6 CAR § 61-106 – Accreditation of public schools and public school districts

(a) A public school or public school district shall be:
1. (1) Accredited based on compliance with the standards for accreditation; and
2. (2) Identified as Accredited.
(b) A material and substantial failure to comply with any state or federal law, rule, or regulation that interferes with a public school or public school district’s obligation to provide a general, suitable, and efficient education may result in a recommendation of Cited or Probation status.
(c) Any person who knowingly submits or falsifies information requested or required by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may be subject to licensure action pursuant to:
1. (1) Arkansas Code § 6-17-410; and
2. (2) Other relevant state and federal law.
(d) Accreditation process.
1. (1) The division shall annually review all public school and public school district accreditation reports.
2. (2) The division shall:
  1. (A) Investigate any suspected deficiencies in meeting the standards for accreditation;
  2. (B) Investigate all written complaints alleging violations of the standards for accreditation received by the division;
  3. (C) Conduct additional review of public schools and public school districts identified as being at risk of failing to meet the standards for accreditation; and
  4. (D) Conduct an onsite review of public schools and public school districts whenever the division or State Board of Education deems necessary.
3. (3)
  1. (A) At any time, a public school or public school district that does not meet the standards for accreditation as determined by the division shall be notified in writing of the deficiency and the timeline for correction.
  2. (B) Any deficiency unresolved shall be reported to the state board for consideration of action.
4. (4) At any time, but no later than May 1, the division shall notify the public school district superintendent of the public school’s or public school district’s recommended accreditation status.
5. (5) The state board will review the recommendation from the division and make the final determination of accreditation status for the identified public schools or public school districts as outlined in 6 CAR § 61-107.
6. (6) Public schools and public school districts classified as Probation for more than two (2) consecutive school years shall be subject to enforcement actions pursuant to:
  1. (A) Arkansas Code § 6-15-207; and
  2. (B) 6 CAR § 61-108.