AR HB1646

Repeals Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 5, Subchapter 1 concerning Early Childhood Development Projects that authorized school districts to develop pilot programs in partnership with higher education institutions.

Amends Medicaid billing requirements to require the Department of Education to identify underperforming school districts and direct them to increase direct-service Medicaid billing or contract with education service cooperatives by May 1 each year.

Repeals provisions related to correspondence course accreditation, school safety patrols, Department of Education divisional structure, student progress tracking after district consolidations, and certification requirements for Arkansas Public School Computer Network users.

Updates references to federal education law from No Child Left Behind Act to Every Student Succeeds Act throughout various sections of education code.

Creates unsafe school choice program allowing students who are victims of violent crimes or attending persistently dangerous schools to attend safe public schools within their local educational agency, and allows students with sensory processing difficulties to use color overlays during state-mandated assessments.