§ 6-15-420 - Remediation and intervention.
6-15-420. Remediation and intervention.
(a) (1) In order for students to be academically prepared to achieve proficiency in reading and writing literacy and mathematics, the Department of Education shall require each public school serving students in kindergarten through grade four (K-4) to develop, select, and implement ongoing, informal assessments linked to the Arkansas frameworks.
(2) Literacy assessment training and mathematics assessment training utilizing research-based diagnostic instruments or tools will be provided for teachers by the department. Where grant funds are available in the areas of highest need, a literacy coordinator may be trained.
(b) (1) Any student in kindergarten through grade one (K-1) failing to perform at the proficient level in reading and writing literacy or mathematics shall be evaluated as early as possible within each of the kindergarten through grade one (K-1) academic years. Those students shall be evaluated by personnel with expertise in reading and writing literacy or mathematics who shall develop and implement an academic improvement plan, using early intervention strategies sanctioned by the department, to assist the student in achieving the expected standard.
(2) Any student in grades two through four (2-4) failing to perform at the proficient level in reading and writing literacy or mathematics shall be evaluated by personnel with expertise in reading and writing literacy or mathematics who shall develop and implement an academic improvement plan, using remediation strategies sanctioned by the department, to assist the student in achieving the expected standard.
(c) (1) Upon completion of the intervention and remediation plans in subdivisions (b)(1) and (2) of this section, those schools that fail to achieve expected levels of student performance at the primary level on augmented, criterion-referenced, or norm-referenced assessments, as defined in this subchapter, shall participate in a comprehensive school improvement plan accepted by the department.
(2) (A) This plan shall be part of each school's long-range comprehensive school improvement plan and shall be reported to the public.
(B) Progress on improved achievement shall be included as part of the school and school district's annual report to the public.
(d) (1) As part of the comprehensive testing, assessment, and accountability program, the department shall ensure that each school and school district establishes a plan to assess whether children in the middle-level and high school grades are performing at proficient levels in reading and writing literacy, mathematics, and, as funds are available, other core academic subjects.
(2) Each school and school district shall use multiple assessment measures, which shall include, but not be limited to, state-mandated augmented, criterion-referenced, or norm-referenced assessments.
(e) Any student failing to demonstrate a proficient level of achievement in reading and writing literacy, mathematics, or, as funds are available, other core academic subjects shall participate in an individual academic improvement plan specifically designed to achieve proficient-level performance standards in these areas.