Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

4-1-2005

Keywords

Curriculum; Concurrent enrollment

Series Title

Office for Education Policy

Series Number

Volume 02, Issue 15

Abstract

The Lake View decision required that Arkansas schools provide a “substantially equal” curriculum to all students. The package of reforms adopted by the Arkansas General Assembly in 2003 included a measure that required high schools to offer College Board Advanced Placement (AP) courses and/or concurrent enrollment in college level courses (Act 102, §6-16- 1201-1206). Specifically, beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, all school districts are required to offer one AP course in each of the four core areas of math, English, science, and social studies for a total of four courses. In districts that do not already offer these courses, they may be phased in over a period of four years. Also, districts are required to offer pre-AP courses designed to prepare students for the demands of advanced placement coursework. In addition to AP courses, districts may encourage students to enroll in appropriate college level courses concurrently with high school courses. In such cases, districts will facilitate concurrent enrollment credit in consultation with a state-appointed Concurrent Enrollment Course Approval Panel. Currently, Arkansas legislators are considering amending this measure, replacing the AP requirement with opportunities for concurrent enrollment. This fact sheet explains both concurrent enrollment and AP programs and the major advantages and disadvantages associated with each program.

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