthy you recognize. Thank you, Chair. I was curious, you mentioned um that there's more planning time for the teachers, and so I was curious as to um have you seen any um maybe additional um creativeness, innovativeness, I'm, I'm thinking about um project-based learning or working in professional learning communities or interdisciplinary or thematic units, does that make it easier if you could just, yes ma'am, let me tell you, PLCs professional learning

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 59:27

communities you were talking about language because that is, uh, I am a firm believer in professional learning communities. When I was at Bismarck, we implemented professional learning communities and that is when we started to see our student success begin to grow and grow and grow. We went from a school district that was mediocre and we went to all A's AAA for all three of our campuses. So that was one of the first things whenever I got to poing that was on my heart to implement there, so. this whole school year, that was one of the first things I talked to the board, it became a board initiative. I presented to them. We came into the campus and started talking about PLCs and implemented them, so that has absolutely been something, so we have implemented PLCs across the board. It's been a learning process throughout the year. We have been working with Solution Tree and the teachers are working together. They're working vertically, horizontally, you've got your classroom teachers that are, you know, if Miss Mayberry and I are on the team, of course we're small, so, you know, there's only gonna be 2 of us that might be teaching 2nd grade, but you know, we're working on a unit together about, you know, say, whales that we're teaching, you know, and so if we're doing it and you're the music teacher and you know, we're going to get with you and then we're gonna, you know, have you do something in music where you're gonna do, you know, some kind of unit on it, then we're gonna go. To the librarian and have her do something in the library where we are doing it just all the way across the curriculum, and so it's been wonderful to have that and you know, to have them be able to work together and just pull the campus together, so it, it's been a great experience. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. Seeing no additional questions. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much. We appreciate you all on the list we have Mr. Larry Newsom. I think they had to head out. OK, moving on, Mr. Jerry Streisner.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:01:31

Mr. Streer, thanks for being here. Appreciate you if you would please introduce yourself for the record, let us know where you're from,

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Speaker 147 1:01:41

and then you're recognized. I'm Gerald Streisner, Superintendent Wachita River.

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Speaker 148 1:01:47

So good afternoon everybody. Thank you for allowing me to this for this opportunity to testify. On behalf of the positive changes that we're seeing with the implementation of the 4 day calendar. This was our first year to uh to implement this 4 day week. But we studied this model for 3 years before implementing. We had 3 goals before, um, implementing this this calendar, the first goal was to improve teaching and learning, that was our main goal. Second was to improve staff and student attendance. And also to recruit and retain quality staff. What does our data say after the first year's implementation, our stakeholders continue to support this calendar in our school district with 80 and 90 in some areas 100% approval. We're seeing positive changes already in our interim data with the Atlas system and I wanna share with you one of the most important things we've done as a state. Is changing our assessment system to test grade level standards and I appreciate uh the secretary's work, the department and this body for changing our assessment system. Because now we're seeing uh uh growth in most every area in our school district, uh, as a result of the new assessment system but also implementing the 4 day week. Our classroom walkthrough data. Shows a tremendous increase in focus. Preparation and student engagement this year. Our attendance has improved drastically with our adults. Our students almost 90% have improved their attendance at our school this year after implementing the 4 day week. We're certainly not perfect and we don't claim to be, uh, when we learn to do better, we really try to do better. But if you ask me if I would uh go back to 5 days, uh, versus 4 after seeing the effort with all of our stakeholders this school year, I would say no. That's because they. We've all came together to meet the three goals that we set out to do at the start of the year. We feel like this is our baseline year moving forward in our district with the changes that we've implemented. Today we're now more focused on tier one instruction using data to drive decisions. And our students are more prepared to take the Atlas them at the end of this month and moving forward. 4 day school week calendars go the same. Instructional time. As all other calendars, we certainly don't cheat our kids out of any learning we want to maximize learning in our school. But I believe the number of positive changes we're seeing in our data is due to staff dedication, high levels of student engagement. And a positive morale that we see with all of our stakeholders now since implementing the 4 day week. I also want to share a couple of things with you guys. First Or 73% free and reduced. We have struggled with retaining quality staff, especially in critical shortage areas like special ed. But since implementing the 4 day week, we're now getting applications for uh to come to our district as far as Fort Smith. And that's an hour and a half one way. Also want to share with you that we stay open. Every day

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Speaker 149 1:05:32

in our district 5 days. We have extra help.

