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HB 1642

TO AMEND THE MEASURES CONSIDERED WHEN CALCULATING A SCHOOL RATING; AND TO ENSURE A STUDENT IS NOT COUNTED AS A DROPOUT FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATING A SCHOOL-LEVEL GRADUATION RATE IF THE STUDENT PASSES A GED TEST.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Justin Boyd and 1 co-sponsor

House Bill 1642 ensures students passing the GED aren't counted as dropouts, improving school ratings and accurately reflecting student achievement in Arkansas.

Notification that HB1642 is now Act 916
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1642

Summary of House Bill 1642 (Act 916)

Bill Number: HB 1642
Status: Enacted as Act 916
Introduced: March 3, 2025
Sponsor: Representative Gramlich
Amendment: Senate Amendment No. 1 adopted on April 15, 2025

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1642 aims to amend the criteria used to calculate school ratings in Arkansas. The primary intent is to ensure that students who pass a General Educational Development (GED) test are not counted as dropouts when calculating school-level graduation rates. This change is designed to provide a more accurate representation of school performance and student achievement.

Key Provisions

  • Amendment to School Rating Measures: The bill modifies Arkansas Code § 6-15-2108(a) to include a multiple-measures approach for assessing school ratings. This includes:

    1. Academic achievement on annual statewide assessments.
    2. Student growth on annual statewide assessments.
    3. School-level graduation rates.

  • Exclusion of GED Passers from Dropout Counts: A significant provision of the bill states that if a student passes a GED test during the year they drop out, they will not be counted as a dropout for the purposes of calculating the school-level five-year graduation rate.

  • Calculation of Graduation Rates: The bill mandates the calculation of two graduation rates:

    • One for federal requirements.
    • One for state requirements.

Affected Parties

  • Students: The bill directly impacts students who may drop out but subsequently pass a GED test, allowing them to be recognized for their achievement rather than being classified as dropouts.
  • Schools: Schools will benefit from potentially improved graduation rates, which could enhance their ratings and funding opportunities.
  • Education Agencies: The Arkansas Department of Education (DESE) will need to adjust its data collection and reporting processes to accommodate the new measures and graduation rate calculations.

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact statement indicates that there is no direct revenue impact from this bill. However, there may be additional costs associated with data sharing between DESE and workforce agencies if necessary.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 3, 2025: Bill filed and introduced.
  • April 9, 2025: Amendment No. 1 adopted.
  • April 10, 2025: Bill passed in the House and Senate.
  • April 21, 2025: Bill signed into law as Act 916.

Conclusion

House Bill 1642 represents a significant shift in how Arkansas calculates school ratings and graduation rates, particularly for students pursuing alternative education paths like the GED. By excluding GED passers from dropout counts, the legislation aims to provide a more equitable assessment of school performance and student success.

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

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