Summary

SB 233 (Act 1309) (Open States or Arkansas Legislature) raises the cap at any K-12 open-enrollment public charter virtual school from 500 students to 3,000 students. Students in the 2,500 additional slots must have been enrolled in an Arkansas public school for the first three quarters of the prior school year. The legislation also maintains funding for distance learning and technology grants, and appropriates $3 million for technology development and research grants.

Legislative Analysis

Prior to the passage of SB 233, enrollment at the state’s open-enrollment public charter virtual school, the Arkansas Virtual Academy (ARVA), was capped at 500 students. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, SB 233 raises the cap at any open-enrollment public charter virtual school to 3,000 students, who may be in any grade, K-12. This law does restrict enrollment in the 2500 additional slots to students enrolled in an Arkansas public school for the first three quarters of the prior school year.

The legislation also maintains previous levels of funding for distance learning and technology grants, as well as appropriates $3 million to the state’s Department of Education for grants to the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority for technology development and for research grants by the Department of Education.

This legislation promotes digital learning by providing Arkansas students and their families with improved school choice through greater access to enrollment in an on-line public school. Although ARVA is a K-8 school, this legislation expands its charter to include all grades, increasing access for those students in the future. SB 233 also demonstrates a financial commitment to digital learning and technological improvement.

 Legislative History

Detailed Vote History: Legiscan |  Open States

Approved by Governor Mike Beebe on 4/18/2013