[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6283243,"mediaKeyId","2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1","parentId",2589229,"title","Senate Education Committee advances multiple noncontroversial education bills; committee hears SB 352 separately","audioSeconds",1062,"startMs",4988000,"endMs",6050000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1&start=4988&end=6050","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1/thumbnail_4988000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6283243/Arkansas/Senate-Education-Committee-advances-multiple-noncontroversial-education-bills-committee-hears-SB-352-separately","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283243-feb264015d4004085a687631b7eeb458/orig.mp4?Expires=1775504233&Signature=TkaKpBte91kmPhG4Dx0f~GkdTvS0ThFr25CqeFRMeWOLoOErcknQnKjuAsqouC5Ur6nLCO6~CbJwMwnh7iOaVfLXMQ6QOcYcz5GLxqeJvrnvNv4Bmq231Z-IJMnJxEInyrGG6kcLHUBXBaY2Lq9vZ~TUAbGuUms6KMBV-3E9jZ5Tijbfvq9JJnx8RnJKnSXXWUvaD0TfbC5-yXWL-i2eHU-8orHAm8zjTLWIEUg3tshgPVJbtgb0f4RBihtrAeBAu0Wjd~AJILiqngDqEGRXuVHwltKj~z-n~Nt3unbIM8bp6IOUUn3Lfr3ChLBbTOvg9tdIRJICpYRLRQjj7mlQZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arkansas Legislature","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Education Committee considered multiple short bills following longer hearings on House Bill 1370 and Senate Bill 352. Several noncontroversial or technical measures were approved by voice vote or unanimous consent, while the committee left more substantive items for additional debate.

What passed quickly:
- Senate Bill (not otherwise specified in transcript): A measure changing who may administer the oath for school board members and placing responsibility on elected members to arrange swearing-in within 10 days; panel approved by voice vote.
- Senate Bill 417 (presented by Senator Jim Dodson and Melissa Russ, University of Arkansas System): A multi-section cleanup bill removing outdated references to affirmative-action programs and revising procurement and classification language for two-year colleges and the university system; committee approved the revised bill.
- House Bill 1496 (Representative Andrews, language jointly drafted with the Department of Education): Gives districts more flexibility in professional development hours, reduces a state‑mandated hour count to allow locally tailored PD and clarifies licensure pathways; committee approved the bill after Department of Education explanation.
- House Bill 1477 (charter teacher eligibility for Teacher of the Year): Amends code so teachers at charter schools may participate in the state Teacher of the Year award process; committee approved the bill.

Brief context and implementation notes: The licensure-pathways bill (HB 1496) drew questions about how provisional or alternative pathways will be handled; Department of Education officials said educators would be placed on individual pathways toward a standard professional license, reducing reliance on district waivers. The university system cleanup (SB 417) removes language tied to prior funding formulas or organizational structures.

Votes at a glance (committee-level outcomes recorded in the hearing transcript): the short administrative bills listed above were approved by the committee (voice votes or unanimous consent as recorded). The committee recorded individual roll-call votes only for higher‑profile items; the transcript shows a roll call only on House Bill 1370, which failed.

