005.15.14 Ark. Code R. 016

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 005.15.14-016 - Arkansas Department of Education Rules Governing College and Career Readiness Planning Programs

1.00 REGULATORY AUTHORITY

1.01 These regulations are enacted pursuant to the authority contained in Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-11-105, 6-15-441, 6-16-601et seq, 25-15-201 et seq., and Act 1073 of 2013.

2.00 PURPOSE

2.01 The purpose of these rules is to establish guidelines for the implementation of:

2.01.1 the Arkansas College and Career Readiness Planning Program; and

2.01.2 Postsecondary preparatory programs in Arkansas.

3.00 DEFINITIONS

For purposes of these rules, each term below shall be defined as follows:

3.01 "ACT" means the American College Test.

3.02 "College readiness assessment" means a test that measures student readiness for postsecondary learning and is administered pursuant to these Rules or is used by institutions of higher education as part of their admissions, placement, and scholarship processes.

3.02.1 "College readiness assessment" includes without limitation the EXPLORE, PLAN, and PSAT assessments.

3.03 "College readiness benchmark" means the minimum score on a college readiness assessment in mathematics, English, or reading indicating that a student has a high probability of success in entry level postsecondary education.

3.03.1 College readiness benchmarks shall be determined jointly by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the State Board of Education.

3.04 "Department" means the Arkansas Department of Education.

3.05 "Designated College Readiness Course" means a regular instructional course taken during a student's senior year of high school that is designated by:

3.05.1 Local school officials to assist in the improvement of a student's placement test scores for mathematics, English language arts, or reading; or

3.05.2 The Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education as an appropriate course for college readiness.

3.06 "Eligible student" means a public school student in Arkansas who:

3.06.1 Is enrolled in or has completed any of grades eight through eleven (8-11) and has not yet begun grade twelve (12);

3.06.2 Is identified through a college readiness assessment as scoring below a college readiness benchmark in mathematics, English, or reading;

3.06.3 Receives the counseling required under Section 4.05 of these Rules; and

3.06.4 Desires to enroll in postsecondary education.

3.07 "EXPLORE" means the pre-ACT assessment designed to help students in grade eight (8) explore a broad range of options for their future and focus not only on high school coursework but also on post-high school choices as well.

3.08 "Placement test" means a test for entrance to postsecondary education that is either approved by the State Board of Education, or designated by the Department of Higher Education.

3.08.1 For the purpose of these Rules, "Placement test" includes without limitation the ACT.

3.09 "PLAN" means the pre-ACT assessment for students in grade ten (10) used to help a student focus attention on improved academic achievement, career preparation, and planning for post-high school years.

3.10 "Postsecondary preparatory program" means an intensive program approved under these Rules that is focused on preparing students for entry-level postsecondary work in the areas of mathematics, English, and reading based on identified needs for college enrollment and placement.

3.11 "PSAT" means the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test that provides practice for the SAT Reasoning Test and gives students feedback on individual strengths and weaknesses on college readiness skills.

4.00COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS PLANNING PROGRAM -IMPLEMENTATION

4.01 Each public school that serves students in grade eight (8) shall administer EXPLORE to each student enrolled in grade eight (8) at the public school.

4.02 Each public school that serves students in grade ten (10) shall administer PLAN or the PSAT to each student enrolled in grade ten (10) at the public school.

4.03 Funding for the college readiness assessments listed in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 of these Rules may be provided by the Department using at-risk funding or other funds appropriated and authorized for this purpose.

4.04 Each public school district shall use the college readiness assessments:

4.04.1 To assist students with college and workforce readiness skills, course selection in high school, and improved academic achievement;

4.04.2 To identify students who do not meet the college readiness benchmarks in mathematics, English, or reading; and

4.04.3 To provide the basis for the counseling concerning postsecondary preparatory programs as required by Section 4.05 of these Rules and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-603.

4.05 Each public school district shall ensure that every student identified under Section 4.04.2 is counseled by a public school counselor and strongly encouraged to enroll in a postsecondary preparatory program approved under these Rules.

4.06 The public school district shall make every reasonable effort to involve parents or guardians in student counseling and placement of students.

