(a)

1. (1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education may approve a public school's application to become a school of innovation for the purpose of transforming and improving teaching and learning.
2. (2) The commissioner must notify the applicant in writing whether the school of innovation application is approved or denied.

3. (3)

   1. (A) The public school must demonstrate substantial progress towards meeting the goals outlined in the approved school of innovation application with the purpose of transforming and improving teaching and learning within two (2) years of approval of the application.
   2. (B) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall provide support and monitoring of approved school of innovation application sites.
   3. (C) The public school must request an on-site designation review within the two-year period to demonstrate substantial progress.
   4. (D) Any school that does not demonstrate substantial progress towards meeting the goals outlined in the approved application, or fails to request an on-site designation review within the two-year period will not be designated as a school of innovation.
   5. (E) If a school is not designated as a school of innovation within two (2) years of approval of the application:

(i) It must submit a new application to the commissioner; and

1. (ii) All waivers approved as part of the application shall be revoked.

(b)

1. (1) The division may designate a public school as a school of innovation under Arkansas Code § 6-15-2802(a), if the public school has met the objectives outlined in the public school's application to become a school of innovation within the time period established in the public school's application.
2. (2) A school of innovation shall be approved and designated for a period of four (4) years.

3. (3)

   1. (A) A school of innovation may be renewed for four-year periods thereafter, at the commissioner’s discretion.

   2. (B) The review of renewal applications is based on the school of innovation's statement of goals and performance targets as required by 6 CAR § 32-106(b).

      1. (c)

4. (1) The commissioner may revoke a public school's school of innovation designation at any time if the public school fails to:

   1. (A) Substantially fulfill the school of innovation plan as established in the public school's school of innovation application;
   2. (B) Meet goals and performance targets; or
   3. (C) Comply with applicable laws or rules.

5. (2) The commissioner will notify the district or school of innovation in writing of the revocation and include the reasons for the revocation.

   1. (d) The commissioner’s decision to approve or deny an application, or to revoke a school’s designation:
6. (1) Shall be a final decision; and
7. (2) Cannot be appealed.