reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1801 - Career-ready pathways description

(a)
Beginning with the ninth grade class of 2024-2025, a public high school student shall have the option to earn a high school diploma through a career-ready pathway.
(b)
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with other relevant state agencies and subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, shall develop a career-ready pathway to a high school diploma in Arkansas's high schools, which shall include:
(1)
Challenging academic courses; and
(2)
Modern career and technical studies aligned with high-wage, high-growth jobs in Arkansas.
(c)
A career-ready pathway shall be informed by the division's annual audit of the state's career pathways.
(d)
The state board shall adopt course and curriculum requirements for career-ready pathways offered by public school district boards of directors and open-enrollment public charter schools that are aligned with the requirements of this subchapter.
(e)
(1)
A public school district shall issue a diploma to a student who successfully completes the requirements established by the state board for a career-ready pathway.
(2)
(A)
A diploma issued to a student under subdivision (e)(1) of this section shall be given the same status and recognition for purposes of the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act, §
6-15-2901
et seq., as is given a standard diploma issued by a public school district.
(B)
A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall not be penalized in any manner for students who are issued a diploma through a career-ready pathway.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1802 - Early exposure to career-ready pathways

(a)
(1)
To prepare students for choosing a career option at the high-school level, in grades six through eight (6-8), each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall incorporate career awareness and exploration activities that expose students to career and technical and academic fields of study, which may include without limitation the following:
(A)
Field trips;
(B)
Guest speakers;
(C)
Community services;
(D)
Dedicated curricula; and
(E)
Other activities designed to introduce students to occupations that are found to be in demand in Arkansas.
(2)
The State Board of Education shall determine the minimum number and type of activities required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section.
(b)
Each public school district and open-enrollment public charter school with an approved career-ready pathway shall annually conduct an informational meeting for the parents, legal guardians, and persons standing in loco parentis to students enrolled in the eighth grade regarding the approved curriculum offered by the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1803 - Career-ready pathway requirements

(a)
A career-ready pathway to a diploma shall:
(1)
Provide a student with credentials of value in a desired high-wage, high-growth career and a strong academic core;
(2)
Be offered to each high school student;
(3)
Prepare students to:
(A)
Pursue either a degree or certification from:
(i)
A institution of higher education;
(ii)
An industry-based training or certification;
(iii)
An apprenticeship; or
(iv)
The military; or
(B)
Immediately enter a career field; and
(4)
Be primarily designed for students who are seeking stackable credentials to be successful in a career.
(b)
(1)
Each public school district shall develop and offer at least one (1) career-ready pathway that is aligned to state and regional workforce demands, according to rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
(2)
Each open-enrollment public charter school may develop and offer at least one (1) career-ready pathway that is aligned to state and regional workforce demands, according to state board rules.
(c)
Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, in partnership with local business and industry leaders, local economic development agencies, and postsecondary education leaders, shall:
(1)
Review career-ready pathways offered by the public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools; and
(2)
Expand offerings as appropriate, including without limitation:
(A)
Courses offered through articulation;
(B)
Concurrent enrollment courses;
(C)
Industry training programs; and
(D)
Digital learning opportunities.
(d)
A public school student in a career-ready pathway shall complete an academic core of courses and a career and technical sequence of courses or an approved training program that leads to an approved, industry-based credential in a high-wage, high-growth field.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1804 - Methods of program development - Options to aid in curriculum design - Career-ready pathway teachers

(a)
To develop and implement a career-ready pathway program, public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools may:
(1)
Work as a system in developing a district-wide or school-wide program;
(2)
Work as individual schools in developing individual school programs;
(3)
Work as groups of high schools in developing consortia programs; or
(4)
Partner with a career and technical education program or community college.
(b)
(1)
The faculty for a career-ready pathway shall include career and technical instructors and other teachers who have received the appropriate staff development or in-service training to enable them to teach career-ready pathway courses, including specific certifications where relevant.
(2)
Public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools may employ content experts who hold a certification or credential relevant to a specific career-pathway program.
(c)
A teacher hired to teach a career-ready pathway course shall be given appropriate staff development and in-service training.
(d)
Whenever a teacher is unavailable to teach a career-ready pathway course, the career-ready pathway course may be taught in partnership with another public school, public school district, or educational entity, including through the aid of technology and computer software whenever possible.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1805 - Reimbursement for workers' compensation insurance premiums

