5.01 No later than May 1 of each year, any of the listed entities may submit to the Division an application for authorization to operate a postsecondary preparatory program in Arkansas:
5.01.1 One or more school districts;
5.01.2 One or more institutions of higher education; or
5.01.3 A partnership of one or more school districts and one or more institutions of higher education.
5.02 An application for authorization shall include:
5.02.1 A list of the participating school district(s) or institution(s) of higher education;
5.02.2 The number and location of sites at which postsecondary preparatory programs will be offered;
5.02.3 A program description, including identification of the curriculum, content guides, and instructional materials to be utilized;
5.02.4 Staffing and instructor qualifications;
5.02.5 Program schedules;
5.02.6 Guidelines for admission to the postsecondary program, including program eligibility requirements and selection criteria;
5.02.6.1 Admission guidelines should address whether and how the program will admit students in grade twelve (12) under Section 6.03 of these rules;
5.02.7 Disciplinary policies which will govern participants; and
5.02.8 Attendance requirements for participants.
5.03 The Division may approve an application for authorization after:
5.03.1 Determining that the application meets the criteria established by these rules and Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-601 et seq.;
5.03.2 Reviewing evidence of the postsecondary preparatory program's past performance and success, as reported under Section 9.00;
5.03.3 Reviewing the postsecondary preparatory program's past compliance with these rules with Ark. Code Ann. § 6-16-601 et seq., and with other relevant state or federal law; and
5.03.4 Giving priority for approval to postsecondary preparatory programs operated by partnerships between one or more school districts and one or more institutions of higher education.
5.04 Authorization of an approved postsecondary preparatory program may be for a term defined by the Division of no more than one (1) year.
5.05 A postsecondary preparatory program shall not receive authorization under these rules unless the postsecondary preparatory program files an annual application with the Division and the application is approved.
5.06 Content guides utilized by a postsecondary preparatory program must be approved by the Division and must:
5.06.1 Include the curricular goals in each content area; and
5.06.2 State clearly how the program goals will be met.
5.06.3 Postsecondary preparatory programs may utilize content guides developed by outside parties with the Division's approval.
