LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas House has passed a bill that would allow public schools access to the same waivers from some state regulations as open-enrollment charter schools receive.
The lawmakers voted 58-18 Friday for the bill and sent it to the state Senate. Democratic Rep. Reginald Murdock of Marianna says the change would help rural districts compete.
It would allow a public school to obtain the same waivers from state regulations granted by the state Board of Education to a charter school that impacts the public school’s enrollment.
Democratic Rep. John Walker of Little Rock argued that the change could negatively impact teacher pay and job security.
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