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Speaker 148 1:05:40

Tier 2 intervention services on Monday we transport, we feed our students, we protect them we deputize staff and also SROs. We've even signed up to feed our families over the summer we do summer school. We try to maximize as much learning as we can. Uh, to meet the needs of our people. So I want to thank you for serving our state. I know it's been a long day, but I wanna say thank you. I also wanna say thank you to uh our staff and students for all their hard work that they've displayed this year in meeting the challenge uh of implementing a new calendar. I just want to ask for your support to continue to uh continued support and helping us make good local decisions, um, because we truly know partnering with our families, we, we know what's best for our kids. You know, we actually applaud the effort of trying to score better nationally. I've actually had discussions with uh the secretary before and others at the department, you know, we want to do better nationally and we want to help that as well and some of the things that I've learned is that the, the, the better we do on our current assessment system, um, that's our focus, the better we'll do nationally is what I've been told, so we're we're excited about that. And I just want to say thank you. Thank you, Mr. Streicer. We appreciate your other questions for him.

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:07:15

by SchmercKinsey, you recognize he answered my free introduced lunch questions, so I appreciate that. Um, so what you mentioned some level 2 interventions you also bus and feed kids. What percentage of your student body comes to your school

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Speaker 148 1:07:28

on your day off. We surveyed our parents at the halfway point just to make sure that we're meeting their need on this Monday time. And Mr. McKenzie, they, they like many of our colleagues that you just heard we're in a very rural area. A lot of those kids go to work on the farm, etc. So currently we see elementary about 32 and then high school age about 18, so, uh, we have currently 712 students today, so that's how many actually need us to stay open those kids need us there that day. And then, um, uh, your letter grade.

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Speaker 83 1:08:03

Yes, sir. So, Uh, I've, I've said the same

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Speaker 148 1:08:07

thing this morning the the answer is C and this C's been driving us crazy for a couple of years and that's why we've made a lot of these changes back in the benchmark days we were A and B then we dropped to see during a spire. That's because in my opinion, like a lot of others in the room, we weren't assessing grade level standards. We've changed our assessment system, and I'm very glass half full that we'll score better as the state moving forward because we're we're assessing. what we're teaching and so. Um, I think we'll get off the sea eventually but

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Speaker 154 1:08:42

um you know there's things in my life that I'm see and uh that's OK too. Thank you. Yes sir. Are there

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:08:54

additional questions from the committee? Registration as always, we appreciate you. Thank you for your time. Uh, next up we have, uh, Dennis Copeland. Yeah Copeland, if you would please introduce yourself. Let us know where you're, where you're from, and you're recognized. Wow Thank you, Mr. Chair. My

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Dennis Copeland Unverified 1:09:16

name is Dennis Copeland. I'm the director of the Arkansas Roulette Association.

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Speaker 158 1:09:22

And um I'm here to support uh the member school districts. There's 47 of them. Out of the 239 school districts, we have 222 that are members of our organization. It's been a lot of hard work. We have a lot of bigger schools. We have a lot of schools that go 5 day. We have a lot of schools, 47 of them that go 4 days, and there's some alternate school difference that they go to as well. Um During this time I've been contacted many times and from different school districts about this particular bill, and I want to thank um Representative Walker for bringing this bill, um, I think he's, uh, did a lot of research and I think a lot of these folks have, and again, before we get started, I want to thank all of you for all the work that you do, for all the time that you spend and for the uh care that you have for our students here in Arkansas. Um I was a teacher for 22 years and a coach. I was a 6-year principal and then 10 years as superintendent, so I've had a lot of practical, uh, experience with all this stuff. I've been with the Arkansas Rural Ed for 7 years now. I was the the uh assistant director for 4, and I've been the director for 3. We are a nonprofit organization. If you guys want to go on our website, ArkansasuralE.com. You can see that we give scholarships, uh, you can see all of our member schools that are members, uh, you can see the different uh folks that we do, we have superintendents of the year from the north of I-40 and from the south. We give 8 scholarships per year, employed child. Which is 1000 for 44 years, uh graduating senior, 1000 for 4 different for 4 years they can renew uh vocational. We have a two-year scholarship there for 1000 each year and we have a pair of professional scholarship for 2 years and 1000 each on those and again they're all from north of I-40 and the south of I-40, so we try to spread it around and that seems to work out pretty well. Um, Some of the things that we do for our organization, I'm, I'm giving you an example of what we do and to let you know why I'm here today. We are advocate advocates for uh Not just the small schools, but all the schools and you know, I'm here talking about not just the small schools. I'm talking about everybody that's a member of our organization. Um We try to work with legislators. I know most of you and and uh have tried to get to know some of you a little better and it's been a little more difficult with uh going to the Senate E and then coming down here too, but uh I, I think you all have the kids's best interests at heart, and I appreciate that. Um Which provide a united voice. We are members of the National Rural Ed Association and other state affiliates um across the country. And I think one of the big things is that our mission is to further public education in America and we try to do that. I'll be happy to take any questions, um. Again, thank you for giving me a chance to come and visit with you and uh There's anything I can do to

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Speaker 162 1:12:57

help, obviously try to do that. Other question Mr. Copeland,

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:13:01

Representative Gonzalez Worthy, you recognize, um, I was wanting

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 1:13:08

to know about the number of schools that you have that are part of your association that are on 4 day and 5 day school weeks 47 are on 4A and

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Speaker 158 1:13:17

I'm not sure because there's some that are on alternative, you know, full year and stuff, but most of them are 5 day.

