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Only for worst performing schools
If a school fails to improve its overall test scores within a designated period of time, the students should have the option to attend a nearby “adequately performing” public school.
Only for other public schools
Students should be allowed to attend any public school of their choice at the state’s expense. Students should not be confined to schools within their current school district. Because schools within the same district regularly provide a similar quality of education, parents should not be limited in their options, but instead should be able to select any public school for their children. In contrast to voucher programs, this choice program does not include private schools.
State money follows the student
Once the student chooses to attend a better performing school, the state will transfer the money allocated for that public school student from the failing school to the adequately performing public school.
Departed district pays transportation costs
Once the student chooses to attend an adequately performing school, the school district with the failing mark will be required to pay the transportation costs involved.
State pays for temporary classrooms
If the adequately performing school does not have enough classroom space to accommodate the incoming students, the state is required to pay for any temporary classroom space. A desk in a temporary classroom in an adequately performing school is better than a desk in a state-of-the-art facility in a failing school.
Source: Arkansas Department of Education
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