Pursuant to Act 675 of 2003, effective beginning 2004-2005 school year, students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) shall be required to schedule and attend a full school day.
Act 675 of 2003 further states that students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) are required to enroll in no fewer than three hundred fifty (350) minutes of planned instructional time each day.
This requirement does not change Standard V in the RULES GOVERNING STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION OF ARKANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Standard V 10.01.4 requires that the planned instructional time in each school day shall not average less than six (6) hours per day or thirty (30) hours per week. Schools are still required to provide 360 minutes of instructional time per day.
The State Board is required to develop regulations for compliance with this act by January 30, 2004.