Latest news with #ArkansasACCESSAct
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NWA Council, University of Central Arkansas host roundtable on higher education's role in regional growth
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Northwest Arkansas Council and University of Central Arkansas hosted an educational roundtable at the Fayetteville Town Center on Wednesday, where panelists discussed how institutions of higher education are working to prepare students for the workforce. The panelists included Houston Davis, the president of the University of Central Arkansas, Charles Robinson, the chancellor of the University of Arkansas, and Dennis Rittle, the president of the NorthWest Arkansas Community College. This event was part of UCA's NWA Blitz, a way for UCA to strengthen its connection with Northwest Arkansas. Student athletes speak on impact of Arkansas' first sports officiator class 'The hope is that every student is placed when they leave high school, that they have a job or they have an enrollment in the higher ed program or they have an enlistment with the military,' Jennifer Morrow, Executive Director of Secondary Education at Bentonville Schools, who attended the event, said. 'We want them to be employed, enrolled or enlisted so that they have a smooth transition to their next step in life.' The panelists spoke on preparing students for a changing workforce, the Arkansas ACCESS Act, and how the public colleges and universities across the state can work together to improve higher education and meet the needs of communities across the state. 'These universities and colleges do work together on common priorities,' Davis said. 'And when it comes to things like economic development and community development, and lifting up families and opportunities for students, those are all things that we agree on. So, seeing that that's a common message and a common value that we share, that's the number one thing.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What is Arkansas ACCESS?
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs the Arkansas ACCESS Act at the Arkansas Economic Development Foundation Luncheon on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Randall Lee for the Arkansas governor's office) Arkansas ACCESS is a higher education overhaul bill signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week. The legislation, which was filed as two identical 123-page bills in the House and Senate, is an acronym for acceleration, common sense, cost eligibility, scholarships and standardization. Here are some highlights of the major parts of the legislation: Expands accelerated high school coursework beyond Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs to include Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education courses, concurrent credit courses or similar programs approved by the state education department. Allows accelerated courses to receive weighted credit. Repeals efforts to reduce the participation gaps and performance gaps in AP classes between African American, Hispanic and Caucasian students. Beginning in 2025-2026, all public school districts and charter schools shall offer at least four accelerated learning courses that cover math, English, science and social studies. Beginning in 2025-2026, the tuition rate for a concurrent credit course offered by public schools shall be between 0.5% and 2.5% of the per-pupil amount and will not exceed the standard tuition rate and fee structure of the higher education institution providing the course. Students and their parents will not be responsible for tuition, fees or materials for participation in a concurrent credit course. Amends the current K-12 school rating system and directs the education department to develop a new formula for determining a letter grade ranking for public school districts and education service cooperatives. Strikes language that previously called for the rating system to consider English-learner progress and one of several other indicators, including closing the achievement gap, equity in resource allocation or preschool access. Permits a Purple Star designation for public schools and state-supported institutions of higher education that show 'significant commitment' to serving students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces. Establishes the Arkansas Direct Admissions Program beginning with the graduating class of 2026-2027. The program will include a common online application portal and establish provisional admissions criteria. Requires state-sponsored schools to accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) to the same extent they do the ACT and SAT tests for admissions and state-funded financial assistance programs. Prohibits public school districts from granting excused absences for political protests. Allows excused absences for public school students who, with parental consent, engage in social or public policy advocacy, or attempts to influence legislation or other governmental policymaking. Requires school districts to submit an annual report on the absences to the state education department. Prohibits state-supported institutions of higher education from granting excused absences for political protest, social or public policy advocacy, or attempts to influence governmental policymaking. Prohibits state-supported institutions of higher education from authorizing student walkouts for political protest, social or public policy advocacy, or attempts to influence governmental policymaking. Requires students who damage a state-supported institution of higher education while engaging in a political protest or public policy advocacy to be liable for the damages. Students found liable are ineligible to receive their degree or transfer credits to another Arkansas school until they pay for the damages. Prohibits employees at a state-supported institution of higher education from compelling someone 'to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to ideas or beliefs' that