2016 Arkansas Code
Title 6 - Education
Subtitle 2 - Elementary and Secondary Education Generally
Chapter 18 - Students
Subchapter 1 - -- General Provisions
§ 6-18-106. Classroom assignment of multiple birth siblings

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Multiple birth sibling" means a twin, triplet, quadruplet, or other sibling resulting from a multiple birth; and

(2) "Parent" means the parent, legal guardian, or other person having custody or charge of a student enrolled in a public school.

(b) Not later than the fourteenth day before the first day of school, a parent of multiple birth siblings who are assigned to the same grade level and school, in prekindergarten through grade six (PreK-6), may request in writing that the school place the siblings in the same classroom or in separate classrooms.

(c) Except as provided by subsection (e) or (g) of this section, a school shall provide the multiple birth siblings with the classroom placement requested by the parent.

(d) In the event that one (1) parent's election under subsection (c) of this section differs from another parent's election under subsection (c) of this section, the school shall determine the appropriate placement of the multiple birth siblings.

(e) The school may direct a classroom placement for the multiple birth siblings that differs from the parent's request if:

(1) Thirty (30) instructional days have lapsed since the date the multiple birth siblings began the classroom placement made at the parent's request; and

(2) After consulting with the teacher of each classroom in which the multiple birth siblings are placed, the school determines that the classroom placement requested by the parent is:

(A) Detrimental to the educational achievement of one (1) or more of the multiple birth siblings;

(B) Disruptive to the classroom learning environment where the multiple birth sibling is assigned; or

(C) Disruptive to the school's educational or disciplinary environment.

(f) A parent may appeal the school's classroom placement of multiple birth siblings in the manner provided by school district policy.

(g) A school district is not required to place multiple birth siblings in separate classrooms if the request would require the school district to add an additional class to the grade level of the multiple birth siblings.

(h) A school district shall adopt a written policy concerning the procedures for classroom placements of multiple birth siblings that is consistent with this section.

(i) This section does not affect a right or obligation of the school or school district regarding student placement decisions of the school district under:

(1) The Children With Disabilities Act of 1973, § 6-41-201 et seq.;

(2) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., as it exists on July 27, 2011; or

(3) Written school district disciplinary policies.