AR HB1485

Creates a 22-member Legislative Task Force on the Best Practices for Special Education consisting of legislators, education representatives, parents, and special education students.

Task force must hold meetings at least quarterly at the State Capitol or other selected location, with the Governor or designee calling the first meeting within 60 days of the act's effective date.

Task force shall study and research ways to improve special education outcomes, including reviewing identification practices, teacher preparation, discipline policies, Response to Intervention programs, support services, charter school programs, and financial support adequacy.

Task force must file a preliminary report by February 1, 2016, and a final report by September 1, 2016, with the option to file an updated final report by July 1, 2017.

Task force expires on July 1, 2017.