4.07 Each public school shall fully incorporate the results from the college readiness assessments into the college and career planning process for each student. The ADE shall monitor the utilization of these assessments to ensure public school compliance.

5.00 POSTSECONDARY PREPARATORY PROGRAMS - APPROVAL

5.01 No later than September 30, 2011, and no later than May 1 of each year thereafter, any of the listed entities may submit to the Department an application for authorization to operate a postsecondary preparatory program in Arkansas:

5.01.1 One or more school districts;

5.01.2 One or more institutions of higher education; or

5.01.3 A partnership of one or more school districts and one or more institutions of higher education.

5.02 An application for authorization shall include:

5.02.1 A list of the participating school district[s] or institution[s] of higher education;

5.02.2 The number and location of sites at which postsecondary preparatory programs will be offered;

5.02.3 A program description, including identification of the curriculum, content guides, and instructional materials to be utilized;

5.02.4 Staffing and instructor qualifications;

5.02.5 Program schedules;

5.02.6 Guidelines for admission to the postsecondary program, including program eligibility requirements and selection criteria;

5.02.6.1 Admission guidelines should address whether and how the program will admit 12^th grade students under Section 6.03 of these Rules;

5.02.7 Disciplinary policies which will govern participants; and

5.02.8 Attendance requirements for participants.

5.03 The Department may approve an application for authorization after:

5.03.1 Determining that the application meets the criteria established by these Rules and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-601et seq;

5.03.2 Reviewing evidence of the postsecondary preparatory program's past performance and success, as reported under Section 9.0;

5.03.3 Reviewing the postsecondary preparatory program's past compliance with these Rules with Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-601et seq., and with other relevant state or federal law; and

5.03.4 Giving priority for approval to postsecondary preparatory programs operated by partnerships between one or more school districts and one or more institutions of higher education.

5.04 Authorization of an approved postsecondary preparatory program may be for a term defined by the Department of no more than one (1) year.

5.05 A postsecondary preparatory program shall not receive authorization under these Rules unless the postsecondary preparatory program files an annual application with the Department and the application is approved.

5.06 Content guides utilized by a postsecondary preparatory program must be approved by the Department and must:

5.06.1 Include the curricular goals in each content area; and

5.06.2 State clearly how the program goals will be met.

5.06.3 Postsecondary preparatory programs may utilize content guides developed by outside parties with the Department's approval.

6.00 POSTSECONDARY PREPARATORY PROGRAMS - ENROLLMENT

6.01 An eligible student may enroll in and attend a postsecondary preparatory program at any time between:

6.01.1 The first day of school after July 1 of the year in which the student first enters grade eight (8); and

6.01.2 The first day of school after July 1 of the year in which the student first enters grade twelve (12).

6.02 An eligible student shall receive priority for enrollment in a postsecondary preparatory program if the eligible student qualifies for free and reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1751et seq., as verified by a signed Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application on file with the entity administering the postsecondary preparatory program.

6.02.1 If the postsecondary preparatory program is administered by an entity other than the student's home district, the program shall furnish a Free and Reduced Price School Meals Family Application to the student solely for the purpose of determining eligibility under this section.

6.02.2 No public school district, public school, or charter school may disclose any student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals to any other entity, including a public school district or institution of higher education administering a postsecondary preparatory program.

6.02.3 A postsecondary preparatory program may disclose a student's eligibility for free and reduced price meals to the Department.

6.03 Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 6.01, if space and funding are available after all eligible students who applied to attend a postsecondary preparatory program are enrolled, the Department may permit a postsecondary preparatory program to enroll a student in grade twelve (12) or a high school graduate if the student or graduate:

6.03.1 Scores below college readiness benchmarks on a college readiness assessment or placement test; and

6.03.2 Will enroll in the postsecondary preparatory program no later than three (3) months after graduating from an Arkansas high school.

6.04 An eligible student, or a student enrolled under Section 6.03, may enroll in one (1) or more of the curriculum areas in which the student has scored below the college readiness benchmark as identified by college readiness assessments.

