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Senate committee temporarily suspends A–F school ratings for 2021 amid COVID disruptions
Summary
House Bill 1151 passed after Representative Evans argued the statewide A–F rating should be suspended for the 2021 school year because COVID-19 disrupted assessments and instruction; sponsor emphasized the change would not affect the Arkansas School Recognition Program.
The Senate Education Committee voted to advance House Bill 1151, which would suspend the statewide A–F public‑school rating system for the 2021 school year.
Sponsor Representative Evans said the disruption caused by the coronavirus has made statewide assessments infeasible and would unfairly subject schools and teachers to A–F labeling during an ongoing public‑health emergency. He described widespread staff absences in his district, reporting ‘‘we have a 66 faculty members that are out due to the pandemic virus’’ and said some teachers have missed as many as 40 days of instruction. He argued the rating system's temporary pause would give ‘‘a little bit of mental relief to our teachers and faculty members who are going above and beyond.’’
Representative Evans emphasized the bill does not alter the Arkansas School Recognition Program, which provides financial awards for high performing schools. The Department of Higher Education and other agencies, the sponsor said, remain committed to statewide assessments when feasible.
No public testimony was recorded and members offered no sustained opposition; the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The transcript records the motion, second and the chair saying, 'Ayes have it.' Specific roll‑call tallies were not recorded.
