Policy Guidance:
Everything that is new in the policies is underlined in red. The portions that are to be removed from the policies
are struck through and are in blue (to make the deletions easier to find).
4.35F3 is a new medical permission form to be used with the addition of Glucagon to policy 4.35.
Policies Changed:
4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS - language was added regarding non-immunized students that
mirrors the new language added to policy 4.34.
4.5—SCHOOL CHOICE – the ADE Rules governing “opportunity choice” have been finalized triggering
several changes to that section of the policy.
4.6—HOME SCHOOLING – “unexcused” was deleted in #3 of the first numerical entries in the policy.
4.7—ABSENCES – a sentence was added relating to the policy’s applicability for students with and IEP or
504 Plan. In an effort to help districts further personalize the policy, the footnotes were expanded based on our
conversations with our “field editors.”
4.8—MAKE-UP WORK – “excused” was deleted in the first sentence along with a footnote giving several
other options for amending the sentence. An additional listing for the policy’s rules was added applying to IEP
and 504 Plan students.
4.10—CLOSED CAMPUS – The policy was amended to make it clearer.
4.13—PRIVACY OF STUDENTS’ RECORDS/ DIRECTORY INFORMATION - The US DOE has
released new Rules governing FERPA and Directory Information. The policy was amended with several
changes to reflect the DOE's revisions.
4.17—STUDENT DISCIPLINE – the final paragraph has been amended to better align with the applicable
statute.
4.18—PROHIBITED CONDUCT – Item #7 was amended to align with the changes made to policy 4.47.
A.C.A. 6-18-502(b)(3)(D) deals strictly with paging devices, beepers, and electronic communication devices.
The Attorney General has opined (95-368) that cell phones are NOT “electronic communication devices.” A
new "prohibited behavior" was also added to address the issue of student misuse of otherwise permitted needles
or lancets.
4.24—DRUGS AND ALCOHOL – in an effort to give districts broader intervention powers, language was
added relating to students who buy or attempt to buy drugs and the definition of prohibited substances was also
expanded.
4.29—COMPUTER USE POLICY – due to changes in the federal rules, language was added relating to the
definition of “harmful to minors.” Districts must choose a definition for the term (merely adopting the federal
language included in the update is an allowable option).
4.29F—STUDENT INTERNET USE AGREEMENT – Language was added applying the Use Agreement
to district or student owned technology devices. This aligns with the changes made to policy 4.47.
4.30—SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL – to align with policy 4.7, language was amended concerning
absences relating to the treatment of in-school and out-of-school suspensions.
4.33—STUDENTS’ VEHICLES - A sentence was added to the first paragraph clarifying that student parking
on campus is a privilege and thus can be revoked. Also, the second and third paragraphs were tweaked to clarify
their meanings.
4.34—COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PARASITES - 4This policy was almost totally redone.
Changes were made based on input we have received from ASBA's insurance department, the Center for
Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of School Nurses.
4.35—STUDENT MEDICATIONS – the policy was substantially updated to better align with
recommendations from the National Association of School Nurses. It was also amended to address Act 1204 of
2011 which provides for the administration of Glucagon to students with Type I diabetes.
4.35F3—GLUCAGON ADMINISTRATION AND CARRY CONSENT FORM – This is a new form
that aligns with the addition to policy 4.35.
4.39—CORPORAL PUNISHMENT – “certified” was changed to “licensed” and the language in the final
paragraph was tweaked.
4.40—HOMELESS STUDENTS - The first sentence of the third paragraph was amended.
4.42—STUDENT HANDBOOK –Two new paragraphs and an advisory footnote were added to address
concerns raised by the ADE Standards Assurance Unit.
4.45—SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
CLASSES OF 2010-11, 2011-12, AND 2012-13 – Footnote #7 was updated. This does not change the policy
and does not have to go through the Board.
4.45.1—SMART CORE CURRICULUM AND GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
CLASS OF 2013-14 AND ALL CLASSES THEREAFTER – Footnote #7 was updated to align with the
same footnote in policy 4.45. This does not change the policy and does not have to go through the Board.
4.47— POSSESSION AND USE OF CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, ETC AND OTHER ELECTRONIC
DEVICES – believing that rules, laws, and policies that are unenforceable are counterproductive and that much
time and energy is spent on the losing battle of trying to control the possession of cell phones, the conversation
needs to shift to electronic responsibility being the same as for verbal or other forms of communication or
cheating. The policy was amended to reflect current reality for electronic communication devices. A footnote
was also added to help districts in their approach to promoting the use technology devices in classroom
instruction. Equity is an issue that needs to be strongly considered as district move forward on this issue. A
second footnote was also added to help districts better understand their power (or lack thereof) to search
confiscated electronic devices.