Public school districts that opted to implement the Arkansas Ready for Learning Model were granted certain specified waivers to allow districts the flexibility needed to provide blended learning. The waiver of class size maximums for each grade and certain classes, as set forth in various rules, applies only on days, or portions of days, when technology-based approaches are the primary instructional delivery, for specific groups of students that are receiving their instruction primarily through technology-based approaches, or for staff providing instruction primarily through technology-based approaches, or if necessary to implement ADH requirements or guidelines.

The requirements of Ark. Code Ann. § 6-17-812(a)(1), (a)(3), and (b), to compensate teachers who agree to teach more than the maximum “teaching load” of 150 students, were not waived.

Because the Standards for Accreditation tool is not programmed to differentiate between students that are receiving instruction virtually or on-site, virtual courses that exceed class size limits are causing exceptions in the system.  In order to clear virtual class size exceptions, districts will need to upload the Utilization of COVID-19 Ready for Learning Class Size Waiver for Virtual Instruction form.  In the SFA system under document management, there is a new tab named Class Size Waiver.  The form can be found on this tab and must be printed, signed by the superintendent and uploaded.  The process to clear the class size exceptions is the same as uploading the Statement of Assurance.  Once the form is uploaded, the class size exceptions in SFA will be resolved.

If assistance is needed, please contact the Standards Specialist assigned to your co-op.