violate sections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but does allow for the discussion of history and concepts related to these topics. Prohibits conditioning enrollment or attendance based on race, ethnicity, sex, color or national origin. Prohibits a state-supported institution of higher education from collecting and reporting information related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for institutional accreditation purposes. Prohibits complying with institutional accreditation requirements related to DEI, including a diversity statement. Permits restricting state funding to institutions that don't comply with the bill's 'Rejecting Discrimination and Indoctrination in Postsecondary Education' subchapter. Prohibits institutions from expending state funds and to reject federal funds whose receipt requires them to violate this subchapter. Prohibits institutions from requiring current or prospective employees or students to submit a diversity statement. Does not prohibit institutions from directing recruitment, advertising or promotion efforts to a specific population of prospective or existing students. Permits the Arkansas Division of Higher Education (ADHE) to promulgate rules to implement a productivity-based funding model for two-year and four-year state-supported institutions. Incorporates a return-on-investment metric into the funding model. Requires ADHE to consult with the Governor's Workforce Cabinet during the development of the funding formula for noncredit programs. Permits the review process to result in the removal of tenure status or remedial training, and allows a tenured faculty member to appeal the decision. Permits immediate review of faculty members, including those with tenure, at any time if the institution determines they have 'exhibited professional incompetence,' been convicted of a crime affecting their fitness to do their job, or have 'engaged in unprofessional conduct,' among other things. Requires review framework to be reported to ADHE by Dec. 1, 2025, and implemented by Jan. 1, 2026. Tenure-related reports are due by Aug. 1 annually. Develops a statewide common course number system, with education officials to begin recommending additions and alterations beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Provides for a reverse transfer agreement for students seeking an associate degree who transfer to a four-year state-supported institution of higher education before earning an associate degree. Establishes an order for which institutions of higher education award financial aid, with federal aid being applied before state aid, except as otherwise provided by federal law. Increases the first year award for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program from $1,000 to $2,000. Creates the Arkansas Heroes Scholarship Act for children or spouses of 'heroes,' which include first responders, veterans, teachers and certain state employees who suffered a fatal injury or become permanently disabled as result of a duty that occurred within the scope of their employment. Scholarship benefits may not accrue if the wound or death was self-inflicted. Creates the Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship Program for students with disabilities. The program will offer a maximum award of $2,500 per qualifying semester, and recipients must maintain eligibility for up to eight continuous semesters or until credentialing is obtained. Renames the Arkansas Concurrent Challenge Scholarship Program to the ACCESS to Acceleration Scholarship Program, which supports the cost of concurrent credit courses under certain circumstances. Students may receive a maximum of $2,000 annually. Amends the Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program to direct recipients to be chosen based on students who graduate with a diploma of distinction or earn an associate degree upon completing the summer term immediately following high school graduation. Allocates up to $5 million to the Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship and increases the maximum annual award from $800 to $3,000. Classifies members of the U.S. military stationed in Arkansas and their dependents as in-state residents for state-funded scholarship purposes. Classifies other students as in-state residents if they have or will graduate from an Arkansas public school, private school or homeschool within nine months of enrolling in a state-supported institution of higher education; or established legal residency by meeting the requirements of rules promulgated by ADHE, and have been physically present in Arkansas for at least six continuous months with the intent to remain in the state. Removes some organizations previously designated in statute as required appointees to various committees and councils. Legislative sponsors said their bills eliminate 'without bias' entities that were not statutorily created, but these groups could still participate because the legislation allows for 'relevant stakeholders.' Reduces the size of some of these entities, including the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which will shrink from 12 governor-appointed members to seven beginning on May 1. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Four takeaways from the 10th week of the 95th Arkansas General Assembly
