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 0:00

House education will come to order. Thank you members for being patient. I know we all look forward to a long night together, but not in this committee, I hope. 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 joined us. We want to make sure that we respect the time that they've 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

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 0:36

are recognized to present your bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Stephen Walker, House District 27. So this bill mirrors Senate Bill 607 that we have on the other end right now. So this is a simple bill. All it does is takes Department of Education's existing rules for four-day school weeks and codifies them into law. This ensures our local districts know exactly what standards they must meet without having the goposts 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 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 interest must come first that's why we've included provisions that address accountability in this bill so any school operating on a four-day schedule that begins to underperform or receives a level five designation by the state board will not be permitted to continue at the four-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. Representative Walker has

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 2:01

presented the bill. Are there questions from committee?

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 2:06

Representative Gonzales-Werthin, you're recognized for a question. Yes. I was wondering what measures would be. I know the assessment measures, you mentioned that. So what would be the process? It would be immediately no more four-day? no no no so can you

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 2:24

can you go through that process all 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 four day weeks and so the department of ed has had since 1997 to figure out what rules to put in place for our full four-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 four-day weeks, that we get the final vote. They have to bring whatever the data is that supports whether four days are bad, good, whatever, they have to bring that to us, 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. 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 four days are not in the best interest of our kids. So if that's true, we've added a provision to what they've already established with their rules that basically say if a school district does a four-day schedule and they start underperforming, or they become a level five school district or they're already a level five school district in distress, then Department of Ed would have the right to revoke that from them. But as long as the school maintains or they improve like some of the data that I've been seeing, then schools are able to continue doing it the way the Department of Ed has established rules since 1997. Thank you. You're

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 4:13

welcome. Representative Walker, I've got a question on page 3. So page 3, I'm starting around line 15 where we talk about forfeiture of the ability to maintain a four-day school week. And maybe this kind of goes back to Representative Gonzalez-Werthin's question relative to performance. So the only preclusion for a school district to do a four-day week is if they're level 5, so in essence enough school, correct? So if they, because I see and in there on those following lines. So they have to, so would they have to be a level five school? The intent on

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 4:53

that would be they would lose the ability to continue doing a four-day school district if they were a level five. And to become a level five, the State Board of Education has to vote and determine that the

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 5:09

school district is level five. So let's hypothetically, and I don't like to deal with hypotheticals, but that's how we do things. Hypothetically, a school district is maintaining a consistency of being a D-rated school year after year. There's no increase in performance. There's no objective 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 have the privilege of being a

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 5:39

four-day school week? They would, and the reason for it, it makes it hard to put D schools, in my opinion, in this, because in the Delta areas or in the poor rural areas, it's really hard to advance to a C, B, A school or whatever. So we have really good school districts that might be at a D level, but it's because of the kids that may be in the area. If you're in an area where there's poverty and you're struggling to feed a kid or whatever the case may be, 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 four-day school district 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 five-day school district, they may still be a D school. A four-day school district, by the testimony I've heard 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 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 these school districts that might be able to advance to a C school down the road. And so I don't feel like we should squeeze them out of a four-day school district before that takes place. And, again, I've not seen any data that has shown that four-day school districts are bad. U of A has a study that shows that they're 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 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 would like a seat at the table. We should have the final vote over whatever it is. But we should be having these type of discussions together and not be dictated by just a state agency. I'm

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 7:59

certainly glad we're having discussions in the open because they're very valid, very relevant. You've talked about data. I'll recognize for any questions in a moment. We've talked a couple times about data. Is there somebody from the department who can come speak to that? Maybe because I think there probably could be some more questions from other members on that. If you would please introduce yourself for the record, and you're recognized. And

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 8:27

then Representative Mayberry, I'll recognize you for a question next. Sure. Thank you, Jacob Oliva, Department of Education. And thank you for giving me an opportunity to speak on a topic that I think is of great importance. Representative Walker has presented a bill that's saying what's mirrored in this bill is just mirrored what's in currently established rules from seven 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've been tasked with giving to do, and it's to make sure that every child has an opportunity, be in the best learning environment that works best for them. I struggle when we sit here and make excuses in saying that if you're in a poverty school or in a poor region of the state, that a D 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 four 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 five days a week. And I keep getting tagged about somebody that's been anti four days a week. First thing I want to say is I'm not opposed to four days a week. I believe in being innovative. I believe in being creative. What I've been advocating for is that we've established as a state a 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 the four 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 nape 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 four days a week. I'm not opposed to five. 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 10:51

