Six districts file requests to add charter schools

ARKANSAS -- Six school districts have applied to the Arkansas Department of Education to operate conversion charter schools within their districts beginning in the 2016-17 school year.

The six districts are in Springdale, Fayetteville, Cave City, Hot Springs, Gentry and Gravette.

The proposed schools are:

• Cave City High School Career and Collegiate Preparatory School, for up to 1,200 students in grades nine through 12.

• Fayetteville Virtual Academy, for up to 500 students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

• Gentry High School Conversion Academy, for up to 500 students in grades nine through 12.

• Gravette High School Career Academy, for up to 500 students in grades nine through 12.

• Hot Springs World Class High School, for grades nine through 12.

• Springdale School of Innovation, for up to 2,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grades.

Conversion charter schools are run by traditional school districts, in contrast to open-enrollment charters that are operated by nonprofit organizations other than traditional school systems. Both kinds of charter schools require approval from the Arkansas Department of Education's Charter Authorizing Panel and, ultimately, the Arkansas Board of Education because they seek exemptions from some state rules and laws that govern school operations.

Several of the newly proposed conversion charter schools -- described in 100-plus-page applications sent to the Education Department last week -- will feature individualized student education plans and new or expanded partnerships with business and colleges that will enable students to earn industry certificates or concurrent college credit.

Some of the applications seek waivers of state teacher licensure requirements for those who will teach technical and vocational courses.

Other common features include enhanced access to technology for students, including online courses and blended learning, in which digital learning is paired with more traditional classroom instruction. In some cases, the conversion charter school applications call for a restructuring of the school day and requirements that students spend a minimum number of hours in a course to receive credit for it.

General News on 09/23/2015