(a)
- (1) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may provide funding for approved postsecondary preparatory programs from at-risk funding or other funds appropriated and authorized for this purpose.
- (2) The division shall give priority for funding to postsecondary preparatory programs operated by partnerships between one (1) or more school districts and one (1) or more institutions of higher education.
(3) Funding provided by the division may be used by a postsecondary preparatory program only for those costs directly related to the proper administration of the program, including without limitation:
- (A) Administrative costs;
- (B) Stipends;
- (C) Instructional materials; and
- (D) Site operational costs.
(4) Funding provided by the division may not be used to purchase tangible personal property if the property has:
- (A) A useful life of more than one (1) year; and
- (B) An acquisition cost of three hundred dollars ($300) or more per unit.
- (5) Any balance of funds provided by the division and remaining at the conclusion of the program term shall be returned to the division.
- (b) The opportunity to participate in a postsecondary preparatory program under this part shall not be interpreted as mandating the division to fund postsecondary preparatory programs at a cost in excess of the funds appropriated and authorized in the Public School Fund for this purpose.
- (c) An Arkansas public school district may use Enhanced Student Achievement Funding received under Arkansas Code § 6-20-2305 to operate or support an approved postsecondary preparatory program, subject to the planning and reporting requirements of the division’s Rules Governing the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act, 6 CAR pt. 60.
- (d) A postsecondary preparatory program shall not receive funding from the division unless the postsecondary preparatory program files an annual application with the division and the application is approved.