[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097884,"mediaKeyId","2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562","parentId",2826350,"title","Committee OKs change to virtual‑school testing rules allowing remote proctoring without continuous adult presence","audioSeconds",153,"startMs",732000,"endMs",885000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562&start=732&end=885","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562/thumbnail_732000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097884/Arkansas/Committee-OKs-change-to-virtualschool-testing-rules-allowing-remote-proctoring-without-continuous-adult-presence","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097884-5ef685a8cf6b0ef673bfc4276aed40e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668330&Signature=UO4X8KwQmGwcLltvCIu6balbxOrkIMBHr4hegD-qV0uccJuDq3jz-qDamtLpMp5P~h2MD5c-m~Rz5NIL-0t0EGRwjrgXbiKWyl7tMjCT8NFtKtWnbPbNKgtOzgnPjzy1X-0IywE4HUBL8HOnobKTnivgRIblp6dtuflIkns3BduVSmXJWO~0mOxWtwGPpt-hq2En5BlQApUNVGdbZ66wXfwqAS4meXxNkkYXnL4g0MCwa6uMPOyzJbZuRKZc6YLqVyQEwF~1GLexw~7q6gxtyhh~ABITo1xAs-4eIhR-DZpyyDfoyjjpf6Fb~2DvDeWIVe3BqWwsEcK1eF4ZJ3oNGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-31T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Education Committee members approved a measure to update proctoring rules for virtual school assessments, allowing technology‑based monitoring in lieu of an adult physically present in the room for the full test.

State Senator Jim Dodson (Sen. Dist. 34) said the bill removes the current statutory requirement that an adult be physically present for the full duration of an assessment for ninth‑through‑12th‑grade virtual students. Dodson said security protocols such as multiple camera angles and technology monitoring would serve as the proctor in those situations.

Committee members asked for clarification about how the technology would function when a proctor is not physically in the room. Dodson replied that the technology would act as the proctor and that rules already require camera monitoring (one camera facing the student and one to show the surrounding area) or equivalent safeguards. The sponsor said districts or virtual program operators would still be required to meet security and monitoring protocols.

No public testimony was offered against the bill in the committee transcript. The committee voted by voice; the presiding member announced the bill had passed.

Ending: The bill will move forward; sponsors said the change aligns testing rules with current proctoring technology and applies to high‑school‑level virtual students.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE 3/31/2025 9:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","A bill allowing technology‑based proctoring for ninth‑through‑12th‑grade virtual tests — removing the requirement that an adult be physically in the room for the entire test — passed the committee by voice vote.","taxTitle","EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",21181,"location","Arkansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097889,"Committee addresses student‑mentor bill; sponsors frame measure as codifying background checks",211,481000,692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562&start=481&end=692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562/thumbnail_481000.jpg","/articles/6097889/Arkansas/Committee-addresses-studentmentor-bill-sponsors-frame-measure-as-codifying-background-checks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097889-16d73cc28b92880eba16901b3b8fa97d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668330&Signature=X10jbTw0NU7aVtQRUOf9GtxyUKtIHj3R0IMgwPnprAPrbEuoyrloWMh~0~D7PZiqgavx6PnXid3THxK1auL-M0e1y2-a-jOSjJu47WczJx1uu0p5cJhWjtv1ifbflvR8TgZwbyGkrQb8SUwepA2vte9ADVvK~z2lxntolHIHKBQ9I16z6HpDFU7cenoO~DUSdFXvWTOI3GHrJzEh7jADSIwg6I86cNg4ZskrLiz1rQvFJofZIfjcnE2vIVPostcL4o4vZTmxUbSLP1sWMPcs9gfePxbEBGpwYGcQQ~-Igj1l2WVuMXptNTNqu6EJoOWeqeUXfbSZ08XMCL0JScrZjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A bill proposing a student‑mentor program that would let school districts create optional mentor programs and require statewide background checks for mentors drew questions about whether the measure simply codifies existing practice or changes the law.

