AR HB1671

Amends Arkansas Code § 6-23-306 to allow open-enrollment public charter schools to use weighted admission lotteries at their discretion, expanding beyond federal compliance requirements.

Permits charter schools to weight lottery admissions to increase chances for: national school lunch students, English-language learners, students with disabilities, and students enrolled in academically distressed public schools.

Allows weighted lotteries when necessary to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Fourteenth Amendment equal protection clause, court orders, or desegregation laws.

Grants charter schools sole discretion and control over the structure, format, and operation of weighted lotteries under their authority.

Permits charter schools to have the Department of Education operate and manage weighted lotteries as an optional service.