HB1495
Concerning The Transfer Of A Student's Permanent School Record.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill amends Arkansas law regarding the transfer of student permanent school records, with a particular focus on disciplinary actions. It mandates that when a student transfers between public schools within a district or to a nonresident public school, their permanent school record must transfer with them. This record is defined to include information on disciplinary actions such as suspensions, pending expulsions, and expulsions. Before accepting a transferring student who has been expelled or is pending expulsion, receiving schools (public or private) must obtain the student's permanent school record. An exception is made for foster children, who will have their education records requested and received under a different statute. The bill allows public and private schools to deny transfers for students pending expulsion or serving an expulsion. It requires schools to designate staff to verify the accuracy of these records. Providing false or incomplete information may result in a violation of the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education is tasked with developing procedures and promulgating rules for these record transfers.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be public and private schools and school districts in Arkansas. By ensuring the transfer of disciplinary records, these institutions would have better access to a student's disciplinary history when considering their enrollment. This could lead to more informed decisions regarding student placement and management, potentially improving school safety and discipline by allowing schools to be aware of previous behavioral issues. Educators and administrators would benefit from having more complete information to assess new students.
Who Might Suffer?
Students who have faced disciplinary actions, particularly expulsions or pending expulsions, could be negatively impacted by this bill. The mandatory transfer of this information could make it more difficult for them to enroll in new schools, potentially creating barriers to their education if schools choose to deny their transfer based on past disciplinary issues. While the bill includes an opportunity for a hearing and an exception for foster children, the increased transparency and mandatory reporting of disciplinary actions might lead to a more challenging transitional period for these students, potentially limiting their educational opportunities.