The Purpose of the Annual Equity Compliance Report is to assure that each local district is in compliance with Standard I, 1993 Revised Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools, which states:
"ALL SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES AND ACTIONS SHALL BE NON-DISCRIMINATORY AND SHALL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS."
Ark.Code Ann. § 6-18-206 Section (i)(1), requires each district to annually report to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Equity Assistance Center, regarding compliance with civil rights responsibilities.
Section (i)(3) of the code allows the Arkansas Department of Education to withhold state aid from any district that fails to file a compliance report by October 15 each year.
Federal laws (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) have specific requirements of public schools as recipients of federal funds.
The Annual Equity Compliance report will be completed and submitted under the cycle two report.
The Equity Compliance report is submitted electronically to the Equity Assistance Center. School districts should keep signed copies on file for future record.