§ 6-15-2201 - Implementation of state system of school improvement and education accountability. - Arkansas Statutes

6-15-2201. Implementation of state system of school improvement and education accountability.

(a) The Department of Education is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of intensive school improvement and education accountability that shall include policies and programs to implement the following:

(1) (A) A system of data collection and analysis that will improve information about the educational success of individual students and schools.

(B) The information and analyses shall be capable of identifying educational programs or activities in need of improvement, and reports prepared pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the appropriate school district boards of directors prior to distribution to the general public.

(C) No disclosure shall be made that is in violation of applicable federal or state law;

(2) A program of school improvement that will analyze information to identify schools' educational programs or educational activities in need of improvement;

(3) A method of delivering services to assist school districts and schools to improve; and

(4) A method of coordinating the state educational goals and school improvement plans with any other state program that creates incentives for school improvement.

(b) (1) The department shall be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the system of school improvement and education accountability outlined in this section.

(2) There shall be an annual determination of whether each school is progressing toward implementing and maintaining a system of school improvement.

(c) (1) If progress is not being made, the local school district shall prepare and implement a revised school improvement plan.

(2) The department and the State Board of Education shall monitor the development and implementation of the revised school improvement plan.

(d) (1) (A) The department shall implement a training program to develop among state and school district educators a cadre of facilitators of school improvement.

(B) These facilitators shall assist schools and school districts to conduct needs assessments and develop and implement school improvement plans to meet state goals.

(2) (A) (i) Upon request, the department shall provide technical assistance and training to any school, school district, or school district board of directors for conducting needs assessments, developing and implementing school improvement plans, developing and implementing assistance and intervention plans, or implementing other components of school improvement and accountability.

(ii) Priority for these services shall be given to schools designated as school districts in academic distress or schools in need of school improvement under state or federal law.

(B) (i) No less than semiannually, the department shall provide a report to the House Interim Committee on Education and the Senate Interim Committee on Education setting forth the school districts requesting assistance, the state of each request, and the dates and actions taken.

(ii) The department shall further report the results of the actions taken or assistance provided.

(3) The department shall provide technical assistance to each school that is designated as a level 1 school or a level 2 school under 6-15-2103 to develop a revised school improvement plan.

(e) As a part of the system of educational accountability, the department shall:

(1) Develop minimum performance standards for various grades and subject areas, as required in 6-15-404 and 6-15-433;

(2) Administer the statewide assessment testing program created by 6-15-433;

(3) Conduct or contract with a provider to conduct the program assessments required by 6-15-403;

(4) Conduct or contract with any provider for implementation for any part or portion of this act; and

(5) Perform any other functions that may be involved in educational planning, research, and evaluation or that may be required by the state board rules and regulations or federal or state law.