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Speaker 37 1:13:24

OK. Yes, ma'am Um Represent fault you're

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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:13:32

recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry. I've been running back and forth from agriculture to here. I mean I know I've missed a lot. I'm wondering, did you get to review the memo that was sent out by the department and then what does your uh group think about the memo that was sent out. I did see the memo. I'm not sure all of our people got to

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Speaker 158 1:13:51

see that. I think the only people that really got to see it were the 47 that received it. OK, so not all schools received that memo then, not, not to my knowledge, no.

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Speaker 169 1:13:58

OK. See no additional questions. Thank you for your time, Mr. Coppo. Thank you.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:14:09

Next signed up is Tristan Nadal. Just is not here, he's gone, OK. Uh, next we have 3 young ladies, uh, Hadley, Kenna, and Eden, I hope I pronounced that right. Uh, I'll be, I'll be glad to take all three of y'all at the same time, uh. So if you would please just introduce yourselves for the record, representative Nazarenko is gonna set you up there with microphones. Just let us know your name, where you're from, and then you're recognized to speak. Thank you, Mister Chair.

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:14:42

Um, I'm Hadley Huffacer. I'm Kennedy Cusick, and I'm Eden Cusick. Um, so I guess I'll start us off today, um. Hello, my name is Hadley Huffaker, and I'm a 7th grader at Lincoln Middle School. I wanted to come today with my with my administration to talk to all of you about why keeping a 4 day school week an option for school districts is not only important to me, my family, the teachers, and so many other families. It is the right thing to do.

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Speaker 175 1:15:11

My parents, like many of you were unsure about the

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:15:15

4 day weeks at first, but after seeing the positive effects, it is not only had on my family, but teachers, staff, and other students in our district. We are huge supporters of it like this? That's perfect. Yes,

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Speaker 177 1:15:27

thank you. Ho But make sure she hears you.

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Speaker 181 1:15:32

Is this good? Would you like me to

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Speaker 182 1:15:36

restart You're good. Go ahead and just continue. Thank you. OK.

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Speaker 175 1:15:44

Um, my parents, like many of you were unsure about the 4 day weeks at first, but after seeing the positive effects, it has not only had on my family, but teachers, staff, and other students in our district. We're a huge supporters of it. It is not only improved attendance and allowed students to be more engaged in class, but has resulted in less burnout and greater teacher retention, which is a win for everyone in our district. I live on a farm with my family. We raise cattle and pigs. Having Mondays off has allowed me and my sisters to contribute more to our farm. We are able to spend more hours working with our show animals and helping with farm chores. Many farm families in our state can benefit greatly from an extra day on their farms. My sister, who's a sophomore at Lincoln, tore her ACL last summer. After surgery, she has had to attend physical therapy, a minimum of once a week for the last 7 months. She's able to schedule these appointments on Mondays, resulting in less missed school for her. If we attended 5 days a week, she would miss more than half a day of classes every week for these appointments. I know families and teachers are able to schedule important appointments on our day off, which allows them not to miss

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:16:55

class time as well. I would also like to add in that And students in our middle school and high

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Speaker 175 1:17:03

school, um do travel sports, which causes them to be gone Saturdays and Sundays, and if we want the additional 5 days a week, they were they would not um get like proper sleep because I know that one of my best friends, she goes all the way to Oklahoma almost every weekend, um, which is like pretty far out from us and If she didn't have the extra Monday, she would not get like proper sleep schedule and she wanted to be able to get um the correct like. time she needed to just like decompress from those sports. Um, after After attending for almost 2 years after attending a 4 days a week. I know that this is one of the best things to happen in our school and benefits everyone, not only in our school district, but many others. I urge you to continue to allow schools to have the choice to make this an option if their district could benefit from it like Lincoln has. I thank you for your time and your consideration. Uh,

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Speaker 186 1:18:08

I also have something to say and it's that I would also like to talk about the 4 day school week and how it's improved me and my classmates. So the biggest thing I see in our school in Lincoln, like at least the middle school is student morale. So Whenever you love it or not, people are going to get burned out. And so I think by the Monday being there, that more students are not going to get burned out and stressed because they have a 3 day weekend to decompress and the Monday also gives them time to finish work and hang out with family. Because I think that family is really important too because I don't get to see my family a whole lot too. Like extended family. If I did have like Mondays to go see him and like vacation and stuff. But, so, School can be overwhelming, and I found that for myself because I'm a student athlete. And so during the first half of school and the second half, I missed a lot of school because I was gone for athletics. So I I had the weekends and Monday is to catch up on a ton of missed work and so that's got