(a)
A public school student who is in a work-based learning opportunity that is provided in coordination with a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall be covered by the workers' compensation insurance of his or her employer as provided in the Workers' Compensation Law, §
11-9-101
et seq.
(b)
For purposes of §§
6-17-1401
and
11-9-102
, a public school district and open-enrollment public charter school shall be considered an employer, as applicable, and a student an employee, when the student is providing services under a work-based learning opportunity provided in coordination with the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school.
(c)
Subject to legislative appropriation, the Department of Education may reimburse employers, including without limitation public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools, for the proportionate cost of workers' compensation premiums for students in work-based learning opportunities in accordance with department rules.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 18 - HIGH SCHOOL CAREER-READY PATHWAYS TO DIPLOMA (§§ 6-16-1801 — 6-16-1806) › Section 6-16-1806 - Long-term value of a career-ready pathway

(a)
To ensure that a career-ready pathway to a diploma adequately prepares public school students for high-wage, high-growth opportunities within Arkansas, the Arkansas Workforce Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall develop a system for collecting, analyzing, and reporting the public school student outcomes associated with the completion of high-wage, high-growth career-ready pathways under this subchapter.
(b)
The system required under subsection (a) of this section shall include without limitation the:
(1)
Hiring and retention of students and graduates within their respective fields of training; and
(2)
Remediation courses taken, including both quantity and type, for career-ready high school graduates entering postsecondary institutions.
(c)
Data collected under this section shall be used to inform:
(1)
Adjustments, approvals, and denials of high-wage, high-growth career-ready pathways to diplomas approved for high school graduation; and
(2)
Accountability measures for high schools.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 19 - COMMUNITY SERVICE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENT (§§ 6-16-1901 — 6-16-1902) › Section 6-16-1901 - Community service diploma requirement

(a)
Beginning with the graduating class of 2026-2027, a public high school student shall complete a minimum of seventy-five (75) clock hours of documented community service in grades nine through twelve (9-12), as certified by the service agency or organization with which the public school student volunteers, in order to graduate.
(b)
The community service required under subsection (a) of this section shall:
(1)
Be in programs or activities, either in Arkansas or outside of Arkansas, that meet the requirements established by the State Board of Education and each public school district board of directors; and
(2)
Include preparation, action, and reflection components.
(c)
(1)
Students transferring into a public school district after grade nine (9) or students graduating early may receive a diploma provided that the minimum requirement for each year they attend the public school district is met.
(2)
The minimum number of community service hours for each grade level shall be:
(A)
Fifteen (15) hours for students in grade nine (9);
(B)
Twenty (20) hours for students in grade ten (10);
(C)
Twenty (20) hours for students in grade eleven (11); and
(D)
Twenty (20) hours for students in grade twelve (12).
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902) › Subchapter 19 - COMMUNITY SERVICE DIPLOMA REQUIREMENT (§§ 6-16-1901 — 6-16-1902) › Section 6-16-1902 - Waivers - Rules

(a)
(1)
A public school district board of directors may grant a waiver of this requirement for extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
(2)
Extenuating circumstances permitted under subdivision (a)(1) of this section may include without limitation:
(A)
A major illness associated with a student or a family member of a student;
(B)
Student homelessness or housing insecurity; and
(C)
Notice to the public school district board of directors if the student is a major contributor to family income.
(b)
The State Board of Education may promulgate rules necessary for the implementation of this subchapter.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-101 - [Repealed]

Repealed by Act 2013, No. 231,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1931, No. 169, § 194; Pope's Dig., §§ 3597, 11636; Acts 1947, No. 326, § 1; 1965, No. 455, § 1; 1977, No. 97, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1210 -- 80-1213; Acts 1987, No. 677, § 4; 1989, No. 640, § 1; 2005, No. 1994, § 62; 2007, No. 313, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-102 - Emergency first aid personnel

