Arkansas Code
Subchapter 6 - Postsecondary Preparatory Programs
§ 6-16-601. Authority — Definitions

(a) As used in this subchapter:
(1) “College and career readiness assessment” means a set of criterion-referenced measurements of a student's acquisition of the knowledge and skills the student needs to be successful in future endeavors, including:
(A) Successfully completing credit-bearing, first-year courses at a postsecondary institution; and
(B) Embarking on a chosen career;

(2)
(A) “College and career readiness benchmark” means the minimum score on a college and career readiness assessment in mathematics or English language arts.
(B) College and career readiness benchmarks are determined by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board of Education;

(3) “Eligible student” means a public school student in Arkansas who:
(A) Is enrolled in any of grades eight through eleven (8-11);
(B) Is identified through a college and career readiness assessment as scoring below the college and career readiness benchmark in mathematics or English language arts;
(C) Has received the counseling required under § 6-16-602; and
(D) Desires to enroll in postsecondary education;

(4) “Placement test” means a test for entrance to postsecondary education that is either:
(A) Approved by the State Board of Education; or
(B) Designated by the Division of Higher Education; and

(5) “Postsecondary preparatory program” means an intensive program approved under this subchapter that is focused on preparing students for entry level postsecondary work in the areas of mathematics, English, and reading based on identified needs for college enrollment and placement.

(b)
(1) The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules under which the following may operate postsecondary preparatory programs in Arkansas:
(A) School districts;
(B) Institutions of higher education; or
(C) A partnership of a school district and an institution of higher education.

(2) The rules shall include without limitation:
(A) The number and location of sites for postsecondary preparatory programs, if necessary;
(B) The minimum and maximum class sizes for postsecondary preparatory programs;
(C) That a school district may use Enhanced Student Achievement Funding received under § 6-20-2305 to operate and support a postsecondary preparatory program; and
(D) The forms and procedures necessary to implement this subchapter.


(c) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall:
(1) Approve content guides for postsecondary preparatory programs with assistance from the Division of Higher Education; and
(2)
(A) Approve or disapprove the annual application of a postsecondary preparatory program after:
(i) Reviewing evidence of the postsecondary preparatory program's performance and success; and
(ii) Giving priority for approval and funding to a postsecondary preparatory program operated by a partnership between a school district and an institution of higher education.

(B) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall not approve an application under this subdivision (c)(2) unless the postsecondary preparatory program meets the criteria under this subchapter and established by State Board of Education rules.


(d)
(1) In collaboration with the Division of Higher Education, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall collect and analyze the following data from postsecondary preparatory programs:
(A) The total number of participants;
(B) The number of participants who were eligible for free and reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act;
(C) The total number of participants in each curriculum area identified in § 6-16-602;
(D) The progress of participants monitored in the postsecondary preparatory program through the use of college and career readiness assessments;
(E) The placement test scores of participants;
(F) The number of participants who enrolled in postsecondary preparatory programs in Arkansas and who:
(i) Scored lower than the statewide minimum scores established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for college placement; or
(ii) Scored at or higher than the statewide minimum scores established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for college placement;

(G) The number and type of postsecondary preparatory programs approved;
(H) The school operating the postsecondary preparatory programs approved; and
(I) The amount of funding the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education distributed to each postsecondary preparatory program.

(2) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall:
(A) Store the student data collected under this subsection in the Arkansas Public School Computer Network;
(B) Present the data analysis under this subsection in the annual school performance reports as required under § 6-15-1402; and
(C) Annually release to the General Assembly the data collected under this subsection after removing any personally identifiable student information.

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