ALL districts MUST conduct K-3 Summer School this year, with guidelines currently in place.
House Bill 1212 (HB1212), which eliminates mandatory K-3 Summer School, has passed both Houses of the Legislature and awaits the Governor's signature. The original bill was amended to require, "Those schools electing not to offer a summer school program shall offer a Department of Education approved remediation program during the regular school year to students in kindergarten through grade three (K-3) not performing at grade level."
The Department will recommend new Rules and Regulations to the State Board of Education, effective for the 1999-2000 academic year, that will evaluate a district's alternate plans for summer school. Only when a district's plans are so approved will the district be permitted to waive its summer school program.
The application for the 1999 Summer Supplemental Instructional program is attached. Please complete and return the original and one copy by April 30, 1999 to
Arkansas Department of Education
Early Childhood and Reading Unit
#4 State Capitol Mall, Room 402B
Little Rock, AR 72201
The student data form to identify the number of students who participated in the Summer School Program will be distributed in June, 1999.