Every public elementary school and every public secondary school in the State of Arkansas shall have in its employ at least one (1) person who is certified by the American Red Cross or approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education as qualified to administer emergency first aid and who shall be on the school grounds during normal school hours.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1358, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1977, No. 395, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1263.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-104 - Teachers' records and reports

(a)
The teacher shall keep such records and make such reports as may be required by the school district board of directors employing the teacher.
(b)
No teacher shall be entitled to the last month's pay under his or her contract with a public school district until he or she has provided to the school district all records and reports required by the school district.
Acts 1931, No. 169, §§ 169, 172; Pope's Dig., §§ 11611, 11614; A.S.A. 1947, §§ 80-1215, 80-1217; Acts 1993, No. 294, § 11; 1999, No. 1078, § 57; 2007, No. 311, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-106 - Insult or abuse of teacher

(a)
(1)
It is unlawful during regular school hours and in a place where a public school employee is required to be in the course of his or her duties for any person to address a public school employee using language that in its common acceptation is calculated to:
(A)
Cause a breach of the peace;
(B)
Materially and substantially interfere with the operation of the school; or
(C)
Arouse the person to whom it is addressed to anger to the extent likely to cause imminent retaliation.
(2)
A person who violates this section shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction be liable for a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500).
(b)
Each school district shall report to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education any prosecutions within the school districts under this section.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1359, eff. 7/1/2019.
Acts 1979, No. 125, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1905.1; Acts 1987, No. 741, § 1; 2001, No. 1565, § 1; 2005, No. 1994, § 63.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-107 - Reporting student drug abuse - Provision of counseling, referrals, medical care, or other assistance to suicidal youths - Immunity from liability - Definition

(a)
Teachers and other school personnel in this state shall be immune from liability and suit for damages for communicating information in good faith concerning drug abuse by any pupil to that pupil's parents, to law enforcement officers, or to healthcare providers.
(b)
(1)
Teachers, school counselors, school healthcare providers, and other school personnel shall be immune from any civil liability for providing counseling, referral, emergency medical care, or other assistance offered in good faith to suicidal students or other suicidal youth.
(2)
"Suicidal" refers to a person who poses a substantial risk of physical harm to himself or herself as manifested by evidence of, threats of, or attempts at suicide or self-inflicted bodily harm or by evidence of other behavior or thoughts that create a grave and imminent risk to his or her physical condition.
(c)
This section shall not preclude liability for civil damages where the individual negligently performs professional counseling or nursing services which he or she is licensed under state law to perform.
(d)
This section shall not preclude liability for civil damages as the result of gross negligence.
Acts 1983, No. 382, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1265; Acts 1991, No. 542, § 2; 1991, No. 587, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-108 - Authority for teachers to wear religious clothing

Any teacher may wear the clothing of any established and recognized religion in the public schools and institutions of this state.
Acts 1973, No. 196, § 1; A.S.A. 1947, § 80-1261.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-109 - Travel reimbursement for family and consumer science teachers

Teachers of family and consumer science shall be reimbursed for travel in the same manner as provided for teachers of agriculture.
Acts 1989 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 127, § 28; 1989 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 276, § 46; 1999, No. 1323, § 19.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-110 - Program to increase racial and ethnic sensitivity

(a)
The State Board of Education is hereby authorized and directed to develop, in cooperation with the Black History Commission of Arkansas, an inclusive statewide program to increase the racial and ethnic sensitivity of teachers and administrators in the public schools of this state.
(b)
The program shall serve to assist teachers and administrators in developing a greater awareness of ethnic and racial differences, improving interpersonal skills, and enhancing racial harmony.
(c)
Participating schools and school districts shall permit their teachers and administrators who have received training in the program to assist in training other teachers and administrators.
(d)
Colleges and universities are hereby encouraged to work with neighboring local school districts regarding professional development of racial and ethnic awareness.
(e)
Records shall be kept of the activities authorized by this section.
Acts 1993, No. 197, § 2.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-111 - Duty-free lunch period