The sponsor told the committee the Department of Education had suggested language to align the bill with department practice and said the measure would require criminal records checks, child‑maltreatment central registry checks, and other vetting before mentors could serve in schools. The sponsor described the change as a codified process to ensure districts and schools check mentors’ backgrounds before they are placed with students.

Committee members asked whether volunteers currently can enter schools without background checks. The sponsor replied that most of the practices are already allowed but that the department could clarify whether every existing volunteer pathway already requires the checks spelled out in the bill. The measure was amended in committee to reflect department suggestions and then presented for a vote; committee members then completed a roll call where some members voted aye but the presiding officer stated there were only three votes in the room initially and later concluded the committee did not have enough votes to adopt the motion as a final recorded action.

Ending: Sponsors said the bill was amended to reflect Department of Education feedback and that codifying the checks would provide consistent vetting across districts; because committee action was incomplete the bill’s future depends on further committee scheduling or reintroduction.","A bill to create optional district student‑mentor programs and require statewide background checks for mentors was presented; sponsors said much of the practice is already allowed but the bill would codify a standard vetting process; final committee action was not completed in the transcript.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097894,"Committee approves fetal‑development education bill after brief Q&A",230,190000,420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562&start=190&end=420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562/thumbnail_190000.jpg","/articles/6097894/Arkansas/Committee-approves-fetaldevelopment-education-bill-after-brief-QA","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097894-de47c86ca69e43ebbbe8bd9647b3979d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668330&Signature=LluZuwEtiuknI3M1F9-qOYdvvg1mB-n0u0zx2PHV6s3BQu8ppXUodu7JZ-~hBrnIeh1PDEZ1~SXBWmqwrcFDHEy9ZFf8k6womW4ohTszs3AalAzIejCbTOk~DH8xZ089NFsBerhQ5YnpZchA4T~4QlED---SiMsi9Ul7cs1zc9n8SrYCKEy41RpTm~0qPbUjVPCuXh130SvFBdmmN~QkEgprJa~9cwXVgk4~sb2i59goi8VpFsc0zAoJSCEeC7HeQdFHtCdcfP4007SsxFFT5hl9Ve6fpPgDdS-BbM~01jeOSLBvcg085nL6YHmm8Rg2gxPLj1LRuogyo7guISD7LQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee voted to advance the Human Fetal Growth and Development Education Act after a sponsor said the measure incorporates previously requested amendments and aligns with Department of Education curriculum standards.

Under the bill, classroom instruction would include information on fertilization and each stage of prenatal development; the sponsor said the measure allows students, at an appropriate time in class, to view high‑definition ultrasound imagery showing early fetal structures including brain and heart development. The sponsor said the Department of Education and curriculum committee would determine which instructional resources meet the statute’s standards and that there is no regulatory rule promulgation required.

Committee members asked whether the State Board of Education would review or have veto authority over specific materials. The sponsor and other committee members stated the decision rests with the Department of Education’s curriculum committee and the department would consult the Department of Health, but the State Board would not separately promulgate rules or review each resource under the bill’s text.

After brief questions the committee performed a voice vote. The presiding member called for ayes and nays; the sponsor was told, “You passed your bill.”

