February 13, 2004

LITTLE ROCK - After the completion of the special session of the legislature, public school reform in Arkansas now returns to the judicial system.

The state Supreme Court has appointed two special masters to determine whether the state has complied with its order in the Lake View school funding case. That order, handed down in November of 2002, said that school funding in Arkansas was inadequate and unequally distributed.

The masters have until April 3 to report their findings to the Supreme Court. They will examine 10 areas to evaluate the progress made by the state.

The state attorney general, who represents the state in lawsuits, presented a list of legislative accomplishment to the court. They include acts approved during the special session, as well as education reform bills enacted during the regular session of 2003. They also includes rules and regulations adopted by the state Board of Education, as well as findings and recommendations of study panels such as the Blue Ribbon Commission on Public Education.

After completing the special session, the legislature recessed until March 4. Lawyers and staff are reviewing bills for typographical errors and oversights, and if they discover any the legislature will correct them on March 4.

The special masters are Bradley Jesson and David Newbern, both former justices of the state Supreme Court. Jesson was a chief justice.

In arguing that the legislature has complied with court orders to improve education, the attorney general will cite the new school funding formula and new laws to make students, teachers and schools more accountable.

Also, the state expanded pre-kindergarten programs for children from low-income families. The legislature enacted laws to make long distance learning available to all students. A program was created to recruit and train master principals for problem schools.

The legislature raised teacher salaries and enhanced the recruitment and training of teachers, especially in areas distressed by poverty. Advanced placement classes must be available in four core areas in high schools.

The state Education Department will clarify the curricula that schools must offer. Students will take a series of Benchmark exams to make sure they have mastered the curriculum for their grade level, and if they fall behind their schools must immediately place them in intense remedial classes.

Parents will have more choices if they want to transfer their children from a failing school to a better one.

School districts must report the results of financial audits in a timely manner. Act 61 of the special session establishes uniform accounting and financial practices for all school districts to adhere to.

School districts will have to report administrative expenses, how much they spend on instruction and on extracurricular activities, capital expenses and debt service costs.