AR HB1608

Creates new Arkansas Code § 6-15-2108 establishing a multiple measures school rating system that must include academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates, and English learner progress

Requires the school rating system to consider at least one indicator from a list including closing achievement gaps, academic growth of student subgroups, grade 9 credit completion rates, resource equity, advanced placement/concurrent credit access, flexible learning options, preschool access, educator qualifications, and community partnerships

Amends Arkansas Code § 6-15-2101(d) to require annual reports separately listing student performance measures, academic growth, graduation rates, and other state board criteria in addition to overall school performance categories

Updates Arkansas Code § 6-15-2106(b)(3) to replace references to No Child Left Behind Act with Every Student Succeeds Act, Pub. L. No. 114-95

Mandates that all indicators in the rating system allow for meaningful differentiation in school performance and be valid, reliable, comparable, and applicable statewide; Department of Education shall promulgate implementing rules