(a)
(1)
Each school district in this state shall provide at least a thirty-minute uninterrupted duty-free lunch period during each student instructional day for each licensed school employee in its employment.
(2)
Any teacher not receiving a duty-free lunch period during each student instructional day as provided in subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall be compensated at his or her hourly rate of pay for each missed lunch period.
(b)
Lunchroom supervisors who have been in-serviced may be volunteers, personnel in nonlicensed positions, or aides.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 728,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1138,§ 30, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1987, No. 558, § 1; 2001, No. 1373, § 1; 2005, No. 1881, § 1; 2011, No. 989, § 24.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-112 - Corporal punishment - Immunity from liability - Definition

(a)
(1)
Except as provided under subdivision (a)(2) of this section, teachers and administrators in a school district that authorizes use of corporal punishment in the school district's written student discipline policy shall be immune from any civil liability for administering corporal punishment to students, provided only that the corporal punishment is administered in substantial compliance with the school district's written student discipline policy.
(2)
A teacher or administrator in a school district that authorizes use of corporal punishment in the school district's written student discipline policy is not immune from civil liability under subdivision (a)(1) of this section if the teacher or administrator uses corporal punishment on a child who is intellectually disabled, nonambulatory, nonverbal, or autistic.
(b)
As used in subsection (a) of this section, "teachers and administrators" means those persons employed by a school district and required to have a state-issued license as a condition of their employment.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 557,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1994 (2nd Ex. Sess.), No. 51, §§ 3, 5; 2011, No. 989, § 25.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-114 - Daily planning period - Definition

(a)
(1)
Effective beginning the 2003-2004 school year, each school district in this state shall provide a minimum of two hundred (200) minutes each week for each teacher to schedule time for conferences, instructional planning, and preparation for all classroom teachers employed by the school district.
(2)
(A)
The planning time shall be in increments of no less than forty (40) minutes during the student instructional day unless a teacher submits a written request to be allowed to have his or her planning time scheduled at some time other than during the student instructional day.
(B)
A teacher who does not receive the planning time required under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section during the student instructional day shall be compensated at his or her hourly rate of pay for each missed planning period except for planning periods missed because of occasional, not-regularly-scheduled field trips, fire drills, or bomb scares.
(b)
(1)
No school district shall provide planning time as required by this section by lengthening the school day unless the school district compensates teachers for the additional time at an hourly per diem rate.
(2)
Any teacher not receiving individual planning time as provided for in this section shall be compensated for the planning time lost at his or her hourly rate of pay.
(c)
Each school district shall implement the requirements of this section in accordance with §
6-17-201
et seq.
(d)
As used in this section, "student instructional day" means the time that students are required to be present at school.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 728,§ 2, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1997, No. 1343, § 1; 2001, No. 1208, § 1; 2003, No. 462, § 1; 2005, No. 1943, §§ 1, 2.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-115 - Elective or appointive office - State policy - Public school district policy

(a)
It is the policy of this state to encourage public school employees to participate in government and to reduce barriers to their seeking or holding an elective or appointive office. Therefore, it is the purpose of this section to provide public school employees clear information concerning the policies of the school affecting the rights of employees to seek or hold elective or appointive office.
(b)
(1)
Each public school district shall adopt a policy concerning the right of employees of the school district to seek and hold an elective or an appointive office.
(2)
The policy shall state the consequences, if any, for seeking or holding an elective or appointive office.
Acts 1997, No. 1302, §§ 1, 2.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-116 - The Arkansas School Children Protection Act - Definitions

(a)
This section shall be known and may be cited as "The Arkansas School Children Protection Act".
(b)
For purposes of this section:
(1)
"Conviction" means having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or having been found guilty of committing a sexual offense against a minor or student; and
(2)
A "sexual offense" is one described in §
5-14-101
et seq., except for a misdemeanor violation of sexual indecency with a child, §
5-14-110
.
(c)
(1)
Any public school district employee who commits a sexual offense against a minor shall upon conviction be dismissed from employment and shall not thereafter be eligible for employment by any school in this state.
(2)
Any public school teacher who commits a sexual offense under §
5-14-125(a)(6)
shall upon conviction be dismissed from employment and shall not thereafter be eligible for employment by any school in this state.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 619,§ 8, eff. 8/1/2023.
Acts 2001, No. 1732, § 1; 2003, No. 1720, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-117 - Noninstructional duties - Definitions

