SB246
To Create The Arkansas Access Act; And To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code As They Relate To Education In The State Of Arkansas.
Last Action (March 18, 2025): Notification that SB246 is now Act 340
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
The Arkansas ACCESS Act proposes several modifications to the governance and structure of state education initiatives. It updates the composition of the School Leadership Coordinating Council by reducing the number of permanent members and allowing for additional discretionary appointments. The bill clarifies quorum requirements for the Council, mandating a simple majority for transacting business. Furthermore, the legislation repeals Subchapter 11 of Title 6, effectively abolishing the Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness. Finally, it rebrands and expands the 'Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program' to be titled the 'accelerated learning' program. This updated program broadens its scope beyond specific math and science initiatives to include various forms of college-preparatory and concurrent credit coursework aimed at preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include students who will gain broader access to a variety of 'accelerated learning' opportunities, such as concurrent credit and advanced placement courses. Educational administrators and state-level education officials also benefit from the streamlined organizational structure and the increased flexibility in appointing council members. Additionally, organizations involved in providing accelerated learning curriculum may benefit from the expanded grant funding opportunities provided by the state.
Who Might Suffer?
The stakeholders most directly impacted by the removal of their representation on the School Leadership Coordinating Council include the specific professional associations and advocacy groups previously listed in the statute (such as the Arkansas Education Association, the Arkansas School Boards Association, and various subject-specific educational organizations). These groups may lose their direct, statutorily mandated influence on the state's school leadership policy. Additionally, the dissolution of the Council on Postsecondary Education and Career Readiness may be viewed negatively by those who valued the specific, focused oversight of college and career alignment previously provided by that body.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 17, 2025View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Steele | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | NV |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Yea |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | Yea |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | Yea |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | Yea |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | NV |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | Yea |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | Yea |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | Yea |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | Yea |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | Yea |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | Yea |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Yea |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | NV |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Yea |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | Yea |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | NV |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | NV |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | Yea |
| Glenn Barnes | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Lincoln Barnett | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Alyssa Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nick Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Paul Childress | Republican | House | Yea |
| James Eaton | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brad Hall | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dolly Henley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jessie McGruder | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jason Nazarenko | Republican | House | Yea |
| Randy Torres | Republican | House | Yea |
| Diana Gonzales Worthen | Democrat | House | Nay |
Third Reading
March 13, 2025View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
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