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 17 - COURSE CHOICE PROGRAM (§§ 6-16-1701 — 6-16-1705) › Section 6-16-1705 - Funding - Definition

(a)
(1)
As used in this section, "per-course amount" means an amount equal to the market rate as determined by a course provider and reported to the Department of Education that is up to one-sixth (1/6) of ninety percent (90%) of the per-pupil amount each year as determined by the foundation funding amount, established under §
6-20-2305
, allotted per student to each public school district in which an eligible student resides.
(2)
(A)
Any remaining funds for an eligible student, except those specified under subsection (c) of this section, shall be returned to the state or the public school district according to the pro rata share for the per pupil amount each year as determined by the foundation funding amount for the public school district in which the eligible student resides.
(B)
Transfers of course payments shall be made by the department on behalf of the responsible public school district in which an eligible student resides to the authorized course provider.
(b)
A course provider shall receive a per-course amount for each eligible student.
(c)
(1)
For each eligible student, an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the per-pupil amount according to the pro rata share as determined each year by the foundation funding amount, established under §
6-20-2305
, allotted per student for the local school district in which an eligible student resides shall remain with the public school district in which the eligible student is enrolled full time.
(2)
Funds under subdivision (c)(1) of this section shall be used to finance any administrative or operational costs to support eligible students enrolled in courses offered by course providers, as determined by the State Board of Education.
(d)
(1)
For each eligible student, a course provider shall receive payment for only the courses in which an eligible student is enrolled as determined under this subchapter.
(2)
The remaining funds for each eligible student up to the maximum amount for the public school district in which the eligible student resides as determined each year by the foundation funding, established under §
6-20-2305
, allotted per student or the actual tuition and fees, as applicable, shall remain with the participating public school district in which the student is enrolled.
(e)
(1)
A course provider may charge an eligible student the cost of tuition in an amount equal to the amount determined by the course provider and reported to the department.
(2)
A course provider shall accept the per-course amount as the total tuition and fees for an eligible student.
(3)
(A)
Fifty percent (50%) of the amount of tuition to be paid or transferred to a course provider shall be paid or transferred upon eligible student enrollment in a course and fifty percent (50%) shall be paid or transferred upon course completion according to the published course length.
(B)
If an eligible student does not complete a course, according to the published course length, in which the course provider has received the first payment, the course provider shall receive only forty percent (40%) rather than the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the course amount, but only if the eligible student completes the course and receives credit for the course prior to leaving school or graduating from high school.
(C)
For non-completion prior to leaving school or graduating from high school, the course provider shall receive only fifty percent (50%) of the amount of tuition paid upon eligible student enrollment in the course.
(4)
(A)
The remaining ten percent (10%) of the per-pupil amount according to the pro rata share as determined each year by foundation funding, established under §
6-20-2305
, allotted per student for a public school district in which an eligible student resides shall remain with the public school in which the eligible student is enrolled full time.
(B)
The amount under subdivision (e)(4)(A) of this section shall be in addition to the ten percent (10%) provided under subsection (c) of this section.
Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.