ARKANSAS

Arkansas is a leading state in recognizing that dropouts and off-track students benefit from acceleration, not remediation—in their curriculum and instruction. Since HB 1056 was enacted in 2003, Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses have been made available to students in the most academically troubled areas through two-way interactive television. 

In 2007, Arkansas began reporting the National Governors Association cohort graduation rate, but it has not incorporated it into the state's accountability system for high schools and districts.

More recently, the state has taken steps to be more strategic in how it will approach dropouts. In 2009, HB 1956 created the Arkansas Project Graduation Commission, a standing committee staffed by the state Department of Education, with members appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Commissioner of Education and the director of the Department of Workforce Education, each serving three-year terms. The commission advises the legislature on effective strategies for improving high school and postsecondary outcomes and the costs of low educational attainment among young people on the state’s economy.  Under the purview of the Arkansas Graduation Commisssion is the development of a state-level early warning system.  The state Department of Education is expected to shift existing resources to assist the commission in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.