AR SB508

Restructures approved uses of national school lunch state categorical funding into two categories: Category 1 programs (60% minimum spending requirement) and Category 2 programs (discretionary spending)

Category 1 programs include before-school and after-school academic programs, prekindergarten, tutors and counselors, summer programs, longer school days/years, partnerships with higher education institutions, school health clinics, positive behavior intervention programs, and STEM technology initiatives

Category 2 programs include classroom teachers, parent education, early intervention programs, materials and supplies, federal child nutrition programs, Teach For America professional development, and school-wide evidence-based achievement gap closure programs

Requires school districts to spend at least 60% of remaining national school lunch state categorical funding on Category 1 programs beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, with 75% minimum for schools identified as focus schools, priority schools, or schools in academic distress

Modifies annual reporting requirements for school districts to document programs funded, amounts expended, specific academic benefits to low-income students, and any other information required by the Department of Education