SB647 Summary

• Repeals the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment, and Accountability Program Act (§ 6-15-401 et seq.) and replaces it with the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act (§ 6-15-2901 et seq.), establishing a new accountability framework for public schools and school districts.

• Establishes five differentiated levels of state support (General, Collaborative, Coordinated, Directed, and Intensive) based on student performance data and school district needs, replacing the previous binary academic distress classification system.

• Implements a student-focused learning system requiring personalized student success plans by grade 8, college and career readiness assessments, and multiple academic measures rather than relying solely on annual statewide assessments.

• Expands state authority over low-performing school districts classified as needing Level 5 - Intensive support, allowing the State Board of Education to remove superintendents, suspend board members, require district reorganization, and take other corrective actions within a five-year timeline.

• Maintains statewide student assessment requirements including developmentally appropriate K-2 assessments, English language arts and mathematics tests, science assessments, and college and career readiness measurements for students in grades 10-12.