It's not saying 143 is good enough. I pulled a

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 10:55

map. You asked for the data. Here's this picture, a snapshot of how many days of school every state requires. Seven states in this nation are below 178. The average is 180. We're already below the national average. 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. four 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 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 Education 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 four-day-a-week schools, the gyms open five days a week and sometimes six? I don't understand why an athlete can't just lift a couple heavier pounds four days a week for a few more minutes and say that's just as good. If that's as good for academics, nobody would be making that argument. A seven-and-a-half-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 under 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 fifth day, can we tutor them? Can we give them accelerated opportunities? I don't understand how we're not hearing in these four-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 your 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, then we're taking away opportunities for them to be another coursework. So I'm not opposed to a four-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 pass this, 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 school district takeover. To say that letting a failure factory, a cycle of D's 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. Rep. Mayberry, you're recognized for a question. Thank you. I have to say this is probably the bill that I have received the most emails about. These school districts, their families, not just faculty, but families are passionate about this. And I'm just going to tell you some of the things that 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 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 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 don't have time to pull up all the e-mails, but one of them said they had maybe two 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 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

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Speaker 23 15:39

high-quality teachers. So, as I stated before, I'm not against a four-day week. I'm an advocate for scheduling school. I don't know why we have to come in this state and fight to have school open. And I don't know why we have to

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 15:54

fight to say that going to school matters. Four day a week, the research says that recruitment for teachers, it is a great strategy. It also says kids aren't learning. So what are we making 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 four 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. Representative Duke, you recognize for a question? I'm sorry. I'm sorry she had a follow-up,

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 16:43

but I didn't see the light. I'm sorry. You recognize for your

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 16:47

follow-up. Okay. I didn't know if Representative Walker wanted to mention anything on that, but I'll just make another statement that was in there is that 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 teaching that curriculum in that time period. And 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 nap time. My kids would always come home from school and kindergarten and were 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 poen school district they were number one number one in the state for third grade math and a whole bunch of other I'll let you share 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 right number

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Speaker 43 18:13

one in a state that's rank 43 in the nation so when we start looking at national average

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 18:19

yes we have some outliers that's why I'd be amenable to meet with Rep Walker to make sure we can put these conditions because I do believe if you're in a district or a 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 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. Because I heard that. Poor kids in certain parts of our state, it's okay for them to be a D because that's all we expect

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Speaker 23 19:13

from them. So we should allow them to lose access to high quality instruction, high

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Speaker 43 19:20

quality learning environments. Sorry folks, I struggle with

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 19:23

that. And what you said is exactly why we need to offer different options because every area is different. 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 has a different need and that's why we've over time we've added four 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 four 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. So if that gets changed, it needs to be by our vote. We're elected by our constituents to serve 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 four models that we've allowed our school districts is actually affecting our kids back home, then I'm sure everybody at this table would not hesitate to take that option away. of ed and state board just tell us how school how everything's going to take place when we give 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 chair can i respond because now

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Speaker 42 20:57

i feel like i'm having a public debate and i don't know if that's your intention or not so i would prefer

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 21:03

that we just stick to answering questions uh if we could please questions for members if a member would like well there was of

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 21:09

some misleading information that I felt like I should be able to address.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 21:13

So I will allow you to address that after we catch another member question. I'll be happy to ask. I'll phrase it in the form of a question 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

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 21:29

questions. Representative Duke, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So we've had data referenced several times here, and I realize it's maybe hard in a committee setting to actually disperse the data, but I think that's relevant. So, 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 the education committee meetings over the interim and stuff. So can you give us data, the data, Secretary Leiva, that you have, or as concise as you can, because I realize there's a lot, and then 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, 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 um however you want to do it chair have them that's my question is can

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 22:18

you provide some data mr secretary you recognize i'd be happy to discuss data if there's one thing we have access to is a lot of data we can run the data and do correlations

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Speaker 48 22:31

and studies for the last few years however way you want us to send it to you based on Arkansas data.

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 22:37

Do you have anything as far as when we talk about the success or lack of success or whatever and in four-day schools in the country or other studies that have been done? Yes I can send you some national studies and

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Speaker 42 22:50

I often get cited and I think you're going to

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 22:53

get handed a study that OEP said that there wasn't a statistical difference between a four-day and a five-day but I also like to point out that that was data used on a college and career readiness assessment, not a criterion reference assessment, which some of the national studies look at. So I can follow up after this committee send that straight to

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 23:08

you. Well, I think that would be helpful, at least, I mean, I don't know if the other members would want it, but I would. I mean, would you agree that data, 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. 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 you are not

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 23:35

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 four days a week, but it does say they don't learn as much as they go five. And what they have also said is you may not see learning loss at the beginning, but over time, it drops significantly. And what 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 okay every single year. If there's anything we learned 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 okay. Do you have anything that you want