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Speaker 188 1:19:24

me caught up. Thank you. Thank you. Also, another

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Speaker 189 1:19:29

thing that went up is attendance and grades in our school. First, attendance has gone up greatly because many Attendance has gone up a lot

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Speaker 191 1:19:39

because I feel like, uh, they have more time to get rested and energized and feel ready for school. And also counting on doctor's appointments and such. They also have time to make upgrades and that kind of stuff so that also gets their attendances up so they can show up to turn in their work and not be so stressed about all that kind of stuff. Along with attendance, grades have also gone up also for many reasons. Whenever we have, uh, whenever we've been. Whenever students have been well rested and um have a fresh mind. They can do better in school, like how, for instance, whenever I've been gone for like a few um like doctor's appointments whenever I couldn't schedule them on the Mondays, I could like catch up on them on the weekends and then come back to school and have all my grades ready to be put in. And then it also like helped me perform better in school because I used to have all these last year and compared to this year, I have all A's. And that's kind of it. Thank you ladies. Representative Cozart, I believe you had a question for one of the young ladies.

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:20:53

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ladies, I just kind of have a question in general, I guess, for all three of you can, you can um answer but being from a rural school, y'all have a lot of things that I, I kind of look back at the times when I was in school, we did farming, had animals, and it took a lot of time to do some of that stuff, um, and I'm sure y'all have the same thing. You may have animals that you have to tend to in the days or, or you work on something else? I'm not sure, but Did you think that the 4 day allows you that extra time to be able to take care of the business that you have maybe on a farm or with something that you deal with other than farms and it could be sports, it could be other things, but, um, Would, would you, uh, think that would help, help, help you with that extra day to do farm work or something like that.

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Speaker 175 1:21:47

Yes, sir. So I actually show, um, for our Washington County and the extra 4 days, um, has Like we've had it for almost 2 years now, and it has helped extremely with my show schedule and me on working on my with my animals and on my farm, and it's helped extremely like in that process, especially like. Just with the animals in general and I am a student athlete and the extra Mondays. I got the opportunity to move up to junior high this year and um with that I couldn't change my schedule as a 7th grader. So on the Mondays, I would practice with junior high every Monday and it helped me got caught up so I could play games with them and that extra Monday has helped extremely

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:22:38

with on that too. So wouldn't you say that that the time that you're spending with your animals is just really another leg of school work because that does go into uh FFA and and that type of skills that that I used to have with FFA and that we did that during school time. So when you say that kind of falls into that maybe on your day off of school, but that you're still using that for

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:23:03

that yes sir. Yeah, so, um, you aren't like eligible for FFA until you're in 8th grade. So I, for me to show,

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Speaker 175 1:23:11

I do 4H and like that's also like helping with my school because we do projects. In our 4H, which we actually have our 4H meetings on our Mondays because I'm in Lincoln 4H, um, so, and yeah, and next year I will be an FFA and I'm going to judge and stuff on that, and I know that the Mondays are gonna like help with that too, so I definitely do think the Mondays helped with that thank

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:23:37

you for those answers. That's exactly what I want to see and the farming communities, that's what it takes, you know, I hate to say what my dad did, uh, Mr. Chair, but my dad went to school. in the winter when it was so cold and in the summers, they, they actually did not have school. Now that's been back in the 30s. Uh, so that's been almost 100 years ago, but uh I just remember those times. So farm farming and farm communities are very, uh, needed for the kids to have that time too. Thank you, Hadley, Kenna and Eden for sharing, uh, sharing what

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:24:10

you did and you're very brave to come up here, so we really appreciate your time very much. Thank you for your time. Thank you. We have one additional person signed up, uh, Shanna, Shanna Hurst. That was the teacher I was talking. Oh, I'm sorry, OK.

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Speaker 40 1:24:32

We have no one else signed up to speak on the bill. The bill's sponsor is not here. Right. Is he? There. There we are. So you are recognized to close for your bill should you choose to.

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 1:25:07

So like I started off, um, this is a house built version of what's of a Senate bill on the Senate end. Um, I just got word that we're looking at, we're having some discussions on the set and so at this time I'd like to pull the bill so we can um have, have, have a little bit more time on these discussions if that's OK with the committee.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:25:28

So just to clarify, uh, you intend to pull down HB 1940 for additional discussion and perhaps aitting on the Senate end with 607. Then you certainly are welcome to do that. It's your bill. Thank you. And House members, I said that's the only bill we're going to hear tonight, uh, Representative Brown has graced us with his presence. He has promised me, he has a Senate bill. He said it will take 20 seconds. I told him that that's the really bad last words of a bill that comes to die in this committee, uh, so, but I will recognize you representing Brown for a Senate bill which I don't know the number of. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair, and I think I did say 30 seconds to be