Ending: The bill now moves out of committee; the text requires the department and its curriculum committee to assemble instructional resources consistent with state standards.","The committee voted to pass a bill requiring instruction on human fetal development, including high‑definition ultrasound materials and stages of development; the Department of Education will work with curriculum committees on resources, and the measure passed by voice vote in committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097899,"Senate debate on school‑choice overhaul bogs down as committee fails to reach quorum",2563,1109000,3672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562&start=1109&end=3672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2826350-c403e38a99f9512ce6f042ef7606d562/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","/articles/6097899/Arkansas/Senate-debate-on-schoolchoice-overhaul-bogs-down-as-committee-fails-to-reach-quorum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097899-6221a0b4f3b8623e5725ff1bc97e808d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770668330&Signature=SV~W3~Cz9iAe~awMkCHNso1a0sy0QXIZmtiNmWZTF4~rcxDi7grZ3fNkKqYLpjhPFrcUpwiLKTdpXvuEDRmMPHe98WlWuBkyf39sEIwbg4xOfivP8Co~KKHi8BMMFId2Kw4eBSY3TLKhATpiqtj~tH-v9pfeiYN3qSx94hFXNYv~MXj0Y6AP~s09~sh-DLUeS-tutfPZlou8PXyc8-NBLIlTAhpegmhhJp7TrUjdAAFxuXFx95l9ErId~DofoQauti6nOdP649miksL6HsoeOTSIpZJ5L9M8F~p2o3xf7qN-A-eTtlzzr7R947qU5F8~OkiMSQ92tRengJO28KzuyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Education Committee members and a broad set of school officials spent a lengthy session debating a package of changes that would relocate major provisions of the Opportunity School Choice Act under the general Public School Choice Act and add new limits tied to capacity and expulsions. The committee did not complete final action on the measure after senators said the panel lacked enough votes to pass it.

The bill’s sponsors and district attorneys said the measure would clarify when districts may deny transfers for capacity or disciplinary reasons and preserve an appeal to the State Board of Education. Supporters argued the change would let districts apply consistent, up‑to‑date capacity rules and avoid unforeseen facility and staffing costs.

Opponents said the revisions would reduce independent oversight for students seeking to transfer out of persistently low‑performing schools. Gary Newton of Arkansas Learns told the committee the bill would remove a third‑party backstop that previously required stricter capacity thresholds for Opportunity transfers, and he said the bill also introduces “pending expulsion” as a ground to deny a transfer — a change he called ambiguous and potentially harmful to families seeking relief from failing schools.

Supporters, including Senator Kim Hammer (Sen. Dist. 16) and Jeremy Lasser (attorney for Bryant Public Schools), said the bill does not eliminate Opportunity School Choice but consolidates its provisions into the Public School Choice Act and preserves an appeal process to the State Board. They said the change would allow the Department of Education to promulgate capacity rules for legislative review and would let districts rely on department data on enrollments and staffing when denying transfers.

District superintendents and school administrators described operational pressures that shaped their testimony. Brian Duffy (Alma School District) and Shane Patrick (Solomon Springs School District superintendent) said capacity is more than seats: staffing, special education caseloads, and program‑level limits can make a school unable to accept additional students even if an empty desk exists. They said deference to district capacity determinations, backed by department data, would help avoid unplanned hires and portable classrooms.

The amendment process also surfaced procedural objections. Senator Allen Clark offered a large amendment that would fold additional capacity clarifications into the bill; some committee members said the amendment was too large and had not been read closely enough in advance. After extended debate and a motion to pass, Senate staff conducted a roll call. Members recorded a mix of aye and no votes during the roll call sequence, but the presiding officer concluded the committee did not have sufficient votes and deferred final action.

Because the committee did not reach a final recorded approval, the bill will not be reported to the full Senate at this time. Sponsors said they will continue to work with stakeholders and consider separate measures addressing capacity if members request narrower fixes.

Ending: The dispute highlights the competing goals legislators must balance: preserving a parent’s right to move a child out of a low‑performing school while recognizing district operational limits for classrooms and special education. Sponsors and opponents said they will continue negotiations before the bill returns to committee or is refiled in a narrower form.","Senators, district leaders and school‑choice advocates spent more than two hours debating amendments, capacity rules and appeals to the State Board of Education for a proposed rewrite of Arkansas school‑choice law; the committee did not record final passage after members said it lacked the votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee OKs change to virtual‑school testing rules allowing remote proctoring without continuous adult presence

Committee addresses student‑mentor bill; sponsors frame measure as codifying background checks

Committee approves fetal‑development education bill after brief Q&A

Senate debate on school‑choice overhaul bogs down as committee fails to reach quorum