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Republican Sponsorship
Education

HB1924

To Repeal The Requirement That The State Board Of Education Establish Rules Regarding The Implementation Of Four-day School Weeks.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1924 proposes an amendment to Arkansas Code § 6-10-117(d) regarding the regulation of public school districts that adopt a four-day school week. The bill specifically repeals the requirement for the State Board of Education to establish administrative rules governing the implementation of these shortened school weeks. It retains the provision that school districts operating on a four-day schedule shall receive equitable state aid compared to those on a five-day schedule, while explicitly stating that districts cannot receive additional state financial aid for utilizing a four-day model. Essentially, the legislation removes the mandate for centralized state-level rule-making regarding the mechanics of a four-day school week, allowing for more local discretion in how these programs are structured.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are local school districts and their respective school boards, which gain increased autonomy to structure their academic calendars without the burden of state-mandated rules for four-day school week implementation. Administrators may also benefit from a reduction in state-imposed oversight and compliance requirements.

Who Might Suffer?

The primary group potentially negatively impacted would be students and parents who rely on consistent state-level standards, as the repeal of these rules could lead to a lack of uniformity in how four-day school weeks are implemented across different districts. Additionally, the State Board of Education loses its regulatory authority to ensure consistent statewide quality or oversight regarding the educational opportunities provided in districts transitioning to shortened weeks.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us