(a) There is created the Licensed Practical Nurse Pathway Pilot Program.(b) By the 2022-2023 school year, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Division of Higher Education, shall establish and implement the program by which a public school student enrolled in grades nine through twelve (9-12) in a public school or open-enrollment public charter school may enroll in undergraduate courses required to obtain a diploma or certificate of completion as a licensed practical nurse by the date on which the public school student graduates or within a reasonable frame of time after the public school student graduates.(c) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall work with the following entities without limitation to establish and implement the program as required under subsection (b) of this section:(1) The Department of Health;(2) The Division of Higher Education;(3) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing;(4) The Office of Skills Development; and(5) Any other individual or entity involved in the practice of nursing and nursing education programs.(d)(1) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall submit to the ; and(5) Any other individual or entity involved in the practice of nursing and nursing education programs.(d)(1) A public school district or open-enrollment public charter school shall submit to the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education:(A) An application to participate in the program; and(B) The name of the institution of higher education that has indicated its willingness to partner with the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school to implement the program in the public school district or open-enrollment public charter school.(2) A public school district may apply on behalf of a single public school within the public school district.(3) A public school or open-enrollment public charter school may partner with a secondary vocational center to implement the program under this section.(e) In selecting participants, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall: (1) Consider qualified applicants from various locations and of various sizes and demographics; and(2) Consult with entities listed under subsection (c) of this section.(f) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Division of Higher Education, d demographics; and(2) Consult with entities listed under subsection (c) of this section.(f) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in consultation with the Division of Higher Education, shall develop:(1) An application form, schedule, and procedure by which a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school may apply to participate in the program;(2) Criteria to use in selecting public school districts and open-enrollment public charter schools to participate in the program; and(3) A policy clarifying that an institution of higher education with which a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school is partnered shall exercise oversight and control of the academic aspects of the program, including without limitation faculty selection, curricula, and evaluation processes.Added by Act 2021, No. 757,§ 1, eff. 4/19/2021.
Arkansas Legal Code