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 24:42

to add? I passed you what I'm using. It's by U of A, and the main point of that study is it contradicts the national studies out there that four-day school districts damage our kids. 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 deserves a further look and a further discussion instead of just being dictated. Representative Cozart, you're

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 25:11

recognized for a question. Okay. 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, I personally do not have one in my district. My district is only three, but I do have surrounding areas that have that, that I deal with. As a Garland County legislator, we meet with all seven of our districts. I'm sure a lot of other places do, but a lot of these guys have 10 school districts or more. But we hear from these people, and this is what some of them want. Some do not. Some want a five-day week. They like the five-day structure. I don't understand. I was just texting the Bismarck superintendent. I've talked to him quite often, his family or friend of mine, and he was saying 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 five-day school is an A-plus either, so it doesn't matter how many days you go and what you're going to get. Maybe there are more instruction going on in that five days. I doubt it. I think the instruction is pretty intense in the four days. I don't know. I've never been in one and set through it. I'm not an evaluator. I couldn't evaluate that. That's not my job and I wouldn't know it. Even when I was a school board member, I told them I do not want to go in a school classroom and evaluate. I would not know what they're talking about or what they're supposed to do. But we hear from these people and 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 going to 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 don't always look at data and say that's the thing. I look at what people are telling me and what it really, real lifetime, is what I'm hearing. And I think that's what Representative Walker has seen, too. Wouldn't you agree? 100 percent.

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Chair Unverified 27:38

Thank you. That was my statement. Thank you. Representative Painter,

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 27:45

you're recognized for a question. Oh, all right. You know, I'm going to form this into question, but I just have a problem with, you know, telling our schools, Viola, and 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, your A-plus is not good because we're 43rd, I think is a little upsetting. But like Representative Kosar said, wouldn't you agree, Walker, that if local control, if we're wanting our schools to do four days and it's working,

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Speaker 68 28:18

let them have the option to do that. Wouldn't you agree? I would.

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 28:23

If we're not 100% sure that it's a negative impact on kids, we should not be taking local control away. A follow-up?

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 28:32

You recognize me. You know, we've talked about teachers and stuff like this. Have you heard from the four-day schools that, you know, I know we focus on students, but we also got to have somebody to teach them? And is it not helping that, especially in rural areas where it's hard to find teachers, to use a four-day as an incentive to help get folks there?

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 28:54

I know the surveys and data that I've been seeing across the board, whether it supports four days or it's against four days, one thing that, 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 retention, you have happy teachers in the classroom, and that reflects it on the kids.

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Representative Stetson Painter Unverified 29:12

Amen to that. I appreciate the chair's latitude. Thank

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 29:17

you, Mr. Chair. Are there additional questions from members? Mr. Secretary, was there additional

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 29:24

information you wanted to give? I just want to clarify when Representative Walker says that the legislators should be making these decisions, I agree. This is why I go back to, 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 was way above and beyond a rule 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 four-day-a-week. Now, I can go and

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Speaker 23 30:24

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

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 30:32

that if they submit that they're on an alternative calendar, a traditional calendar, a four-day-a-week calendar, and they met their hours, they have the ability to do it. Seeing no additional questions from the

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 30:48

committee, we do have several folks sign up to speak on the bill. CEO Secretary of Leave has already spoken. We have next Ryan Halbert. I will do my best to pronounce everybody's names correctly. If you would, please, sir, introduce yourself for the record and you're recognized. Yes, my name

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Speaker 39 31:13

is Ryan Halbert, superintendent of Powson-Willy School District. You're recognized, superintendent.

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Chair Unverified 31:19

So I'm here to advocate for the families in my district. I will tell you that Palestine Weekly benefits heavily from school choice. Last I checked, roughly 60% of our families choose school choice into our district. We are on a four-day calendar. I sent a survey out the Friday before spring break, and I believe I had 218 respondents to this point. 95% are in favor of our current calendar. That speaks volumes to me. Also, one of the questions on my survey was, do you live in our district or outside of our district? 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. If I thought for a minute that it was harmful for our students, I wouldn't do it. We have programs on Mondays that offer an opportunity for our elementary students to come back to campus. We use play-based learning. We use project-based learning 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-need students. I will also say that I did not choose a four-day week. I inherited a four-day week. This is my second year at Palestine Weekly. I had my reservations when I came in but after I see what our teachers do and our children do in that system 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 district. I would like to paint a picture for you as to what goes on on that Monday that we're out of school. On that Monday, we've got kids getting intervention. We do have athletes practicing. We have high school students at work. We have partnership with some intern opportunities for them. I think that the four-day option just provides more of a choice

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 33:35

for our parents and our families. Are there questions for Vice Chair McKenzie,

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 33:43

who you recognize? You don't probably have this information handy, but you might know it. Just 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

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Chair Unverified 33:57

scorecards? So at the last one, we do have our elementary is a D school. Our high school is a C school. I will say this, too, because 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 falling from a C to a D at the elementary level, I believe, on an average of six points per year. The year that they went to the four-day week, which I think is the last year that we have a school grade, they slowed that to three points. We've put systems in place since I've been in the superintendent's seat that I think we will see a huge reversal going towards a B and an A. And our high school is one point from a B.

