Much has changed in Arkansas’ public schools over the past three decades. But until last week, the standards for accreditation for the state’s public schools had not been amended since the 1980s.
The Arkansas Board of Education unanimously approved a revised set of state standards for accrediting schools and school districts, with the plan to go before a legislative subcommittee next week and the full legislative council on June 15th.
While Commissioner Johnny Key tweeted after the board’s meeting the new standards provide balance of accountability and flexibility for schools and opportunity for students, Mountain Home Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jake Long says he does not anticipate changes in the local education system, including graduation requirements.
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Under the plan, the new standards list 38 courses schools must provide. However, the standards do not list graduation requirements, instead saying students must acquire a minimum of 22 units of credit for graduation as determined by the state Board of Education.
Dr. Long says the Mountain Home school district will be ahead of the curve because of its broad course offerings.
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Long says the state’s accountability plan is in response to the federal government’s Every Student Succeed Act (ESSA). The legislation passed in 2015 narrowed the federal government’s role in elementary and secondary education, shifting the law’s federal accountability provisions to the states.
The Arkansas Department of Education’s Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services, Stacy Smith, has said the changes make the process of accreditation simpler and lift the burden of districts having to offer courses they don’t have teachers for, which puts school systems in danger of being put on probation.
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