Section 6-16-1801 - Career-ready pathways description(a) Beginning with the ninth grade class of 2024-2025, a public high school student shall have the option to earn a high school diploma through a career-ready pathway.(b) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with other relevant state agencies and subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, shall develop a career-ready pathway to a high school diploma in Arkansas's high schools, which shall include:(1) Challenging academic courses; and(2) Modern career and technical studies aligned with high-wage, high-growth jobs in Arkansas.(c) A career-ready pathway shall be informed by the division's annual audit of the state's career pathways.(d) The state board shall adopt course and curriculum requirements for career-ready pathways offered by public school district boards of directors and open-enrollment public charter schools that are aligned with the requirements of this subchapter.(e)(1) A public school district shall issue a diploma to a student who successfully completes the requirements established by the state board for a career-ready pathway.(2)(A) A diploma issued to a student under subdivision (e)(1) of this section shall be given the same status and recognition for purposes of the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act, § 6-15-2901 et seq., as is given a standard diploma issued by a public school district.(B) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall not be penalized in any manner for students who are issued a diploma through a career-ready pathway.Added by Act 2023, No. 237,§ 20, eff. 3/8/2023.