TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE REGARDING THE COURSE CHOICE PROGRAM.

Senate Bill 604 amends Arkansas's Course Choice Program, which allows students in grades 6-12 to take individual courses from various providers. The bill expands student eligibility to include those attending public schools rated "C", "D", or "F" who need to take a required graduation course. Conversely, public schools or open-enrollment charter schools with a "D" or "F" rating are no longer eligible to offer courses through the program. The legislation also enhances oversight for course providers, requiring the State Board of Education to implement new authorization, review, and performance monitoring standards. Additionally, test scores from students participating in the program will now be included in their resident public school's annual performance report.