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 34:40

Within your elementary, do you have interventions set up on your

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Chair Unverified 34:43

off school day? We have interventions during the school 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 have targeted interventions for the

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 34:58

kids that come there, yes. Are there additional questions? Representative Brown, you're

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Representative Matt Brown Unverified 35:05

recognized for a question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Superintendent, how many, I mean, what percentage or approximately how many kids come on your off day?

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Chair Unverified 35:13

So we have about 60 kids that show up on that off day. There are 420 students in that elementary setting. Thank you.

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 35:26

Representative Gonzalez-Worthing, you're recognized. Yes, 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

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Chair Unverified 35:39

21st century director would be a better student to answer that question for you, but I'll tell you what I've seen. We have science labs. I believe the curriculum that we use is called Grossology, which provides them with, this doesn't feel like the setting to say this, but I will say that the lesson that I witnessed was over boogers. And so that's, the kids love it, though. The kids, and they don't have that on our curriculum the other days. They don't use crossology. We have a program called Age of Learning that we use throughout the school week, and it gives us a chance to diagnose what five areas of the science of reading our students are lacking in the most. The teachers create activities targeting those kids and those weaknesses. you recognize you also mentioned interns I believe yes ma'am okay

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 36:49

we have we have quite a

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Chair Unverified 36:55

few kids in our district the high school that work we have a few different intern opportunities that they partner with my counselor the high school has set up 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

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 37:12

working outside of the school. Okay. Yes. Representative Duke, you recognize. Thank

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 37:21

you, Mr. Chair. Thank you for being here and sharing your story. I appreciate that. Could you tell me, do you have any idea, have you done a survey on what the students who are not there on that fifth 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 fifth day? Thank

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Chair Unverified 37:42

you. Yeah, so I have not sent out a survey to ask what they're doing. I will say we're a small community, and so I do know a lot of those students are with family members.

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Speaker 98 37:55

I'll be honest with you, one of the biggest complaints that I got back on the survey is they asked that

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Chair Unverified 38:02

we don't do things on that Monday. I don't like that because I want to give that opportunity for our families, but oftentimes they go on trips. They go to deer camp. They go to duck camp. Things like that. What was the

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 38:14

second part of the question? Your sports teams, what do they do? Do they do a fifth day or do

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Chair Unverified 38:20

they just do the four days? Yeah, so our athletic teams have the option. I believe most of them do practice on that Monday that we're off. I don't know that my volleyball practiced every Monday, but every

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Speaker 98 38:32

other team practices on Monday.

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Chair Unverified 38:41

Are there additional questions about the committee? Representative

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Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified 38:47

Barnett, you're recognized. Thank you, Chair. Thank you, Superintendent Halbert, for coming today and sharing with us the benefits of the four-day week within your school district. 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, your school district has experienced growth. And I do have students from within my district that attend your school district via school choice. I wanted to know, do you think there's been any benefits in terms of teacher retention and staff retention with the four-day week for your district?

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Chair Unverified 39:31

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

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 40:34

Seeing no additional questions, thank you for your time. Thank you. Next up on the list is Susan Kisari. Hopefully I pronounced that correctly. It's okay. I've heard it pronounced every

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Speaker 107 40:46

way. Do the best I can. I tried to

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 40:50

get my husband to take my name. If you would, please introduce yourself to the record and

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Susan Kazire Unverified 40:54

let us know where you're from, and then you're recognized to speak. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chair. My name is Susan

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 40:59

Kazire. I am the superintendent of Poen School District. Prior to that, I was at Bismarck School District for 16 years, and we both implemented the four-day school district at the same time. I would like to begin with some of the key benefits of the four-day school week. Improved student achievement, reduced burnout for students and teachers, enhanced student and teacher morale, better 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 four-day models, and this is impacting 5% of our student population. You heard Secretary Oliva mention the RAND report. Let me tell you why the RAND report doesn't reflect rural Arkansas. Arkansas isn't Idaho, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. RAN 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 four-day helps 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 four-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 Secretary Oliva is the first one to say that. The four-day week fits our way of life. Faith, family, and flexibility. 95.7% of our community and parents support the four-day week, and over 99% of our faculty and staff. Poen Elementary is ranked number one in growth across the state. Although I'm talking about the elementary, we were 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 Malvern 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 if i can just just quickly with time on task i do want to point out that although a five-day school does six 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, that extra recess. I mean, those are the things that are being cut out from the five-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, the students are able to go in and have that full time of unprotected 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. And I do just kind of want to make a statement. 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 four-day schools, that all the four-day schools were D's and F's, and that is a big mistruth. Right now, as of the last data that we received, 1.7% of the four-day schools are A's, 17.2% are B's, 50% are C's, 25% D's, 5% F's. The Ds and Fs, 30%. And if you talk about all the schools in Arkansas, 33% are Ds and Fs. So our four-day schools are out-achieving the five-day schools. Talking about Arkansas being 43rd, 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're recognized for a question. I'll just do this with everybody.

