Senate panel moves accreditation rules for review after ADE presentation

Little Rock — After receiving the ADE briefing on spending, the Senate Education Committee considered the Department's regularly scheduled biennial revisions to the Division rules governing standards for accreditation of public schools and districts.

Laurie Frano of the Arkansas Department of Education told members the rules had been revised following the 2021 legislative session, released for public comment in September 2021, and that the department completed the required Administrative Procedures Act public‑comment period. "A lot of them are technical changes and changes that were made as a result of legislation that was passed this past session," Frano said.

Committee members asked whether substantive changes had been made in response to public comment. Frano said there were no substantive changes resulting from the public comment period and that most edits were technical. Stacy Smith provided an update that civic and social standards were still being finalized and that staff would follow up on that work.

The chair asked for a motion to 'review' the proposed rules (exhibits D‑1 and D‑3). A member moved and a second was made; the committee took a voice vote and the chair announced the ayes had it, advancing the rules for the state board's consideration and any further procedural steps under the Administrative Procedures Act.

The committee adjourned and planned to resume the remainder of the ADE report at a later meeting.