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Speaker 203 1:26:04

fair. Uh, Matt Brown House Street 55, uh, colleagues, myself and Representative Barnett are alums of the In science school down in Hot Springs. The state's only residential high school. Uh, when that school was created back in the 90s, part of the legislation creating it said that no one will ever be charged tuition to attend the school. What has happened since then? They invented something called online learning, and now the school has extra capacity where world-class teachers can give online uh uh classes to students who are not in the school, this bill would simply give the UFA the ability to charge a reasonable tuition rate for students choosing to take the online portion, they're actually enrolled in the school but taking an online class, and with that, I'd be glad to answer any questions. Motion pass. Are there

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:26:43

questions for Representative Brown. It is uh Senate Bill 5152. I'm sorry, 5, 522. I'm sorry, Senate Bill 522 for Senator McKee McKee, yes. OK. 522. Are there any questions? I'm gonna slow roll that just in casepresentative Duke has a question. Thank you so much. Uh, there are no questions, uh, we do have a motion on the table of do pass, uh, there's no one time to speak for or against the bill, uh, Representative Brown, would you like clothes for your bill? I'm closed a good vote. You're closed, appreciate a good vote. We have a motion to pass on the table. There discussion on the motion, see no discussion, all favor say aye, I'll pose. Congratulations, you have passed your bill. 32.19 seconds. I believe that's fine. You're an attorney. I would hate to to question at

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Unknown speaker 1:27:38

all. Uh, with that members, uh, house education is adjourned.

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Agenda

RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1709 Steele TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM; AND TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS IN THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM.

REGULAR AGENDA

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1710 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUBLIC SCHOOL RATING IN ANY ADVERTISING, PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL, OR COMMUNICATION DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC.

HB1727 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION TO PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE.

SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING CERTAIN ACTIONS RELATED TO EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.

SB373 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION.

HB1081 B. McKenzie TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES.

HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT.

HB1747 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PERMIT EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PARENTS TO BRING THEIR INFANTS SIX MONTHS OR YOUNGER TO WORK.

HB1761 D. Garner TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOME LIMITS FOR STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNTS IN THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR AND THEREAFTER.

SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW A PARENT TO REVIEW AND OPT OUT OF SELECTED LIBRARY MEDIA MATERIALS FOR HIS OR HER CHILD.

HB1864 Andrews TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN STUDENT INSTRUCTION; AND TO CREATE A STANDARDIZED FLEXIBLE SCHOOL CALENDAR SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.

SB90 J. English TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT AT EACH MEETING OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

HB1482 Gramlich TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A GED TEST AND RECEIVES A GED.

HB1492 Gramlich TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM.

SB425 J. English TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ENHANCED TRANSPORTATION; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

SB470 J. Dotson TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO CERTAIN STUDENTS IN A VIRTUAL SETTING TO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS.

SB515 J. Petty TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN EXISTING ARKANSAS HISTORY COURSE CONTENT GUIDELINES.

SB522 M. McKee TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW RELATED TO THE TUITION AND FEES PAID BY STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE ONLINE PROGRAMS.

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SB547 D. Sullivan TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF PARTICIPATING IN AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.

SB467 C. Penzo TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS OR CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS.

HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

HB1924 Puryear TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEKS.

HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A RECALL ELECTION AND PETITION FOR REMOVAL FOR A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

HB1940 Walker TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

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HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT OF 2015; AND TO ALLOW A STUDENT TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT.

SB484 Irvin TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SB504 Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT.

SB559 J. English TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021.

HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.

HB1825 Wooldridge TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENROLLED STUDENT TO EARN ONE UNIT OF CREDIT IN A COMPUTER SCIENCE OR COMPUTER SCIENCE-RELATED CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSE IN ORDER TO GRADUATE.

PENDING FISCAL IMPACT

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.

HB1962 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY.

HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR SATELLITE SCHOOL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

SB450 B. Davis TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION IN THE RELEVANT STANDARDS DURING THE ARKANSAS ACADEMIC STANDARDS REVISION CYCLE.

HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.

HB1990 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION.

SB572 J. Dotson TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS.

HB1977 Bentley TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIBRARIES ACT.

DEFERRED BILLS

Number Sponsor Subtitle

HB1027 D. Garner TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE TO MAKE A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION TO EACH EXISTING AND FUTURE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT.

HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID; AND TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL COUNSELOR TO RECEIVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING.

HB1031 D. Garner TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATION ACT OF 2025; AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH CURRICULUM IN ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS.

HB1239 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING.

HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED.

HB1528 McGruder TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL.

HB1539 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION CATEGORY OF FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

HB1490 Wardlaw TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND PROPERTY BELONGING TO A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL IN A HOME SCHOOL.

SB303 Dees TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

SB183 J. Dotson TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS PUBLIC SCHOOLS MAY PROVIDE TO STUDENTS.

