(a) No later than May 1 of each year, any of the listed entities may submit to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education an application for authorization to operate a postsecondary preparatory program in Arkansas:

1. (1) One (1) or more school districts;
2. (2) One (1) or more institutions of higher education; or
3. (3) A partnership of one (1) or more school districts and one (1) or more institutions of higher education.

(b) An application for authorization shall include:

1. (1) A list of the participating school district or districts or institution or institutions of higher education;
2. (2) The number and location of sites at which postsecondary preparatory programs will be offered;
3. (3) A program description, including identification of the curriculum, content guides, and instructional materials to be utilized;
4. (4) Staffing and instructor qualifications;
5. (5) Program schedules;

6. (6)

   1. (A) Guidelines for admission to the postsecondary program, including program eligibility requirements and selection criteria.
   2. (B) Admission guidelines should address whether and how the program will admit students in grade twelve (12) under 6 CAR § 94-105(c);
7. (7) Disciplinary policies that will govern participants; and
8. (8) Attendance requirements for participants.

(c) The division may approve an application for authorization after:

1. (1) Determining that the application meets the criteria established by this part and Arkansas Code § 6-16-601 et seq.;
2. (2) Reviewing evidence of the postsecondary preparatory program’s past performance and success, as reported under 6 CAR § 94-108;

3. (3) Reviewing the postsecondary preparatory program’s past compliance with:

   1. (A) This part;
   2. (B) Arkansas Code § 6-16-601 et seq.; and
   3. (C) Other relevant state or federal law; and
4. (4) Giving priority for approval to postsecondary preparatory programs operated by partnerships between one (1) or more school districts and one (1) or more institutions of higher education.

(f)

1. (1) Content guides utilized by a postsecondary preparatory program must:

   1. (A) Be approved by the division;
   2. (B) Include the curricular goals in each content area; and
   3. (C) State clearly how the program goals will be met.
2. (2) Postsecondary preparatory programs may utilize content guides developed by outside parties with the division’s approval.