AR SB851

Amends Arkansas Code § 6-20-2305 to reorganize approved uses of national school lunch state categorical funding into two categories of programs, effective January 1, 2017.

Category 1 programs (60% minimum spending requirement) include classroom teachers, before/after-school academic programs, prekindergarten, tutors, summer programs, longer school days/years, partnerships with higher education, college coaching, arts-infused curriculum, school health clinics, positive behavior intervention programs, and STEM technology initiatives.

Category 2 programs include classroom teachers, parent education, early intervention, materials/supplies/equipment, federal child nutrition programs, and Teach For America professional development.

Requires school districts identified as having focus schools, priority schools, or schools in academic distress to spend 75% or more of allocated funds on Category 1 programs.

Modifies annual school district reporting requirements to include each program receiving funds, amounts expended for each program, specific academic benefits to low-income students, and any other information required by the Department of Education.