AR
Arkansas House Bill HB1696

Arkansas 2025 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1696

Introduced
3/5/25  
Refer
3/5/25  
Report Pass
3/20/25  
Engrossed
4/1/25  
Refer
4/1/25  
Report Pass
4/2/25  
Enrolled
4/9/25  
Chaptered
4/14/25  

Caption

To Establish The Strengthening Arkansas Education Act; And To Provide A Core Curriculum At State-supported Institutions Of Higher Education.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1696 is expected to standardize the academic standards across all public colleges and universities in Arkansas. By establishing a core curriculum, the bill aims to ensure that graduates possess a well-rounded educational background, preparing them for informed citizenship and participation in a democratic society. The requirements outlined in the bill could lead to a more consistent educational experience and help to enhance the integrity of degrees offered by state institutions.

Summary

House Bill 1696, known as the 'Strengthening Arkansas Education Act', proposes significant changes to the requirements for baccalaureate degrees at state-supported institutions in Arkansas. The bill mandates that students must complete a core curriculum of at least thirty-five semester credit hours in specific subjects to qualify for graduation. This core curriculum includes essential courses in English composition, mathematics, laboratory sciences, humanities and social sciences, as well as U.S. history and government, intending to improve the overall educational quality across the state's higher education system.

Contention

However, the bill has sparked controversy among educators and academic institutions. Critics argue that overly standardized curricula could limit the flexibility of educational programs, potentially undermining the diversity of courses offered and the ability to cater to students' specific interests and career paths. Some educators believe that the focus on a specific set of subjects undermines the value of specialized education and could restrict academic freedom, fueling a debate about how best to balance educational standards with institutional autonomy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR SB491

To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning Employees Of Institutions Of Higher Education; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB294

To Create The Learns Act; To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code As They Relate To Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve Education In The State Of Arkansas; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB125

Concerning Free Speech Rights At State-supported Institutions Of Higher Education.

AR HB1417

To Amend The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Program Concerning Approved Institutions Of Higher Education; And Concerning The Higher Education Grants Fund Account.

AR HB1743

To Create The Sustainable Building Maintenance Program For State-supported Institutions Of Higher Education.

AR SB365

To Create The Arkansas Student Due Process And Protection Act; And To Establish Procedural Protections For Student Conduct Disciplinary Proceedings At Public Two-year And Four-year Institutions Of Higher Education.

AR SB551

To Amend The Arkansas Code As It Pertains To References To The Director Of The Division Of Higher Education; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR HB1468

To Create The Given Name Act; And To Prohibit Requiring Employees Of Public Schools And State-supported Institutions Of Higher Education To Use A Person's Preferred Pronoun, Name, Or Title Without Parental Consent.

AR HR1067

To Urge Arkansas Institutions Of Higher Education To Relocate Chinese-language Programs From Mainland China To Taiwan.

AR HB1559

Concerning Implicit Bias Training Required By A Public School Or State-supported Institution Of Higher Education.

Similar Bills

TX HB4018

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TX SB1887

Relating to the requirements for the early college education program and the transfer of course credit among public institutions of higher education.

TX SB25

Relating to measures to facilitate the transfer, academic progress, and timely graduation of students in public higher education.

MO SB69

Modifies provisions of the Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act

MO SB1075

Modifies provisions of the Higher Education Core Curriculum Transfer Act

NJ A2618

Requires county colleges and four-year public institutions of higher education to award college credits to police officers for certain courses completed at county police academies.

TX SB2847

Relating to measures to accelerate the award of bachelor's degrees, including the establishment of the general education curriculum advisory committee, and to the number of semester credit hours required for the core curriculum for certain bachelor's degree programs at a public institution of higher education.

TX SB1923

Relating to measures to facilitate the transfer, academic progress, and timely graduation of students in public higher education.