The committee signaled that more complex or contested proposals will return for additional drafting or amendment. Reporters and district administrators should watch forthcoming bill language and ADE rule guidance for implementation details.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education Mar 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After the HB 1370 hearing and the SB 352 discussion, the committee approved several technical and administrative education bills with limited debate, including a university system cleanup, a licensure-pathways bill, and expansion of Teacher of the Year eligibility to charter teachers.","taxTitle","EDUCATION COMMITTEE- HOUSE, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Arkansas","taxId",20617,"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},6283248,"Senate committee hears bill to require K–12 anti‑Semitism handling in school policies; lawmakers debate scope",512,3552000,4064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1&start=3552&end=4064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1/thumbnail_3552000.jpg","/articles/6283248/Arkansas/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-require-K12-antiSemitism-handling-in-school-policies-lawmakers-debate-scope","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283248-4eb3a5af7bcf91b51245e0be9fa42ac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775504233&Signature=WuHFgKuhgiI6V9nZZ7LqYf3gU-Krd~CI29aLMgZKp7Ocg1b4SWmwVrDpl3NYJ--EG~wOIN1DwFAlSiytRONSofiK-~FtD4OflbjTKst6tkT2JPR1DcGysuIm5PSqgQmAuhbl9gndRCXn0N8OkGY927igwNNpCeKW1jwpUVC7KPUE5DcocHc~WFHIHgwqHbB1QRfN~5UgGhSXhAXP-vqdElEvZUQ7jJmgkPfLZT9O-FhF~ZYp2AcVgWGlCYz6-7vb9m5IC-D8eos2CV~Sx2ed0C1NvkTE~Dyo~HAl8d0ry-tqlBXeY9B~zqbTTi8smv8lf-2~7c4H2pC4zDUuInxzXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Matt Stone presented Senate Bill 352 to the Senate Education Committee, proposing that K–12 school policies treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination the same way they treat other forms of discrimination prohibited by state or federal law.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill clarifies how schools must address antisemitism within existing nondiscrimination frameworks. Supporters argued that a specific statement and definition will help schools identify and respond to antisemitic conduct. Critics warned the bill’s adopted definition could sweep in constitutionally protected speech or be redundant with existing law.

The sponsor told the committee the amended language makes school campus treatment of antisemitism consistent with other forms of prohibited discrimination. \"This is just to bring parity,\" he said, arguing the bill is inclusive. The hearing drew testimony from national advocates: Gabriel Grossman said he supported codifying an antisemitism definition in school policy and noted Arkansas already adopted a statutory definition codified at Arkansas Code 16-1-23-50; he said rising national antisemitic incidents justified specific legislative attention.

Opponents included Josh Silverstein, who testified in his individual capacity as a law professor and said the bill’s definition is \"too broad and sweeps in protected constitutional speech and activity.\" Silverstein urged caution about applying the definition to campus speech. Robert Steinbach, another law professor testifying for the bill, said the measure aligns K–12 policy with actions taken at the federal level and addresses discrimination without creating preferences.

Committee members debated whether the bill singles out a particular group. Senator Reginald Murdock raised concerns about the specificity of listing a single group in statute; supporters responded that the bill’s text also requires schools to treat antisemitic conduct \"in the same manner as any other form of discrimination prohibited by state or federal law.\" Several senators asked whether the statute duplicated existing law; witnesses noted Arkansas already has statute text addressing antisemitism and that this bill applies that standard directly to school policies and campus procedures.

No final committee vote on Senate Bill 352 is recorded in the transcript; the bill was discussed at length and proponents and opponents were heard. The committee took testimony from experts and community advocates and left the matter open for further consideration.

","Senate Bill 352 would require Arkansas schools to treat antisemitic harassment and discrimination consistent with other protected classes; witnesses debated whether a targeted definition is redundant, overly broad for campus speech, or a needed, specific response to rising antisemitic incidents.",{"_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},6283252,"Senate committee rejects bill to restore broader remote \"AMI\" makeup days for Arkansas schools",3482,38000,3520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1&start=38&end=3520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2589229-739eb9389e2dd386ce6716c7a219e8b1/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6283252/Arkansas/Senate-committee-rejects-bill-to-restore-broader-remote-AMI-makeup-days-for-Arkansas-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6283252-eb56b0ae4d02ac05085130c4df63b92e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775504233&Signature=nuhkk07ZB6xxbNvPiuDbWpCJwz6ojVavx6MtUH2HmMUEMhBEGlL9pXDrEEVujVGsqfYmswmbnPhvwlGLrLMCLUyklNV7ZRzlcziAhARNU47MuFWm49sisEB9G-V1GY~CTcjjElFxWnQSefX1gzechZ1zoo4TkRfW1pKzmZsIPknOpCed9C8CLM~UK5syBxbHwzOPYLXg7INNtv3eEDEYdLOnsT2uWqLzS~WUuiv3wKUKYfa2LWnnT0LqitfXkDsNASpKcUz96L3pziSco5hGDCam4gJQL7dYWoifbajJqLuU-SOVzk4JdUuhugD2rJf6C06MEeLog7CkTITMy~C3bQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","State Representative Julie Mayberry, sponsor of House Bill 1370, urged the Senate Education Committee to restore limited remote ‘‘alternative methods of instruction’’ (AMI) for school districts after years of changes to state law.

