Now it's your turn. Have concerns?

An opportunity to weigh in is occurring at 5:30 p.m. today, Friday, August 25, in the Department of Education space 302A. Department authorities will hear public comment on LEARNS Act administrative guidelines. These are the guidelines that contain the information for how the law will be implemented and implemented. State law requires that the department hear Arkansans' comments on these guidelines prior to they're embraced.

You can see the full draft of the guidelines here, however we'll provide you a breakdown so you can easily show up and speak. Sections are broken down in the order they appear in the guidelines.

Eligibility
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After the purpose and meanings areas, the rules go over how trainees are eligible to receive the Education Freedom Account financing. Qualified trainees include:

• Students with specials needs


• Students experiencing homelessness


• Students in foster care


• Students who have actually formerly received the Succeed Scholarship


• Students who have parents who are active-duty military workers


• Students registering in kindergarten for the very first time


• Students who were formerly registered in an "F" ranked schools or a district in requirement of "intensive assistance"

Applications
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Parents need to use before August 1, 2023, by means of kind on the Department of Education's website, and might have to send other documentation. Some program funds can be paid out after that deadline if funds stay. Eligible applicants will be notified regarding how to activate their EFA account. Eligible trainees will continue to be authorized as funding is available.

Arrangement

Here's where things get intriguing. When approved, the EFA is established and the moms and dad should sign a contract that includes responsibilities about acceptable usage of the funds and reporting of expenditures.

The legal EFA arrangement parents need to sign includes:
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• A list of certifying expenses


• A waiver of the rights of students with disabilities


• A list of duties of account holders


• A contract to not register the student full-time in a public school while part of the EFA program (Would like to understand if students in part-time public school can receive EFA funds)

Financing

Each student in the Education Freedom Account program will get $6,672, split among quarterly payments, for the 2023-2024 academic year. Students who were previously receiving the Succeed Scholarship will receive the very same amount they got in the previous year. ClassWallet, the monetary group that protected the no-bid agreement to administer the voucher accounts, can maintain to 5%.

Ending eligibility

Trainees are no longer eligible for voucher money if they are:

• Enrolled full-time in public school (again, what about part-time?)


• Graduated from high school (How is this tracked for homeschooled trainees?)

When they turn 21 ,
• 21 years of age-- trainees may finish the school year
  

If they break any rules from the contract, the department can get rid of trainees from the program. The language states those who have actually "substantially misspent EFA funds" will be dismissed from the program. An appeal procedure exists for those who are eliminated.

Schools and service providers

Independent schools are licensed through the department after stating their intent to take part. These schools must meet accreditation requirements OR have actually looked for accreditation. While not completely accredited, such schools need to report accreditation development to the State Board "or its designee." (We're curious who the Board may designate to track progress.).

Schools need to also have been running for at least one year, supply evidence of insurance and financial capability to operate, or submit a bond or letter of credit with the department for needed funding. Schools need to inform the department when they lose accreditation, and they might reapply. Department will release notices to schools about concerns of modifications in eligibility.

Compliance.

The department will contract with an "unaffiliated auditor" to randomly audit voucher spending.

The department should develop an online scams reporting system where people can anonymously allege a violation of voucher program guidelines by an account holder. Investigations might be referred to the attorney general or the Department of the Inspector General.

Appeal.

An appeal form is on the department website. Appeals follow a two-step process that consists of due dates of a few weeks between each level of determination. The State Board approves or denies appeals through a hearing procedure and has 14 days to reveal a choice.

Program Evaluations.

Schools must administer an exam that is needed in public schools OR a similar general education examination. The department can likewise approve an examination that a school has actually used in among the previous three years.

Trainees with recognized impairments may be offered an exemption for examinations, however the school or moms and dad must provide an alternative assessment or must offer info about the trainee's progress.

Schools with multiple voucher trainees should each year offer lists of students who took exams and lists of those who were exempt. They need to also provide the number of students who graduate. The rules also include criteria for the department to approve tests. The department will carry out a fulfillment survey of EFA receivers.

That's all, folks!

That's it on the first batch of guidelines about the LEARNS Act. There's a lot to unpack and a lot of questions to answer, and we hope you'll take this breakdown into factor to consider as you're planning your public remark.