- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states
This page features information about K-12 areas of instruction required by state statute in Arkansas public schools.
Background
- See also: K-12 education content standards in the states and K-12 curriculum authority, requirements, and statutes in the states
State education officials may develop content standards and curricula, depending on the state, in order to facilitate instruction in public schools. In some states, lawmakers also adopt required areas of instruction by statute.
K-12 content standards and curriculum development
State or local education officials may develop K-12 curricula for classroom instruction that generally includes lessons and materials used in a particular course of study.[1] Depending on the state, K-12 curricula may reflect or incorporate state content standards—educational learning and achievement goals that state education officials either require or recommend that local schools satisfy in K-12 instruction.
Areas of instruction required by statute
Some state laws require the inclusion of specific areas of instruction in K-12 public school curricula. In these cases, lawmakers—rather than state education officials—mandate certain education requirements for students. Laws governing specific areas of instruction in K-12 curricula vary by state.
Statutorily required areas of instruction in Arkansas
The following table provides information about selected areas of instruction required by statute in Arkansas as of 2020. The statutes provided may not be comprehensive. The statutory text is provided below the table.
Arkansas Code § 6-16-111 (2020):
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Morals, manners, patriotism, and business and professional integrity
Curricula in morals, manners, patriotism, and business and professional integrity shall be included in the course of study for the state public schools.[2]
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Arkansas Code § 6-16-121 (2020):
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African-American history — Teaching materials
(1) The Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education shall update the materials and resources for the teaching of historical contributions made by African-Americans in the United States and in other countries before the establishment of the United States for inclusion in the appropriate curricula of all kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) of all public schools in the State of Arkansas.[2]
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Arkansas Code § 6-16-122 (2020):
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American heritage
(d) To ensure public high school students understand the United States' representative form of limited government, the liberties secured in the Bill of Rights, federalism, and other basic principles that are essential to the stability and endurance of our constitutional republic, a public school district may:
- (1) Require that public high school students demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nation's founding and documents relevant to the nation's founding in order to receive a certificate or diploma of graduation from the public high school;
- (2) Include among the requirements for graduation from a public high school in the public school district a passing grade in a course that includes without limitation primary instruction regarding:
- (A) The Declaration of Independence;
- (B) The United States Constitution and its amendments; and
- (C) Representative readings from the Federalist Papers; and
- (3) Require that a public high school teach public high school students about the nation's founding and documents relevant to the nation's founding, including without limitation:
- (A) The Declaration of Independence;
- (B) The United States Constitution and its amendments; and
- (C) Representative readings from the Federalist Papers.[2]
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Arkansas Code § 6-16-124 (2020):
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Arkansas history — Required social studies course
(1) A unit of Arkansas history shall be taught as a social studies subject at each elementary grade level in every public elementary school in this state, with greater emphasis at the fourth and fifth grade levels.
(2) At least one (1) full semester of Arkansas history shall be taught to all students at the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade level in every public secondary school in this state.[2]
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Arkansas Code § 6-16-132 (2020):
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Physical education
(A) The physical education curriculum and physical activity requirements for every public school student who is able to participate are:
- (i) Except as provided in subdivision (b)(1)(A)(ii) of this section, for students in kindergarten through grade six (K-6):
- (a) At least forty (40) minutes, as determined by the superintendent of the school district, of physical education training and instruction each calendar week of the school year; and
- (b) Ninety (90) minutes of physical activity each calendar week of the school year, which may include without limitation daily recess, physical education instruction in addition to the requirement of subdivision (b)(1)(A)(i)(a) of this section, or intramural sports;
- (ii) For students in grades five through eight (5-8) who attend a public school organized to teach grades five through eight (5-8), or any combination thereof, at least forty (40) minutes, as determined by the superintendent of the school district, of physical education training and instruction each calendar week of the school year or an equivalent amount of time in each school year with no additional requirement for physical activity; and
- (iii) For students in grades nine through twelve (9-12), one-half (½) unit of physical education as required for high school graduation with no additional requirement for physical activity.[2]
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Arkansas Code § 6-16-130 (2020):
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Visual art or music
(a) (1) A public elementary school in the state shall provide instruction for at least forty (40) minutes, as determined by the superintendent of the school district, in visual art and at least forty (40) minutes, as determined by the superintendent of the school district, in music based on the state visual art and music frameworks each calendar week of the school year or an equivalent amount of time in each school year.
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(b) A student enrolled in grade seven (7) or grade eight (8) shall participate in:
- (1) Visual arts instruction, appreciation, and application; or
- (2) Performing arts instruction, appreciation, and application.[2]
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See also
External links