The measure would require school districts to offer in-person make-up for the first seven missed attendance days, and allow up to three additional days (days 8–10) to be completed using AMI if local districts choose. The bill also adds language explicitly listing ‘‘any other unforeseen circumstance caused or created by humans, including without limitation an active shooter event or a threat of an active shooter event’’ as an allowable reason to close school.

Why it matters: The dispute reflected two recurring tensions in Arkansas education policy — how to preserve instructional quality after pandemic-era learning loss, and how to maintain local flexibility for districts with differing technology access. Supporters said limited AMI days keep students on schedule for national exams and reduce learning loss; opponents said earlier AMI rules were abused and uneven across districts.

Mayberry told the committee that districts should be allowed to use AMI only where it is effective and that the bill returns discretion to local boards: \"If Internet is very spotty or if that school district feels like it's just not the effective way to keep students in their learning, then they don't have to use it,\" she said. Former state representative and educator Charlotte Vining Douglas described AMI as a tool that allows teachers to design real‑time makeup work and said AMI \"is also a safety concern for students and parents and teachers.\" Deputy Commissioner Stacy Smith, Arkansas Department of Education, said school districts may apply to the State Board of Education for additional relief after the tenth missed day.

Opponents, led in questioning by Senator Brianne Davis, said a prior statutory framework allowed up to 10 AMI days and that the LEARNS legislation changed that in 2023 in response to uneven implementation and apparent misuse — including districts using AMI-related approvals for non-emergency events. Davis said the lack of consistent standards and accountability produced widely different student experiences: \"Some students have access to Internet; some don't. There was no consistency, no streamlining, across the state or across specific school districts.\" Senator Reginald Murdock and others pressed the sponsor for stronger, enforceable safeguards to prevent the kind of abuses opponents described.

A Sheridan High School senior testified in favor of restoring AMI options, describing how prepackaged materials and district plans ensured equitable access in her district and saying AMI days helped advanced students stay on track for AP exams.

Committee discussion also focused on implementation details already in state rules: Mayberry and witnesses said school districts must submit AMI plans to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) for approval; ADE review would be the primary safeguard against misuse. The bill's sponsor offered to revise language to clarify that the commissioner referenced in the bill is the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education.

After committee debate, a motion to advance the bill was seconded and put to a roll-call vote. The committee recorded ayes from Senator Jim Dodson, Senator Reginald Murdock, Senator Bridal King and Senator Stephanie Flowers and noes from Senator Joshua Bryant, Senator Brianne Davis and Senator Dan Sullivan. The chair announced: \"Bill fails.\" The sponsor said she may bring the measure back once.

The hearing highlighted persistent implementation questions: which students and grades best use AMI, how to ensure equity where internet access is uneven, and how ADE review and state board approval would be used to prevent non-emergency uses of AMI.

The committee did not advance an amended version; Representative Mayberry said she would seek member feedback and revise the bill for a potential future filing.

","The Senate Education Committee heard hours of testimony on House Bill 1370, which would have allowed up to three alternative-method-of-instruction (AMI) days after seven required in-person makeup days; the committee voted the bill down after extended debate about access, abuse and oversight.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Education Committee advances multiple noncontroversial education bills; committee hears SB 352 separately

Senate committee hears bill to require K–12 anti‑Semitism handling in school policies; lawmakers debate scope

Senate committee rejects bill to restore broader remote "AMI" makeup days for Arkansas schools