We are pleased to announce the approval of the Class Size Reduction Waivers for which we applied.
The United States Department of Education has approved Arkansas' request for waivers of the following requirements:
1. Sections 307(c)(2)(B) -- If the LEAs can demonstrate that they are unable to use any of its allocation effectively to reduce class sizes in the early grades, then a waiver of the 15 percent restriction on the use of funds for professional development is granted. This waiver will allow those LEAs to use their entire allocations for professional development. The professional development must be consistent with the intent and purpose of the Class-Size Reduction Program, must not supplant state or local funds available for these purposes, and must be in addition to the State requirements for professional development.
2. Section 307(c)(2)(C) -- This waiver will allow the LEAs to use Class-Size Reduction funds to reduce class size in full-day kindergarten programs.
3. Section 307(b)(2) -- This waiver will allow the LEAs to receive Class-Size Reduction allocations even if those allocations are smaller than the amount of a new teacher's starting salary in the LEAs. This waiver applies only if the LEAs combine other federal, state or local funds to hire full-time or part-time teachers to reduce class sizes for the full day or a significant part of the day.