(a)
(1)
The purpose of this section is to provide additional time for instructional purposes and to reduce the amount of time for noninstructional duties.
(2)
Any teacher assigned more than sixty (60) minutes of noninstructional duties per week shall be contracted in accordance with §
6-17-807(g)
.
(b)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Instructional purposes" means activities initiated by the teacher related to teaching duties, including without limitation contacting parents, assessing student performance, documenting student performance, organizing the classroom, preparing instructional materials, supervising students during recess, and other teaching responsibilities related to instructional planning and the direct instruction of students; and
(2)
"Noninstructional duties" means the supervision of students before or after the instructional day begins or ends for students or for the supervision of students during breakfasts, lunches, or scheduled breaks.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 641,§ 3, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 2003, No. 1398, § 1; 2003 (2nd Ex. Sess.), No. 37, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-118 - Public education surplus computer loan program

(a)
(1)
Any public school district or open-enrollment charter school may develop a program that offers that school district's or charter school's surplus personal computers for loan to public school students attending that public school district or open-enrollment charter school.
(2)
Before a public school district or open-enrollment charter school may loan any of its surplus personal computers under this program, it shall:
(A)
Determine that the personal computer:
(i)
Is outdated;
(ii)
Is no longer useful to the school district or charter school except as provided in subdivision (a)(2)(A)(iv) of this section;
(iii)
Has no reasonable resale value; and
(iv)
May be used by the school district or charter school as an at-home educational tool for students; and
(B)
Remove all information and other records from the personal computer that are required by law not to be disclosed by the school district or charter school.
(3)
A public school district or open-enrollment charter school may loan a surplus personal computer to a currently enrolled student of that school district or charter school for no longer than the school year if the student's parent, guardian, or caregiver:
(A)
Provides written verification that the student:
(i)
Does not have access to a personal computer in his or her home environment;
(ii)
Needs the use of a personal computer for educational purposes; and
(iii)
Identifies one (1) of the student's teachers who is willing to attest to the student's need for access to a personal computer; and
(B)
Signs an agreement:
(i)
Accepting legal responsibility and liability for:
(a)
The value and maintenance of the personal computer while in the student's possession; and
(b)
Any reasonable cost associated with the recovery of the personal computer if it is not returned on the agreed-upon date or is damaged upon return; and
(ii)
Agreeing that the school district or charter school may sell the personal computer loaned to the student if the school district or charter school determines that selling the computer would be beneficial and the computer is sold for its fair market value.
(b)
Arkansas Legislative Audit or any private auditor retained by the public school district or open-enrollment charter school to perform its annual audit shall review the program and report any violation of law or the requirements of this section in the school district's or charter school's annual audit.
(c)
The State Board of Education shall promulgate any rules necessary for the implementation of this section.
Acts 2005, No. 1673, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-119 - [Repealed]

Repealed by Act 2021, No. 544,§ 27, eff. 7/28/2021.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 757,§ 32, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1361, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1360, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1138,§ 32, eff. 8/16/2013.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1138,§ 31, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 2007, No. 847, §§ 1, 2.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-120 - Membership in labor organizations - Definition

(a)
(1)
As used in this section, "labor organization" means a lawful organization that is composed of public school employees that exists for the purpose of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment, or other terms and conditions of employment.
(2)
"Labor organization" includes a:
(A)
Labor union exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(5)
as amended; and
(B)
Professional employee association exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(6)
, as amended.
(b)
(1)
A public school employee may join or terminate membership in a labor organization at any time.
(2)
A labor organization or an employer may not place a restriction on the time that a public school employee may join or terminate membership in a labor organization.
Added by Act 2015, No. 964,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-121 - Pre-employment and random drug screening - Definitions

