§ 6-15-2102 - School rating system -- Annual improvement category levels. - Arkansas Statutes

6-15-2102. School rating system -- Annual improvement category levels.

(a) For the designation determined by annual improvement, annual improvement gains on augmented, criterion-referenced, or norm-referenced assessments, as defined in 6-15-404(g), shall identify schools as being in one (1) of the following category levels defined according to rules of the State Board of Education:

(1) "Level 5", schools of excellence for improvement;

(2) "Level 4", schools exceeding improvement standards;

(3) "Level 3", schools meeting improvement standards;

(4) "Level 2", schools on alert; or

(5) "Level 1", schools in need of immediate improvement.

(b) The base year for improvement gains shall be established in the 2006-2007 school year, with annual improvement category levels assigned in the 2007-2008 school year and each school year thereafter.

(c) School annual improvement category level designations shall be based on the following:

(1) A combination of student achievement scores as measured by annual academic gain scores on augmented, criterion-referenced, or norm-referenced assessments, as defined in 6-15-404(g), or assessments in grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12); and

(2) Student assessment data used to determine annual improvement category levels shall include the aggregate scores of the combined population.

(d) The state board shall adopt appropriate criteria for each school improvement category level.

(e) Schools that receive an annual improvement category level of level 5 or level 4 are eligible for school recognition awards and performance-based funding pursuant to 6-15-2107.