Equity Compliance Report
Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-10-111(d) requires each school district or charter school to annually report to the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Compliance Assistance Center regarding its compliance with civil rights responsibilities. Arkansas Code Annotated § 6-10-111(e) authorizes the withholding of state aid from any school district or charter school that fails to file its report of compliance by October 15 each year.
Standard 2-A, Equal Educational Opportunities, of the Standards for Accreditation of Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts requires that each public school district or charter school file an accurate and timely Equity Compliance Report as part of the cycle 2 submission.
Federal laws (Constitutionally Protected Prayer, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) have specific requirements of public schools as recipients of federal funds.
The annual Equity Compliance Report documents compliance with civil rights responsibilities, awareness of consequences of noncompliance with civil rights responsibilities, compliance with the Arkansas Standards for Accreditation, and provides feedback to the Arkansas DESE on needed guidance and technical assistance.
To be in compliance, the school district or charter school must annually complete and submit electronically the Equity Compliance Report under the cycle 2 report submission of data collected by the DESE Statewide Information System (SIS). School districts and charter schools should keep signed copies on file.
For more information, please contact:
Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Legal Services
Four Capitol Mall, Slot 25
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-4213
Email: Jeanie.Johnson@ade.arkansas.gov