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 46:44

So I'd love to know your low-income or free and reduced lunches by percentage, if you

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 46:50

know it. Our percentage? Yeah. We run around 64%. Do you know

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 46:54

your scorecards off the top of your head? Yeah,

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 47:00

your statewide score. Our letter grades? Yes. Right now we're Bs, but I anticipate when our new letter grades come out, which should be any time, our elementary will definitely be an A and our high school should

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Speaker 43 47:11

be a B. Okay. And then on your

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 47:14

day off, what percentage or description of programs that take place on those days off?

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 47:18

We don't because we are literally the poorest school district in the state. We receive the least amount of money for our millage, and we don't have a 21st century grant, and we receive very little in federal funds. So honestly, two reasons for that. Number one 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 thank you I wish we did representative Duke you recognize for a question thank you Mr. Chair thank you for being here congratulations on your hard work that you've done in your school thank you very much a couple of questions just because i want to understand a little bit better what these um 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 at spring break which is the you know mandated time period the two weeks at christmas just like the others we chose monday as the day that we 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 uh 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 is thanksgiving it's a week i'm sorry yes ma'am okay thank you um also you kind of got my attention with the extra recess you say you've removed the extra no 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 were there the difference in a lot of the if you're saying talking about a five-day school week a lot of the difference in the time is you know if you added back in a 30-minute lunchtime five minutes between each class period um you know 30 minutes out at recess i'm just saying that you You know, that's some of the difference between a four-day and a five-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, an extra day of the lunch period, an extra day of the, 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 think maybe. I think maybe I understand what you're saying. My final question, and I think I asked, well, there's kind of two parts. It's the same piece. I asked the other gentleman, so can you tell me what your sports teams look like? Yes. And then also, do you know what your students are doing on that day? I mean, you're not there. Yes. Do you know what's going on with those kids out in the community, in their homes, things like that? Yes. We do offer, 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. 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 with that. Some of our students that need to get their volunteer hours, they use that day to get their volunteer hours. We have the little grill across the road from our school district. You know, a few of our students work right there at the grill, so if you're there, it's wonderful, and you can visit with some of the kids. 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 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. You know, if you have things 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 attendance to improve so much with our 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. 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 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 something 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 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

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 54:02

represent mayberry you're recognized for a question thank you mr chair thank you my superintendent proud of the school and all that you all are doing um so 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 poen and then tell

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 54:21

me what your school district population is okay i believe we have around 260 people that actually live in poen so but one

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Speaker 131 54:29

is justin moore so that's right justin moore so

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 54:32

y'all have heard that country singer so you know well so we have 260 but one is famous and then our school district is growing so we are very blessed for that we have about 540 students so we are up about 40 students this year so very thankful okay well that leads

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Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified 54:50

me to it 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 some of these smaller school districts, the way our adequacy and all is based on a 500 population school district. And I've heard that this has been very helpful to keep some of our small rural school districts 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 these small rural districts so that you can keep education close to home sure

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Speaker 136 55:39

absolutely well first of all the four-day school week is a wonderful recruitment tool

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 55:45

for students just like it is for teachers so that has really helped us as well the cost savings number one you're saving on bus you're saving the bus driver for the fifth day for our five 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 for that day and then the utilities you're talking about utilities food costs for the cafeteria and, you know, the additional, 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, 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, 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 Fort A at both school districts we were not out to cut salaries you know especially for our classified because we value our classified staff and these are the folks that are really doing some of the hardest jobs um 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 they're our 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 poen 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 and if we get the opportunity i will remember this there is a fiscal impact to this because if you go back to a five 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 four day but i know there are other school districts that the main reason they started the four day was because you know they needed help fiscally so if we you know pull that away that's going to be a big concern for them we we may push some you know smaller schools into fiscal distress Representative Gonzales-Werling, you recognize.

