§ 6-18-220 - Excused absences for participation in FFA, FHA, and 4-H programs -- Equal treatment.
6-18-220. Excused absences for participation in FFA, FHA, and 4-H programs -- Equal treatment.
(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that:
(1) The FFA, FHA, and 4-H programs in the state involve an education and learning process that is not otherwise available in the regular curriculum of secondary education in Arkansas;
(2) The principles and practices learned by school students in the FFA, FHA, and 4-H programs are highly beneficial to students;
(3) Participation in such programs should be encouraged; and
(4) One method of encouraging participation in such programs is to excuse the absences of students from regular classes when the students are participating in officially sanctioned activities of those organizations.
(b) Therefore, it is the purpose and intent of this section to assure that class absences of students who are participating in sanctioned FFA, FHA, and 4-H activities are excused to such extent as may be determined by the boards of directors of the respective districts, with the participants in the three (3) programs being treated equally with respect to such absences.
(c) Any school district that excuses absences of FFA member students who attend officially sanctioned FFA activities shall afford equal treatment to FHA and 4-H member students who attend the same or similar officially sanctioned activities.