HB1020 A. Collins TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING CATEGORY FOR STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RELATED SERVICES; AND TO CREATE THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ACT FUND.

HB1022 A. Collins TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

HB1023 A. Collins TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN FORGIVENESS AND THE LOAN REPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.

HB1144 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO COMPLY WITH THE SAME STATUTORY AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT.

HB1197 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN OUTDOOR PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, GAME, OR ACTIVITY FOR AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY DURING THE HOURS WHEN AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN DECLARED.

HB1541 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDING OF ANY TYPE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL.

HB1542 Wooten TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMIT EACH STUDENT WHO APPLIES FOR ADMISSION AND INTENDS TO COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING.

HB1755 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS

PREVENTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY.

Documents

Title	Type	Pages	Source
Agenda — EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE, Apr 7, 2025	Agenda	5	Official source ↗

Speakers

Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified

36 segments

Representative Steven Walker Unverified

25 segments

Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified

7 segments

Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified

41 segments

Speaker 23

3 segments

Speaker 43

3 segments

Speaker 42

2 segments

Representative Hope Duke Unverified

67 segments

Speaker 48

1 segment

Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified

14 segments

Chair Unverified

23 segments

Representative Stetson Painter Unverified

6 segments

Speaker 68

1 segment

Speaker 76

1 segment

Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified

6 segments

Representative Matt Brown Unverified

2 segments

Speaker 98

2 segments

Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified

3 segments

Speaker 107

1 segment

Susan Kazire Unverified

1 segment

Speaker 131

1 segment

Speaker 136

1 segment

Speaker 147

1 segment

Speaker 148

15 segments

Speaker 149

1 segment

Speaker 83

1 segment

Speaker 154

2 segments

Dennis Copeland Unverified

1 segment

Speaker 158

9 segments

Speaker 162

1 segment

Speaker 37

1 segment

Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified

2 segments

Speaker 169

1 segment

Hadley Huffaker Unverified

4 segments

Speaker 175

12 segments

Speaker 177

1 segment

Speaker 181

1 segment

Speaker 182

1 segment

Speaker 186

4 segments

Speaker 188

1 segment

Speaker 189

1 segment

Speaker 191

3 segments

Speaker 40

1 segment

Speaker 203

3 segments

Bill	Title	Sponsor	Status
HB1940 · 4 mentions in chapter, transcript, agenda Matched: “HB1940 Walker TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DI…”	TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY …	Walker	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1017 Act 904 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…D THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS. HB1017 A. Collins TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE…”	TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PAID MATERNITY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES; AND TO REQUIRE …	A. Collins	Notification that HB1017 is now Act 904
HB1020 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1020 A. Collins TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FR…”	TO REPEAL THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM; TO CREATE A NEW EDUCATION FUNDING …	A. Collins	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1023 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS. HB1023 A. Collins TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AN…”	TO AMEND THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM; AND TO AMEND THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LOAN …	A. Collins	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1025 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…EPAYMENT AMOUNTS UNDER THE STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM. HB1025 McGruder TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.…”	TO CREATE THE TEACHER FAIR DISMISSAL ACT OF 2025.	McGruder	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1027 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1027 D. Garner TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO…”	TO CREATE THE BRIGHTER START ACT OF 2025; AND TO REQUIRE THE TREASURER OF STATE …	D. Garner	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1030 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…RE ARKANSAS BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND PLAN ACCOUNT. Page 3 of 5 HB1030 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENF…”	TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO OBTAIN CERTIFICATION IN YOUTH …	T. Shephard	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1031 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1031 D. Garner TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATIO…”	TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS HEALTHY LIFESTYLE EDUCATION ACT OF 2025; AND TO ENSURE THE HEALTH …	D. Garner	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1081 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1081 B. McKenzie TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMEN…”	TO REPEAL ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES.	B. McKenzie	WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1139 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…NT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES. HB1139 B. McKenzie TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT. HB17…”	TO CREATE THE RELEASED TIME EDUCATION ACT.	B. McKenzie	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1144 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1144 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS…”	TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATING SCHOOL UNDER THE ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM ACCOUNT PROGRAM TO COMPLY …	Wooten	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1197 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO WHICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE SUBJECT. HB1197 S. Meeks TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN O…”	TO PROHIBIT SCHEDULING, HOSTING, OR REQUIRING AN OUTDOOR PRACTICE, SCRIMMAGE, GAME, OR ACTIVITY FOR AN …	S. Meeks	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1239 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…IC SCHOOLS ADDRESSES CERTAIN HEALTH ISSUES FACING STUDENTS. HB1239 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”	TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL CATEGORY …	A. Collins	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1242 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1242 J. Mayberry TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES A…”	TO AMEND THE MECHANISM BY WHICH SCHOOL NURSES ARE COMPENSATED.	J. Mayberry	Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1312 Act 909 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1312 Brooks TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUB…”	TO AMEND PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING AMOUNTS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.	Brooks	Notification that HB1312 is now Act 909