7.00 POSTSECONDARY PREPARATORY PROGRAMS - OPERATION

7.01 A postsecondary preparatory program approved under these Rules shall:

7.01.1 Provide advice that will better prepare eligible students for entry-level postsecondary work in the areas of mathematics, English, and reading;

7.01.2 Improve diagnostic efforts, counseling, placement, and instruction for eligible students;

7.01.3 Provide intensive remedial instruction to eligible students enrolled in the postsecondary preparatory program in one (1) or more of the following curriculum areas:

7.01.3.1 Mathematics;

7.01.3.2 English; and

7.01.3.3 Reading;

7.01.4 Effectively use college readiness assessments to monitor the progress of participants in the postsecondary preparatory program; and

7.01.5 Use innovative teaching and learning strategies that are designed to be effective with participants in the postsecondary preparatory program.

7.02 Remedial instruction provided by an approved postsecondary preparatory program shall:

7.02.1 Consist of a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours or more of instruction for each curriculum area offered;

7.02.2 Conform to content guides as approved by the Department, in consultation with the Department of Higher Education;

7.02.3 Conform to individualized plans developed for each student;

7.02.4 Be offered in classes containing no less than ten (10) students and no more than fifteen (15) students; and

7.02.5 Be offered on one or more days from Monday through Saturday, during any hours that participants are not required to attend public school.

7.03 A postsecondary preparatory program approved under these Rules shall use instructors with appropriate content knowledge and specialized training developed by the Department of Education for instructors of developmental education.

7.03.1 A postsecondary preparatory program may use an instructor who does not hold an Arkansas teaching license only if the non-licensed instructor works together with an instructor who holds a current Arkansas teaching license.

7.03.2 Instructors must hold one (1) of the following:

7.03.2.1 A current Arkansas secondary teaching license in the field to be taught;

7.03.2.2 A bachelor's degree with an undergraduate major in the field to be taught; or

7.03.2.3 A graduate degree in the field to be taught.

7.03.3 Instructors who will assist students with diagnosed reading problems must hold or be eligible to hold a current Arkansas teaching license with the Reading Specialist or Reading endorsement.

7.03.4 Instructors shall attend scheduled in-service training administered by the Department.

7.04 An Arkansas public high school shall award one (1) unit of credit as an elective for successfully completing a postsecondary preparatory program under these Rules.

7.04.1 The unit of credit awarded under this section shall not count toward the minimum number of credits required by law for high school graduation.

8.00 POSTSECONDARY PREPARATORY PROGRAMS - FUNDING

8.01 The Department may provide funding for approved postsecondary preparatory programs from at-risk funding or other funds appropriated and authorized for this purpose.

8.01.1 The Department shall give priority for funding to postsecondary preparatory programs operated by partnerships between one or more school districts and one or more institutions of higher education.

8.01.2 Funding provided by the Department may be used by a postsecondary preparatory program only for those costs directly related to the proper administration of the program, including without limitation administrative costs, stipends, instructional materials, and site operational costs.

8.01.3 Funding provided by the Department may not be used to purchase tangible personal property if the property has:

8.01.3.1 A useful life of more than one (1) year; and

8.10.3.2 An acquisition cost of $300 or more per unit.

8.01.4 Any balance of funds provided by the Department and remaining at the conclusion of the program term shall be returned to the Department.

8.02 The opportunity to participate in a postsecondary preparatory program under these Rules shall not be interpreted as mandating the Department to fund postsecondary preparatory programs at a cost in excess of the funds appropriated and authorized in the Public School Fund for this purpose.

8.03 An Arkansas public school district may use National School Lunch student categorical funding received under Ark. Code Ann. § 6-20-2305 to operate or support an approved postsecondary preparatory program, subject to the planning and reporting requirements of the Department's Rules Governing the Monitoring of Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plans (ACSIP).

8.04 A postsecondary preparatory program shall not receive funding from the Department unless the postsecondary preparatory program files an annual application with the Department and the application is approved.

9.00 POSTSECONDARY PREPARATORY PROGRAMS - EVALUATION

9.01 A postsecondary preparatory program approved under these Rules shall document evidence of its performance and the success of its participants.

