EDITOR'S NOTE: While this list is extensive, it is not complete and will continue to be updated. Know of any legislation that's not on this list? Let us know here.
February
- Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a measure into law that would raise teacher salaries by $4,000 over the next four years. House Bill 1145 will take effect in July and will mandate that a first-year teacher make at least $32,800 next year and $36,000 by 2023.
- State Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, proposed a bill that would reduce that amount of school lunch funding a district gets if its reading readiness level falls below a certain amount.
- House Bill 1049 would mandate that at least 40 minutes of instructional time each day be used for recess for K-5 students.
January
- Several bills filed in the state legislature address school safety in Arkansas’ classrooms. An incident of abuse by a school employee spurred Rep. James Sorvillo, R-Little Rock, to sponsor a bill ahead of the 2019 state legislative session that began Jan. 14 that would place video cameras in special education classrooms. As one way to help students respond during incidents like school shootings, Rep. Julie Mayberry, R-Hensley, proposed a bill that would mandate public schools to train students in bleeding control. And Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, has proposed more anti-bullying measures in public schools.
- Arkansas will also debate teacher salaries, with one bill proposing that districts weigh out-of-state teaching experience in setting the salary of a newly hired educator. Another bill moves to reinstate a requirement for public high schools to offer a journalism courses.
- Expanded school voucher legislation almost passed last year, and is expected to be debated again during the 2019 session.
