§ 6-18-509 - Assessment and intervention in alternative learning environments.
6-18-509. Assessment and intervention in alternative learning environments.
(a) As used in this section, "intervention services" means activities within or outside a school that will eliminate traditional barriers to learning.
(b) An Arkansas school district electing to operate an alternative class or school should provide for:
(1) Student assessment either before or upon entry into the class or school; and
(2) Intervention services designed to address the specific educational needs of individual students.
(c) A student assigned to an alternative class or school for behavioral reasons must receive intervention services designed to address the student's behavioral problems. Such intervention services shall not be punitive in nature but must be designed for long-term improvement of the student's ability to control his or her behavior.
(d) Along with its annual report to the Department of Education, a school district shall submit an assurance statement that it is in compliance with the establishment of an alternative learning environment.
(e) The department shall work with alternate classes and schools in assisting them in complying with the provisions of this section.
(f) The department shall periodically, but not less often than every three (3) years, monitor each school district or cooperative to ensure that alternative learning environments have been established, are conducive to learning, and are providing intervention services designed to address individual needs of students.
(g) A school district that does not comply with these provisions shall be identified each year in the department's annual school district report card.