9.02 Within ninety (90) days of the end of the approval term specified under Section 5.04 of these Rules, each approved postsecondary preparatory program shall submit the following data in a form and manner approved by the Department:

9.02.1 The total number of participants and the number of participants in each grade level;

9.02.2 The number of participants who were eligible for free and reduced-price meals under the National School Lunch Act;

9.02.3 The total number of participants in each curriculum area identified in Section 7.01.3;

9.02.4 The progress of participants monitored in the postsecondary preparatory program through the use of college readiness assessments;

9.02.5 The number of participants who enrolled in the postsecondary preparatory programs and:

9.02.5.1 Scored lower than the statewide minimum scores established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for college placement; or

9.02.5.2 Scored at or higher than the statewide minimum scores established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for college placement;

9.02.6 Student-specific data for each individual participant, including:

9.02.6.1 Name, gender, grade level, identification number, and other identification data specified by the Department;

9.02.6.2 Free and reduced lunch status;

9.02.6.3 Curriculum area(s) in which the student enrolled; and

9.02.6.4 Placement test scores;

9.02.7 Daily attendance;

9.02.8 The final percentage of participants meeting the attendance requirements contained in the program's application;

9.02.9 An itemization of the source and amount of all funds expended to support the approved postsecondary preparatory program; and

9.02.10 An itemization of the source, payee, amount, and purpose of all expenditures made from funds provided by the Department or by any Arkansas public school district.

9.03 The Department, in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, shall collect and analyze the data reported by approved postsecondary preparatory programs under Section 9.02.

9.03.1 The Department shall store all student data in the Arkansas Public School Computer Network.

9.03.2 The Department shall present its data analysis in the annual school performance reports required by Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-1402.

9.0 4 The Department shall annually release to the General Assembly the following data:

9.04.1 The number and type of postsecondary preparatory programs approved;

9.04.2 For each approved postsecondary preparatory program, the public school district[s] and/or institution[s] of higher education operating the postsecondary preparatory programs approved;

9.04.3 The amount of funding the Department distributed to each postsecondary preparatory program; and

9.04.4 The data collected from each approved postsecondary preparatory programs under Section 9.02, after removing any personally identifiable student information as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

9.05 Data collection shall be maintained by the Department for the purpose of:

9.05.1 Increasing college and career readiness skills;

9.05.2 Improving instruction;

9.05.3 Enhancing school improvement plans;

9.05.4 Reducing the college remediation rates of students; and

9.05.5 Developing and implementing postsecondary preparatory programs under these Rules.

9.06 The Department shall report to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education no later than December 31 of each year on the:

9.06.1 Implementation and effectiveness of the Arkansas College and Career Readiness Planning Program; and

9.06.2 Statistical analysis of postsecondary preparatory programs under these Rules.

9.06.3 The report may be posted on the Department of Education's website with a notification to the Committees.

10.00 PLACEMENT TESTS

10.01 An Arkansas public school student enrolled in grade eight (8) or grade ten (10) may take a placement test at no cost to the student at a date, time, and location set by the State Board of Education.

10.01.1 Each public school district shall use the placement test scores to identify every student who scores below the statewide minimum scores established by the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board for mathematics, English, or reading.

10.01.2 Each public school district shall ensure that every student identified pursuant to Section 10.01.1 is counseled by a public school counselor and strongly encouraged to enroll in a Designated College Readiness Course.

10.02 Each public school district shall ensure that every Arkansas public school student enrolled in grade eleven (11) is advised by a public school counselor of the opportunity under Section 10.03 to take a placement test during grade twelve (12) at no cost to the student.

10.03 An Arkansas public school student enrolled in grade twelve (12) may take a placement test at no cost to the student at a date, time, and location set by the State Board of Education if:

10.03.1 The student successfully completes a postsecondary preparatory program; and

10.03.2 The student is enrolled in a Designated College Readiness Course.

10.04 At the request of a student, the student's placement test score will be made available to and will be accepted by and recognized toward meeting enrollment requirements of state-supported colleges, universities, and postsecondary vocational schools in Arkansas.

10.05 Availability of placement tests under Sections 10.01 and 10.03 shall be dependent on the availability of funds appropriated and authorized for that purpose.

005.15.14 Ark. Code R. 016

10/7/2014