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 58:54

Thank you, Chair. I was curious, you mentioned that there's more planning time for the teachers. Yes, ma'am. And so I was curious as to, have you seen any maybe additional creativeness, innovativeness? I'm thinking about 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

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Representative Hope Duke Unverified 59:20

you PLCs professional learning communities you are talking my language because that is 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 poen 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 a team of course we're small so you know there's only going to be two of us that might be teaching second grade but you know we're working on a unit together about you know say wells 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 going to you know have you do something in music where you're going to do you know some kind of unit on it then we're going to 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'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. Next up on the list, we have Mr. Larry Newsome. I think they had to head out. Okay. Moving on,

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:01:26

Mr. Jerry Streisner. Mr. Strachner, thanks for being here. Appreciate you. If you would, please introduce yourself for the record. Let us know where you're from, and then you're recognized.

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Speaker 147 1:01:34

All right. I'm Gerald Strachner, Superintendent, Ouachita

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Speaker 148 1:01:42

River. So good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for allowing me for this opportunity to testify on behalf of the positive changes that we're seeing with the implementation of the four-day calendar. this was our first year to implement this four-day week but we studied this model for three years before implementing we had three goals before 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 and some areas 100 percent approval. We're seeing positive changes already in our interim data with the Atlas system and I want to 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 the secretary's work the department and this body for changing our assessment system because now we're seeing growth in most every area in our school district as a result of a new assessment system but also implementing the four-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 four-day week. We're certainly not perfect, and we don't claim to be. When we learn to do better, we really try to do better. But if you ask me if I would go back to five days versus four after seeing the effort with all of our stakeholders this school year, I would say no. That's because 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 1 instruction, using data to drive decisions, and our students are more prepared to take the Atlas exam at the end of this month and moving forward. Four-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 four-day week. I also want to share a couple things with you guys. First, we're 73% free and reduced. We have struggled with retaining quality staff, especially in critical shortage areas like special ed. But since implementing the four-day week, we're now getting applications to come to our district as far as Fort Smith. And that's an hour and a half one way. Also,

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Speaker 149 1:05:27

I want to share with you that

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Speaker 148 1:05:30

we stay open every day in our district five days. We have extra help, Tier 2 intervention services on Monday. We transport, we feed our students, we protect them with deputized 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 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 want to say thank you i also want to say thank you to our staff and students for all their hard work that they've displayed this year in meeting the challenge of implementing a new calendar i just want to ask for your support to continue to continued support and helping us make good local decisions because we truly know Partnering with our families, 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 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 better we do on our current assessment system, That's our focus. The better we'll do nationally is what I've been told. So we're excited about that, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you, Mr. Straycher. We appreciate

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Chair Unverified 1:07:06

your other questions for him. Vice Chair McKenzie, you recognize? He answered my

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Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified 1:07:12

free and reduced lunch question, so I appreciate that. So you mentioned some of the level two interventions. You also bus and feed kids. What percentage of your student body comes to

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Speaker 148 1:07:23

your school 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, 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, et cetera. So currently we see elementary about 32 and then high school age about 18. So 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

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Speaker 83 1:07:58

your letter grade yes sir so uh i've said

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Speaker 148 1:08:02

the same thing this morning 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 c during aspire 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 a state moving forward because we're assessing what we're teaching and so I think we'll get off

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Speaker 154 1:08:37

the C eventually, but you know, there's things in my life that I'm C and that's okay too. Thank you. Yes, sir. Are there additional questions from

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:08:49

the committee? Mr. Strachan, as always, we appreciate you. Yes, sir. Thank you for your time. Next up, we have Dennis Copeland. Mr. Copeland, if you would please introduce yourself. Let us

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Dennis Copeland Unverified 1:09:11

know where you're from and you're recognized. Thank you, Mr.

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Speaker 158 1:09:13

Chair. My name is Dennis Copeland. I'm the director of the Arkansas Rural Ed Association. And I'm here to support the member school districts. There's 47 of them. Out of the 239 school districts, we have 222 that are members of our organization. That's been a lot of hard work. We have a lot of bigger schools. We have a lot of schools that go five-day. We have a lot of schools, 47 of them, that go four days. And there's some alternate school difference that they go to as well. So during this time, I've been contacted many times from different school districts about this particular bill. And I want to thank Representative Walker for bringing this bill. I think he's 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 care that you have for our students here in Arkansas. I was a teacher for 22 years and a coach. I was a six-year principal and then 10 years as a superintendent, so I've had a lot of practical experience with all this stuff. I've been with Arkansas Rural Ed for seven years now. I was the assistant director for four, and I've been the director for three. We are a non-profit organization. If you guys want to go on our website, ArkansasRuralEd.com, you can see that we give scholarships. You can see all of our member schools that are members. You can see the different folks that we do. We have superintendents of the year from the north of I-40 and from the south. We give eight scholarships per year. Employee child, which is $1,000 for four years. Graduating senior, $1,000 for four years they can renew. Vocational, we have a two-year scholarship there for $1,000 each year. And we have a paraprofessional scholarship for two years and $1,000 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. some of the things that we do for our organization. I'm giving you an example of what we do and to let you know why I'm here today. We are advocates for not just the small schools, but all the schools. And, you know, I'm here talking about not just these small schools. I'm talking about everybody that's a member of our organization. We try to work with legislators. I know most of you and have tried to get to know some of you a little better, and it's been a little more difficult with going to the Senate ed and then coming down here too. But I think you all have the kids' best interests at heart, and I appreciate that. We provide a united voice. We are members of the National Rural Ed Association and other state affiliates 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. Again, thank you for giving me a chance to come and visit with you. And if there's anything

