AR HB1529

Establishes the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program within the Department of Education to help adults age 21 and older obtain high school diplomas and develop employability and career technical skills through campus-based, online, or blended modalities.

Requires approved program providers to be regionally accredited entities with at least 2 years of experience providing adult dropout recovery services and ability to provide academic assessments, learning plans, remediation, employability certifications, career pathways coursework, workforce credential preparation, and career advising.

Implements a milestone-based payment system where approved program providers receive funding for students earning high school credits, employability skills certifications, workforce credentials, and diplomas; prohibits double-funding if students receive federal, state, or private tuition funding simultaneously.

Establishes minimum performance standards requiring approved program providers to achieve at least 50% graduation rate and average cost per graduate of $7,000 or less per cohort measurement period; providers failing to meet standards for two consecutive years are removed from the program.

Requires annual reporting of metrics including total student enrollments, credits earned, certifications issued, workforce credentials earned, graduation rates, and average cost per graduate; Department of Education must promulgate implementing rules by January 1, 2024.