HB1482 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1482 Gramlich TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE RE…”	TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR A STUDENT WHO TAKES A …	Gramlich	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1490 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1490 Wardlaw TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUD…”	TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT RETURN TEMPORARILY ISSUED ITEMS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, …	Wardlaw	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1492 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1492 Gramlich TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-EN…”	TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE …	Gramlich	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
HB1528 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1528 McGruder TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CU…”	TO REQUIRE A REPORT CARD TO INCLUDE A STUDENT'S CURRENT READING GRADE LEVEL.	McGruder	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1539 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1539 A. Collins TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003;…”	TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003; AND TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL EDUCATION …	A. Collins	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1541 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…THE HOURS WHEN AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN DECLARED. HB1541 Wooten TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDI…”	TO REQUIRE A PRIVATE SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS STATE FUNDING OF ANY TYPE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION …	Wooten	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1542 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…TRANSPORTATION TO CERTAIN STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE SCHOOL. HB1542 Wooten TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL S…”	TO REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO ADMINISTER AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT; AND TO REQUIRE PRIVATE …	Wooten	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1709 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…Hope Duke RE-REFERRED TO COMMITTEE Number Sponsor Subtitle HB1709 Steele TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS P…”	TO AMEND THE HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM; AND TO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH …	Steele	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1710 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1710 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUB…”	TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM USING OR REFERENCING A PUBLIC SCHOOL RATING IN ANY ADVERTISING, …	Vaught	WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1727 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…MOTIONAL MATERIAL, OR COMMUNICATION DIRECTED TO THE PUBLIC. HB1727 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATIO…”	TO AMEND THE FUNDING AVAILABLE TO ADULT EDUCATION CHARTER SCHOOLS.	L. Johnson	WITHDRAWN BY AUTHOR
HB1755 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…COVER PRIVATE SCHOOL COSTS WITH STATE FUNDING. Page 4 of 5 HB1755 T. Shephard TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN…”	TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARKANSAS PREVENTION NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY.	T. Shephard	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1761 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1761 D. Garner TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE EST…”	TO INCREASE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INCOME LIMITS FOR STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATIONAL …	D. Garner	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1806 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1806 Vaught TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KI…”	TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM TRANSPARENCY FOR PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE TWELVE STUDENTS; AND TO ALLOW …	Vaught	Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1825 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1825 Wooldridge TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENRO…”	TO ALLOW A PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO REQUIRE AN ENROLLED STUDENT TO EARN ONE UNIT …	Wooldridge	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
HB1864 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1864 Andrews TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE…”	TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN STUDENT INSTRUCTION; AND TO …	Andrews	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
HB1874 Act 795 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1874 B. McKenzie AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP…”	AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT …	B. McKenzie	Notification that HB1874 is now Act 795
HB1903 Act 911 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…CATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS OR CHIROPRACTIC PHYSICIANS. HB1903 Walker TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE…”	TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH FLEXIBILITY REGARDING ALTERNATIVE …	Walker	Notification that HB1903 is now Act 911
HB1919 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1919 McAlindon TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPAREN…”	TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO …	McAlindon	Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1924 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1924 Puryear TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF E…”	TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ESTABLISH RULES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION …	Puryear	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1933 Act 912 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1933 McCollum TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOAR…”	TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A …	McCollum	Notification that HB1933 is now Act 912
HB1945 Act 913 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…NTAINS A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. HB1945 McCollum TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CH…”	TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS OPPORTUNITY PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE ACT; TO AMEND THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHOICE …	McCollum	Notification that HB1945 is now Act 913
HB1962 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1962 Vaught TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-P…”	TO PROHIBIT A SCHOOL FROM SERVING OR SELLING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING …	Vaught	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
HB1966 Act 914 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…SED FOOD ON THE SCHOOL CAMPUS DURING THE NORMAL SCHOOL DAY. HB1966 Barnett TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE…”	TO AUTHORIZE AN INCORPORATED TOWN OR A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS TO PETITION THE …	Barnett	Notification that HB1966 is now Act 914