Video: Arkansas prison funding bill back to Senate after amendment fails in subcommittee LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas legislature had a busy week as it worked to pass several impactful bills. Bills covered a range of issues, but some of the bigger ones were: ELECTRIC UTILITIES Without fanfare, a bill signed into law this week changes the relationship between the Public Service Commission and the electric utilities it regulates and, ultimately, outcomes for ratepayers. Senate Bill 307 created the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025 by becoming Act 373. For ratepayers, rates will increase incrementally as power plant construction projects are undertaken, as opposed to rates going up a lot in a short period after a power plant is completed. Arkansas legislators vote for ivermectin over-the-counter sales, heads to governor's desk The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), said it was motivated by Arkansas losing two of its five coal-fired power plants in 2030 against an ever-rising demand for electrical power. ARKANSAS ACCESS Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law this week the higher-education-changing Arkansas ACCESS Act. The legislation is the higher education version of the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which was passed in 2023 to change K-12 education. Bill to bring online gaming to Arkansas filed in legislature The legislation includes provisions for accelerated learning in every public high school, including technical training, where students can access college-level coursework. ACCESS stands for acceleration, common sense, cost, eligibility, scholarship and standardization. PRISON FUNDING After an at-times full-throated debate in the Joint Budget Committee, the bill to finance the remainder of a proposed $825 million prison in Franklin County received a do-pass vote and is scheduled to return to the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon. Legislators speaking against the bill were concerned with what they saw as a lack of planning and the possible cost of resources not included in the bill, like wastewater treatment and road improvements. Arkansas constituents voice concerns at town hall meeting for 2nd Congressional district If the bill receives a favorable vote in the Senate, it will move to the House for further debate. 89 BILLS This week, the governor signed 89 bills into law in two separate signing sessions. Legislation ranged from routine allocation acts to acts clarifying abortion laws, enhancing human trafficking penalties and for dealing fentanyl, creating sports raffles, and protecting property owners when dirt bikes are ridden. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 42 bills into law
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed 42 bills into law on Tuesday. The new laws covered a range of issues, with significant bills including nitrogen gas executions and the Arkansas ACCESS Act reported elsewhere. New laws going into effect in Arkansas from the 95th General Assembly Other legislation signed into law by the governor include: SPORTS RAFFLE Higher education institutions in the state may now conduct sports raffles as fundraisers with the creation of Act 305 following the signing of House Bill 1634. The legislation included an emergency clause putting it into immediate effect. Sports raffles have become a popular way to fund paying scholar-athletes for name, image and likeness. WOKE FINANCE House Bill 1307, now Act 308, prevents state institutions from participating in any investment fund that targets global warming, has DEI initiatives, facilitates abortion or gender reassignment or limits firearms access. Exceptions are allowed if a negative financial impact is possible. PHARMACY ACCESS Pharmacies will be part of the state's Any Willing Provider law by signing House Bill 1587 as Act 310. This means that any pharmacy that is willing to do business with a health plan must be accepted. Because the bill has no emergency clause, it will go into effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns. ENHANCED SENTENCE If somebody steals freight or cargo, they will be eligible for an enhanced sentence of 10 additional years to their theft sentence due to Senate Bill 301 becoming Act 322. The act includes an emergency clause, putting it into immediate effect. DIRT BIKES A dirt bike rider who gets hurt may not sue a private property owner for injury with the passage of House Bill 1465 as Act 312. Exceptions exist for such things as intentionally injuring a rider or acts of gross negligence. SEX OFFENDER House Bill 1581, now Act 316, adds sex trafficking or grooming a minor for future sex trafficking to the list of sex offenders in Arkansas law. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Senate Bill 101, now Act 300, allows Arkansas to participate in the multi-state physician assistant license compact. ANTIQUE TAGS House Bill 1502, now Act 325, changes the definition of a historic or special interest vehicle from 45 to 30 years old, making it eligible for an antique vehicle license plate. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 41 bills into law The Tuesday signatures now mean 341 bills became law during the 95th General Assembly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Arkansas Access Act higher education bill into law
Video: Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform legislation LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the Arkansas ACCESS Act into law on Tuesday. Senate Bill 246, now Act 340, was the governor's signature piece of legislation. In her state-of-the-state address in January, she called for its passage of a bill modifying higher education, which she followed up with a speech announcing the legislation in mid-February. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announces Arkansas ACCESS higher education reform legislation ACCESS comes after the passage of the Arkansas LEARNS Act in the 2023 legislative session, modifying K-12 education. The bill doubles the amount available for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship from $1,000 to $2,000. It also changed funding to add lottery scholarships for trade school admission. Higher education institutions are not allowed to have or participate in DEI programs, and restrictions in the form of unexcused absences are now in place to prevent a student from participating in political protests. Back and forth among legislators about Arkansas ACCESS higher education legislation It also removes Advanced Placement with accelerated learning programs to increase emphasis on technical training. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
