AR SB638

Creates the Arkansas Military Child School Transitions Act of 2021 to facilitate school transitions for dependent children of uniformed services members, including active duty, reserve components, dual status military technicians, and traditional Guard/reservists relocating to Arkansas

Establishes the Arkansas Council for Military Children chaired by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to coordinate state and local education agencies in implementing transition provisions and eliminating barriers to educational success

Requires receiving school districts to preregister and provisionally place transitioning military students based on unofficial records, process official records within 10 days, waive tuition for certain students, and provide equitable access to academic courses, extracurricular activities, and graduation requirements

Allows military students to enroll in virtual/distance learning courses to facilitate smooth curriculum transitions and permits additional excused absences for students during parent deployment or duty calls

Requires public schools with 20+ military children or 3,000+ total students to designate a military family education coordinator and incorporate specific support procedures for transitioning military students