AR HB1758

Creates a new section 6-16-151 in Arkansas Code allowing public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools to offer intrastate district exchange experiences for students and teachers lasting 1-2 weeks.

Exchange experiences must include studies covering academics, culture, history, social conditions, and economic conditions, with courses of study incorporating aspects of participating communities and approved by the Department of Education.

Participating public school students must complete a capstone project, are not marked absent during the exchange, earn credit for participation, and must obtain parental or legal guardian permission.

Schools are responsible for paying substitute teachers when staff participate in exchanges, and all participants must be housed in school district-approved facilities during the experience.

Private entities and individuals may contribute to funding through in-kind donations, and the Department of Education must promulgate rules for implementation with final rules filed by January 1, 2020.