Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104) › Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206) › Chapter 15 - EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS AND QUALITY GENERALLY (§§ 6-15-101 — 6-15-3204) › Subchapter 29 - ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (§§ 6-15-2901 — 6-15-2918) › Section 6-15-2911 - Student-focused learning system

(a)
(1)
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall collaborate with public school districts to transition to a student-focused learning system to support success for all students.
(2)
As part of a public school district's student-focused learning system, the public school district shall annually use multiple academic measures to identify students in need of additional support or acceleration to personalize learning in order for students to achieve their grade-level expectations and individual growth.
(3)
(A)
Academic measures shall include statewide student assessment results.
(B)
Academic measures may include without limitation:
(i)
Subject grades;
(ii)
Student work samples; and
(iii)
Local assessment scores.
(b)
(1)
Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, each student, by the end of grade eight (8), shall have a student success plan developed by school personnel in collaboration with parents and the student that is reviewed and updated annually.
(2)
The student success plan shall, at a minimum:
(A)
Guide the student along pathways to graduation;
(B)
Address accelerated learning opportunities;
(C)
Address academic deficits and interventions; and
(D)
Include college and career planning components.
(3)
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year:
(A)
Each student's student success plan, or the student's individualized education program, if applicable, shall include the recommended sequence of courses for successful completion of a diploma pathway selected by the student;
(B)
(i)
A student success plan shall be sufficiently flexible to allow the student to, with the written approval of a parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student, change his or her diploma pathway.
(ii)
A change made to a student's diploma pathway under subdivision (b)(3)(B)(i) of this section shall be structured to ensure that the student will:
(a)
Meet the high school graduation requirements for the student's chosen diploma pathway or the requirements of the student's individualized education program, if applicable; and
(b)
Be qualified for admission to a postsecondary educational institution or to enter the workforce; and
(C)
(i)
Each student's student success plan shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to identify the courses to be taken each year until all required core courses are completed.
(ii)
Upon completion of the review required under subdivision (b)(3)(C)(i) of this section, the student's student success plan shall be signed by the:
(a)
Student;
(b)
Student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student; and
(c)
School counselor.
(iii)
Before revising a student success plan under subdivision (b)(3)(C)(i) of this section, a school counselor or person acting in the equivalent role of a school counselor shall meet with the student's parent, legal guardian, or persons standing in loco parentis to the student either in person or virtually to explain the possible impacts the revisions to the plan might have on the student's graduation requirements and postsecondary education goals.
(iv)
Any revisions to a student success plan shall be approved in writing by the student's parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to the student.
(4)
An individualized education program for a student with a disability, identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act,
20 U.S.C. § 1400
et seq., meets the requirements of this section if the individualized education program:
(A)
Addresses academic deficits and interventions for students not meeting standards-based academic goals at an expected rate or level; and
(B)
Includes a transition plan that addresses college and career planning components.
(5)
The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement this section that include without limitation requirements for the development and review of a student success plan if a student is enrolled for the first time in or transfers to a public school district in the state during or after the student completes grade eight (8).
(c)
Public school districts shall use data from college and career readiness assessments to:
(1)
Update student success plans;
(2)
Assist students with:
(A)
College and career readiness skills;
(B)
Course selection in high school; and
(C)
Improved academic achievement;
(3)
Provide the basis for counseling concerning postsecondary preparatory programs; and
(4)
Support strategies or programs to:
(A)
Increase college preparation rates of all students, including students of low income, English learners, and minority students;
(B)
Decrease the remediation rates of high school graduates entering institutions of higher education; and
(C)
Increase the attainment of career credentials or technical certificates through expanded opportunities for students.
(d)
Public school districts may include community engagement components as part of the public school's student-focused learning system and student success plans.
(e)
To provide a foundation for the development of a student success plan, a public school district shall:
(1)
Provide career awareness and exploration activities to all public school students in grades six through eight (6-8) that create links between what a student does in school and what a student wants to achieve in life, as described in §
6-16-1802(a)
; and
(2)
(A)
Hold an informational meeting for parents, legal guardians, or persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) within the public school district to provide information regarding graduation requirements and curriculum choices.
(B)
The informational meeting required under subdivision (e)(2)(A) of this section shall be held in conjunction with the scheduling of courses for the next academic year.
(C)
Notice of the informational meeting required under subdivision (e)(2)(A) of this section shall be provided through existing means of communication.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 13, eff. 3/8/2023.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 12, eff. 3/8/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1302, eff. 7/1/2019.
Added by Act 2017, No. 930,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2017.