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Speaker 162 1:12:52

I can do to help, I'd obviously try

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:12:56

to do that. Other question here, Mr. Copeland,

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Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified 1:12:59

Representative Gonzalez-Worthing, you recognize? Yes. I was wanting to know about the number of schools that you have that are part of your association that are on four-day and five-day school weeks.

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Speaker 158 1:13:12

47 are on four-day, and I'm not sure because there's some that are on alternative full year and stuff, but most

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Speaker 37 1:13:19

of them are five-day. Okay. Yes, ma'am.

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Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified 1:13:27

Representative Vought, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry, I've been running back and forth from agriculture to here, and 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 group think about the memo that was sent out?

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Speaker 158 1:13:45

I did see the memo. I'm not sure all of our people got to see that. I think the only people that really got to see it

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Speaker 169 1:13:53

were the 47 that received it. Okay, so not all schools

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:14:02

received that memo then? Not to my knowledge, no. Okay. Seeing no additional questions, thank you for your time, Mr. Coppola. Thank you. Next signed up is Tristan Nadel. Tristan's not here. He's gone? Okay. Next we have three young ladies, Hadley, Kenna, and Eden. I hope I pronounced that right. I'll be glad to take all three of y'all at the same time. So if you would please just introduce yourselves for the record, Representative Nazarenko is going to set you up there with microphones. Just let us know your name, where you're from, and then

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:14:37

you're recognized to speak. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm Hadley Huffaker. I'm Kennedy Cusick. And I'm Eden Cusick. So I guess I'll start us off today. Hello, my name is Hadley Huffaker, and I'm a 7th grader at Lincoln Middle School. I wanted to come today with my administration to talk to all of you about why keeping a four-day school week an option for school districts is not only important to me, my family, the teachers, and

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Speaker 175 1:15:03

so many other families. It is the right thing to do. My parents, like many of you, were

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:15:10

unsure about the four-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 are huge supporters of it. Like this?

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Speaker 181 1:15:23

That's perfect, yes. Thank you. Hold it. Like that.

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Speaker 182 1:15:31

Is this good? Would you like me to restart? You're good. Go

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Speaker 175 1:15:37

ahead and just continue. Thank you. Okay. My parents, like many of you, were unsure about the four-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 are huge supporters of it. It has not only improved attendance and allowed students to be more engaged in class, but it 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 is 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 seven months. She is able to schedule these appointments on Mondays, resulting in less missed school for her. If we attended five 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

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:16:50

our day off, which allows them not to miss class time as well. I would also like to add in that students

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Speaker 175 1:16:58

in our middle school and high school do travel sports, which causes them to be gone Saturdays and Sundays. And if we want the additional five days a week, they would not get proper sleep Because I know that one of my best friends, she goes all the way to Oklahoma almost every weekend, 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 wouldn't be able to get the correct like time she needed to just like decompress from those sports. After attending for almost two years after attending four 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. I

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Speaker 186 1:18:03

also have something to say, And it's that I would also like to talk about the four-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 three-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 didn't have Mondays to go see them and 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 had the weekends and Mondays to catch up on a ton of missed work,

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Speaker 188 1:19:19

and so that's got me caught up. Thank

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Speaker 189 1:19:24

you. Thank you. Also, another thing that went up is attendance and grades in our school. First, attendance has gone up a

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Speaker 191 1:19:34

lot because I feel like 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 up grades and that kind of stuff so that also gets their attendance 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 students have been well-rested and have a fresh mind, they can do better in school. Like how, for instance, whenever I've been gone for a few doctor's appointments, whenever I couldn't schedule them on the Mondays, I could 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 B's last year, and compared to this year, I have all A's. And that's kind of it. Thank you, ladies.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:20:43

Representative Cozart, I believe you had a question for one of the young ladies.

