Arkansas Senate Bill 167 Adjusts School Transfer Deadlines

Arkansas Senate Bill 167 was signed into law on Monday, bringing important changes to the state’s school transfer process under the Arkansas Opportunity Public School Choice Act and the Public School Choice Act of 2015.

The bill extends the application deadline for students wishing to transfer to a different public school or district from May 1 to June 1, giving families additional time to make decisions ahead of the upcoming school year. This updated timeline also applies to foster children seeking school transfers.

Under the new law, school districts are still required to notify families by July 1 whether transfer requests have been approved or denied. The bill also includes revisions to athletic eligibility rules, maintaining the requirement for a “Changing Schools/Athletic Participation” form for students entering grades 7 through 12.

Supporters of the bill say it improves access and flexibility for families navigating school choice options in Arkansas.