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Bill

HB 1939

TO AMEND ELIGIBILITY FOR TEACHER INCENTIVE AND MERIT PAY; TO AMEND REQUIREMENTS FOR SUMMATIVE EVALUATIONS; AND TO AMEND SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE MERIT TEACHER INCENTIVE FUND PROGRAM.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Carr and 1 co-sponsor

Act 808 expands merit pay eligibility for Arkansas teachers, updates evaluation processes, and aims to enhance teaching quality, benefiting students and districts.

Notification that HB1939 is now Act 808
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Bill Summary · HB 1939

Summary of House Bill 1939 (Act 808)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1939, now known as Act 808, aims to amend existing provisions related to teacher incentive and merit pay in Arkansas. The bill seeks to enhance the eligibility criteria for teachers to receive merit-based compensation, update requirements for summative evaluations, and revise school district obligations under the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program.

Key Provisions

The bill includes several significant amendments:

1. Eligibility for Teacher Incentive Pay

  • New Deadline: Teachers must meet the eligibility requirements by July 1, 2025, to qualify for incentive funds related to National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification.

2. Summative Evaluations

  • Evaluation Process: Summative evaluations must now:
    • Result in a written determination of the teacher's performance across all evaluation domains.
    • Utilize an appropriate evaluation framework and rubric.
    • Incorporate multiple sources of evidence, including direct and indirect observations, artifacts, and data.
  • Flexibility in Evaluation: Schools can adopt policies to include:
    • Peer observations and student feedback in evaluations.
    • Substitute parts of the summative evaluation with components from the teacher's certification work.

3. Annual Ratings

  • Schools that do not conduct a summative evaluation in a given year must perform an annual rating that meets the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program requirements.

4. Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program

  • Expanded Eligibility: The bill broadens the categories of teachers eligible for awards, including:
    • Teachers demonstrating outstanding growth in student performance.
    • Mentors for aspiring teachers.
    • Teachers in critical shortage areas.
    • Other categories as defined by the State Board of Education.

Affected Parties

  • Teachers: The bill directly impacts teachers seeking merit pay and those involved in the evaluation process.
  • School Districts: Districts will need to adjust their evaluation processes and reporting to comply with the new requirements.
  • Students: The changes aim to improve teaching quality, which could enhance student learning outcomes.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: March 31, 2025
  • Passed: The bill was passed by both the House and Senate on April 14, 2025.
  • Enacted: Officially became Act 808 on April 17, 2025.

Fiscal Impact

According to the Arkansas Department of Education, there is no fiscal impact associated with this bill.

This summary provides an overview of House Bill 1939, detailing its purpose, key amendments, and the implications for teachers and school districts in Arkansas.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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