HB1977 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…CY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO LEARNING MATERIALS. HB1977 Bentley TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIB…”	TO CREATE THE PROTECTING CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE IN LIBRARIES ACT.	Bentley	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1986 Act 794 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1986 Nazarenko CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLE…”	CONCERNING EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR CHILDREN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND CHILDREN OF FALLEN FIRST RESPONDERS.	Nazarenko	Notification that HB1986 is now Act 794
HB1990 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “HB1990 McAlindon TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION.”	TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HIGHER EDUCATION.	McAlindon	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
SB183 Act 724 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB183 J. Dotson TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT…”	TO AMEND THE UNIVERSAL ACT ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ACT; AND TO AMEND THE TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS …	J. Dotson	Notification that SB183 is now Act 724
SB303 Act 644 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB303 Dees TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVAT…”	TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN …	Dees	Notification that SB303 is now Act 644
SB352 Act 721 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB352 Stone TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SEC…”	TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS; AND TO PROHIBIT ANTISEMITISM IN STATE-SUPPORTED …	Stone	Notification that SB352 is now Act 721
SB373 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB373 Irvin TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION.”	TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS FINANCIAL EDUCATION COMMISSION.	Irvin	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
SB402 Act 725 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…O PAY FOR INCURRED COSTS FOR APPROVED PAID MATERNITY LEAVE. SB402 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCAT…”	TO PROHIBIT A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AN EDUCATIONAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE FROM REQUIRING OR TAKING …	C. Penzo	Notification that SB402 is now Act 725
SB425 Act 722 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…IC CHARTER SCHOOL TO IMPLEMENT A MOBILE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM. SB425 J. English TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE…”	TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ENHANCED TRANSPORTATION; AND TO DECLARE AN …	J. English	Notification that SB425 is now Act 722
SB450 Act 915 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB450 B. Davis TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE…”	TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE A HUMAN FETAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSION …	B. Davis	Notification that SB450 is now Act 915
SB470 Act 646 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB470 J. Dotson TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMIN…”	TO REQUIRE AN ADULT APPROVED TO OVERSEE THE ADMINISTRATION OF A STATEWIDE STUDENT ASSESSMENT TO …	J. Dotson	Notification that SB470 is now Act 646
SB484 Act 726 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…ANOTHER PUBLIC SCHOOL WITHIN HIS OR HER RESIDENT DISTRICT. SB484 Irvin TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON…”	TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS WHEREBY A VACANCY IS FILLED ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF …	Irvin	Notification that SB484 is now Act 726
SB504 Act 727 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB504 Irvin TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM…”	TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS RURAL PRECEPTORSHIP PROGRAM ACT.	Irvin	Notification that SB504 is now Act 727
SB515 Act 647 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB515 J. Petty TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETER…”	TO REQUIRE THAT A UNIT DEDICATED TO ARKANSAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES BE INCLUDED WITHIN …	J. Petty	Notification that SB515 is now Act 647
SB522 Act 648 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB522 M. McKee TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR…”	TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING THE ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR MATHEMATICS, SCIENCES, AND THE ARTS; AND …	M. McKee	Notification that SB522 is now Act 648
SB547 Act 728 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB547 D. Sullivan TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED S…”	TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A …	D. Sullivan	Notification that SB547 is now Act 728
SB572 Act 649 · 2 mentions in chapter, agenda Matched: “SB572 J. Dotson TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPAREN…”	TO CREATE THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC ACCESS TO …	J. Dotson	Notification that SB572 is now Act 649
SB607 · 2 mentions in transcript Matched: “bill mirrors um Senate Bill 607 that we have on the other end right now. Um, so this is a s…”	TO ESTABLISH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT INITIATES AND MAINTAINS A FOUR-DAY …	Crowell	Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
SB90 Act 902 · 2 mentions in agenda, chapter Matched: “…CHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003. SB90 J. English TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED…”	TO REQUIRE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT PUBLIC COMMENT …	J. English	Notification that SB90 is now Act 902
HB1022 · 1 mention in chapter Matched: “HB1022 A. Collins TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR…”	TO REPEAL PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE AWARDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OPEN-ENROLLMENT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.	A. Collins	Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
HB1719 Act 905 · 1 mention in agenda Matched: “AGENDA (Revised 4/7/25 @ 1:40 PM) Added HB1719 to Re-Referred to Committee House Committee on Education Mo…”	TO AMEND THE DAYS INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MATERNITY LEAVE DAYS APPROVED BY …	Vaught	Notification that HB1719 is now Act 905
HB1747 · 1 mention in chapter Matched: “HB1747 Vaught TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCH…”	TO CREATE THE BABIES AT SCHOOL ACT; AND TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PERMIT EMPLOYEES WHO …	Vaught	Recommended for study in the Interim by the …
SB467 Act 645 · 1 mention in chapter Matched: “SB467 C. Penzo TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER"…”	TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "HEALTHCARE PROVIDER" REGARDING STUDENT ATHLETE CONCUSSION EDUCATION TO INCLUDE CHIROPRACTORS …	C. Penzo	Notification that SB467 is now Act 645
SB559 Act 729 · 1 mention in chapter Matched: “SB559 J. English TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRAN…”	TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS MILITARY CHILD SCHOOL TRANSITIONS ACT OF 2021.	J. English	Notification that SB559 is now Act 729