(a)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Drug" means the same as defined in §
5-64-101
;
(2)
"Drug screening" means a chemical test administered for the purpose of determining the presence or absence of a drug in an individual's blood, breath, or urine;
(3)
"Employee" means an individual who is currently employed at a public prekindergarten through grade twelve (preK-12) school district; and
(4)
"Positive drug screening result" means a finding of the presence of a drug in the sample tested during an individual's drug screening test.
(b)
A school district board of directors may implement a policy that requires one (1) or more of the following:
(1)
Pre-employment drug screening of an individual who applies for employment at a public school district; or
(2)
Random drug screening of current employees.
(c)
In the case of a positive drug screening result from a random drug screening of a current employee under this section, a school district may implement disciplinary actions that include without limitation the:
(1)
Immediate dismissal of the employee;
(2)
Requirement that the employee go on temporary leave; or
(3)
Requirement that the employee enter a drug treatment program.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 323,§ 1, eff. 7/24/2019.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-122 - Paid maternity leave - Definitions

(a)
Education personnel employed by a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school that elect to participate under this section shall be eligible for up to twelve (12) weeks of paid maternity leave.
(b)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Cost-sharing" means joint, equal responsibility for the cost shared between the State of Arkansas and a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school that employs an individual considered education personnel under this section;
(2)
"Education personnel" means an individual employed full-time by a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school in Arkansas for more than one (1) year; and
(3)
"Maternity leave" means partially or fully compensated time away from work within the first twelve (12) weeks following the:
(A)
Birth of a biological child to an individual considered education personnel under this section; or
(B)
Placement of an adoptive child in the home of an individual considered education personnel under this section.
(c)
(1)
The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall create and sign a standard cost-sharing agreement for paid maternity leave expenses between the division and a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school that elects to participate under this section.
(2)
At a minimum, the cost-sharing agreement required under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall obligate the state and the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school to each pay fifty percent (50%) of incurred costs for approved paid maternity leave.
(3)
The division shall promulgate rules outlining:
(A)
Management of a cost-sharing agreement required under subdivision (c)(1) of this section;
(B)
Reimbursement processes; and
(C)
Other related procedures required to implement this section.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 21, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-123 - Superintendent performance targets

(a)
Each local school district board of directors shall establish, as part of a superintendent's contract of employment, written performance targets for the public schools at both the school level and district level that include without limitation the following:
(1)
Student achievement for the entire public school district;
(2)
Student achievement for public schools within the public school district that have received any variation of a school performance letter grade designation of "C", "D", or "F" under §§
6-15-2105
and
6-15-2106
and State Board of Education rules;
(3)
Graduation rates for the entire public school district; and
(4)
Graduation rates for public schools within the public school district that have received any variation of a school performance letter grade designation of "C", "D", or "F" under §§
6-15-2105
and
6-15-2106
and state board rules.
(b)
Each local school district board of directors shall:
(1)
Publish the school district superintendent's current contract of employment on the school district website; and
(2)
Submit a copy of the current contract of employment of the school district superintendent to the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.
(c)
A contract of employment executed, negotiated, or renegotiated after July 1, 2023, between a local school district board of directors and a superintendent that does not meet the requirements established in this section shall be null and void.
(d)
The State Board of Education may promulgate rules to implement this section.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 21, eff. 3/8/2023.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-124) › Section 6-17-124 - Implicit bias training - Definitions

(a)
A school shall not:
(1)
Require a school employee to complete or participate in implicit bias training; or
(2)
Take adverse employment action against a school employee for the school employee's failure or refusal to complete or participate in implicit bias training.
(b)
The State Board of Education shall not require an individual who is seeking to obtain or renew an educator license to complete or participate in implicit bias training as a requirement for:
(1)
Obtaining or renewing an educator license; or
(2)
Professional development.
(c)
(1)
A school employee may leave a training that the school employee is attending if the school employee determines that the training addresses implicit biases.
(2)
A school employee who leaves a training under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall have no recourse due to the school employee's exposure to training that the school employee determines addresses implicit biases.
(d)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Implicit bias training" means a training or educational program designed to expose an individual to biases that the training's or educational program's developer or designer presumes the individual to unconsciously or unintentionally possess that predispose the individual to be unfairly prejudiced in favor of or against a thing, person, or group to adjust the individual's pattern of thinking in order to eliminate the individual's unconscious or unintentional bias or prejudice; and
(2)
"School" means:
(A)
A public school or public school district; or
(B)
An open-enrollment public charter school.
Added by Act 2023, No. 511,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 2 - PERSONNEL POLICIES (§§ 6-17-201 — 6-17-211) › Section 6-17-201 - Personnel policies requirements - Definition

