AR SB477

Replaces the term "chronically underperforming school" with "school in need of support" throughout Arkansas Code § 6-15-2701 to align with Elementary and Secondary Education Act terminology.

Requires school districts with schools in need of support to use national school lunch state categorical funding to evaluate educational strategies and their impact on closing achievement gaps.

Directs the Department of Education to include specific improvement strategies in school district support plans, including Arkansas Scholastic Audits, disaggregated data analysis, professional development, interim assessments, and parental engagement plans.

Mandates the Department of Education to report annually to the House and Senate Education Committees by August 1 on the use of national school lunch funding and achievement gap status at schools in need of support.

Requires the Department of Education to prioritize monitoring and support for schools in need of support that have the largest achievement gaps among students.