6 CAR § 130-217 – Discrepancy model for the assessment of learning disabilities — Arkansas definition

(a) According to the psychometric standard established by the Special Education Unit of the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, a severe discrepancy exists between a student's intellectual ability and achievement when the level of severity is equal to or greater than 1.75 or more standard deviations at the fifty percent (50%) or above level of probability as determined by regression analysis.
(b) The determination of a severe discrepancy does not necessarily mean that there is a specific learning disability as other factors may contribute to a student's lowered academic performance.
(c) Conversely, there may be rare cases where a child has a specific learning disability but does not clearly demonstrate this upon use of a regression analysis standard.
(d) Local education agencies in Arkansas are not required to use this model in determining specific learning disabilities.