(a)
Each school district in the state shall have a set of written personnel policies, including the teacher salary schedule.
(b)
"Personnel policies" means all school district policies, guidelines, regulations, and procedures that pertain to the terms and conditions of a teacher's employment.
(c)
The personnel policies shall include, but are not limited to, the following terms and conditions of employment:
(1)
Benefits;
(2)
Compensation;
(3)
Designation of workdays;
(4)
Holidays and noninstructional days;
(5)
The annual calendar;
(6)
Methods of evaluations;
(7)
Extra duties;
(8)
Leave;
(9)
Grievances;
(10)
Dismissal or nonrenewal;
(11)
Reduction in force;
(12)
Assignment of teacher aides; and
(13)
Bylaws, rules, and procedures concerning a committee on personnel policies.
(d)
(1)
(A)
A school district shall not receive in any year any additional funding from the Public School Fund unless the school district posts by September 15 its current personnel policies on the school district's website, including the salary schedule as required by this subchapter.
(B)
A written copy of the policies signed by the president of the local school district board of directors shall be retained by the school district in a central records location.
(2)
(A)
By September 15 of each year, a school district shall provide the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education with the website address at which its current personnel policies, including the salary schedule, may be found.
(B)
The division shall notify any school district that has not posted its policies on the school district website or provided the division with the website address in accordance with this section.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 781,§ 2, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1362, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1073,§ 20, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1987, No. 687, § 1; 1991, No. 170, § 1; 1999, No. 391, § 6; 2003, No. 1120, § 1; 2005, No. 2121, § 3; 2011, No. 989, § 26.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 2 - PERSONNEL POLICIES (§§ 6-17-201 — 6-17-211) › Section 6-17-202 - Right to join professional organization

(a)
School district boards of directors or their representatives shall not take or threaten actions that interfere with, restrain, or coerce a teacher in the exercise of the teacher's right to join a professional organization.
(b)
However, nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a school district board of directors or representatives of a school district board of directors to deduct or collect dues, fees, or contributions from the pay of a teacher on behalf of a professional organization.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 776,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 728,§ 3, eff. 7/24/2019.
Acts 1987, No. 687, § 2; 2001, No. 1765, § 1.
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 17 - PERSONNEL (§§ 6-17-101 — 6-17-2906) › Subchapter 2 - PERSONNEL POLICIES (§§ 6-17-201 — 6-17-211) › Section 6-17-203 - Committee for each school district

(a)
Each school district shall have a committee on personnel policies, which shall consist of no fewer than five (5) classroom teachers and no more than three (3) administrators, one (1) of which may be the superintendent.
(b)
(1)
The classroom teacher members of each school district's committee on personnel policies shall be elected by a vote of classroom teachers following the rules and procedures established in each school district's written personnel policies, as required under §
6-17-201
.
(2)
Election announcements and results shall be placed on the website of a school district.
(c)
(1)
An election under this section shall be conducted annually no later than October 15.
(2)
If the classroom teacher members of a school district's committee on personnel policies fail to conduct an election by October 15 as required under subdivision (c)(1) of this section, the school district board of directors may appoint a classroom teacher in order to fill any vacancy on the school district's committee on personnel policies.
(d)
The administrator members of each school district's committee on personnel policies shall be appointed by the school district board of directors or its designee.
(e)
Each meeting of a committee on personnel policies shall be audio recorded and made publicly available to ensure transparency.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 781,§ 3, eff. 8/1/2023.
Acts 1987, No. 687, § 2; 1989, No. 56, § 1; 1989, No. 479, § 1.