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:20:48

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Ladies, I just kind of have a question in general, I guess, for all three of you can you can answer but being from a rural school y'all have a lot of things and 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 and I'm sure y'all have the same thing you may have animals that you have to tend to in the days or are you work on something else so I'm not sure but did you think that the four 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 think that would help help help you with that extra day to

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Speaker 175 1:21:42

do farm work or something like that uh yes sir so i actually show um for our washington county and the extra four days has like we've had it for almost two years now and it has helped extremely with my show schedule and me working 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 so I got the opportunity to move up to junior high this year and um with that i couldn't like change my schedule as a seventh grader so on the mondays i would practice with junior high every monday and it helped me got caught up so i could play in games with them and that extra monday has helped extremely

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:22:33

with on that too so wouldn't you say that the time that you're spending with your animals is just really another leg of school work because that does go into FFA and that type of skills that I used to have was 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

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Hadley Huffaker Unverified 1:22:58

that for that. Yes, sir. Yeah, so you aren't, like, eligible for FFA until you're in eighth grade. So I, for

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Speaker 175 1:23:06

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

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Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified 1:23:32

do think the Mondays help with that part. Thank you for those answers. That's exactly what I want to say. And the farming communities, that's what it takes. I hate to say what my dad did, Mr. Chair, but my dad went to school in the winter when it was so cold, and in the summers they actually did not have school. Now, that's been back in the 30s, so that's been almost 100 years ago, but I just remember those times. So farming and farm communities are very needed for the kids to have that time too. thank you hadley kenna and eden for sharing uh sharing what you did and

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:24:05

you're very brave to come up here so we really appreciate your time very much thank you for your time thank you thank you we have one additional person signed up uh shanna shanna hurst oh i'm sorry okay We have no one else signed up to speak on the bill.

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Speaker 40 1:24:32

The bill's sponsor is not here. Is he? There

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:24:45

we are. So you are recognized to close for your bill, should you choose to?

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Representative Steven Walker Unverified 1:25:02

so like i started off um this is a house bill version of what's of a senate bill on the senate end i just got word that we're looking at we're having some discussions on the senate end so at this time i'd like to pull the bill so we can um have have a little bit more time on these discussions if that's okay with the committee.

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:25:23

So just to clarify, you intend to pull down HB 1940 for additional discussion and perhaps submitting on the Senate end with 607? Correct. 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. 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. So, but I will recognize you, Representative Brown, for a Senate bill which I don't know the number of. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I think I

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Speaker 203 1:25:59

did say 30 seconds, to be fair. Matt Brown, House District 55. Colleagues, myself and Representative Barnett are alums of the math and science school down in Hot Springs, the state's only residential high school. 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 classes to students who are not in the school. This bill would simply give the U of A 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

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Representative Keith Brooks Chair Unverified 1:26:38

to answer any questions. Motion to pass. Are there questions for Representative Brown? Motion. It is Senate Bill 515. Oh, I'm sorry, 522. I'm sorry, 522? I'm sorry, Senate Bill 522. For Senator McKee? For Senator McKee, yes, sir. Perfect, okay. Senate Bill 522. Are there any questions? I'm going to slow roll that just in case Representative Duke has a question. Thank you so much. There are no questions. We do have a motion on the table of do pass. There's no one to speak for or against the bill. Representative Brown, would you like to close for your bill? I'm close. Appreciate a good vote. You're close. Appreciate a good vote. We have a motion due passed on the table. There's a discussion on the motion. Seeing no discussion, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed, congratulations. You have passed your bill. 32.19 seconds. I don't believe you. That's fine. You're an attorney. I would hate to question it all. With that, members, House education is adjourned. That's fine. Thank you.

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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

41 segments

Representative Steven Walker Unverified

28 segments

Representative Justin Gonzales Unverified

7 segments

Representative Julie Mayberry Unverified

42 segments

Speaker 23

5 segments

Speaker 43

3 segments

Speaker 42

2 segments

Representative Hope Duke Unverified

73 segments

Speaker 48

1 segment

Representative Bruce Cozart Unverified

15 segments

Chair Unverified

22 segments

Representative Stetson Painter Unverified

6 segments

Speaker 68

1 segment

Speaker 39

1 segment

Representative Brit McKenzie Unverified

7 segments

Representative Matt Brown Unverified

2 segments

Speaker 98

2 segments

Representative Lincoln Barnett Unverified

2 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

1 segment

Dennis Copeland Unverified

1 segment

Speaker 158

10 segments

Speaker 162

1 segment

Speaker 37

1 segment

Representative DeAnn Vaught Unverified

2 segments

Speaker 169

1 segment

Hadley Huffaker Unverified

5 segments

Speaker 175

11 segments

Speaker 181

1 segment

Speaker 182

1 segment

Speaker 186

3 segments

Speaker 188

1 segment

Speaker 189

1 segment

Speaker 191

3 segments

Speaker 40

1 segment

Speaker 203

2 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