HB1022
To Repeal Performance-based Incentive Awards For Public Schools And Open-enrollment Public Charter Schools.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to repeal the existing Arkansas School Recognition Program, which provides performance-based financial awards to public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools. These awards are currently distributed based on criteria related to student performance and academic growth, with different funding levels for schools in the top 5% and top 10% of performance. The program was established with the finding that incentive programs are common in the private sector and should be incorporated into the public sector to reward productivity. Funds received under the program were to be used for nonrecurring bonuses to faculty and staff, educational equipment, or temporary personnel, as determined by a committee of school administrators, teachers, and parents. The bill also states that the General Assembly shall appropriate sufficient funds to implement the program. By repealing this program, the financial incentives tied to school performance would be eliminated.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
If this bill becomes law, the primary beneficiaries would be the state's general fund or other legislative appropriations, as the funds previously allocated to the Arkansas School Recognition Program would no longer be designated for that specific purpose. This could lead to increased flexibility in budget allocation for other state priorities or a reduction in state spending on these specific school incentives. Additionally, schools that would have otherwise received these performance-based awards would no longer have that source of funding, thus directly impacting their ability to distribute bonuses or purchase resources funded by this program.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly and negatively impacted by this bill would be the public schools and open-enrollment public charter schools in Arkansas that are currently eligible for or have received performance-based incentive awards. This includes the faculty and staff of these schools who would no longer receive potential nonrecurring bonuses, as well as the students who would not benefit from the purchase of educational equipment or the provision of temporary personnel funded by this program. School administrators and parent committees responsible for determining the use of these funds would also be impacted, as this avenue for discretionary spending to improve student performance would be removed.