(a)

(1) In order to prepare students for the rigor inherent in Advanced Placement courses, school districts shall offer pre-Advanced Placement courses to prepare students for the demands of Advanced Placement coursework.

(2) The Department of Education shall approve all classes designated as pre-Advanced Placement courses.

(b) An endorsed concurrent enrollment course must meet the following requirements:

(1) The course must be a course offered by an institution of higher education in this state that is:

(A) Approved through the institution of higher education's normal process; and

(B) Listed in the institution of higher education's catalog;

(2) The course content and instruction must meet the same standards and adopt the same learning outcomes as those developed for a course taught on the campus of the institution of higher education, including without limitation:

(A) The administration of any departmental exams applicable to the course; and

(B) The use of substantially the same book and syllabus as is used at the college level;

(3) The course must be taught by an instructor with the qualifications required under § 6-16-1203(b);

(4) The institution of higher education offering the course must:

(A) Provide to the course instructor staff development, supervision, and evaluation; and

(B) (i) Provide the students enrolled in the course with:

(a) Academic guidance counseling; and

(b) The opportunity to utilize the on-campus library or other academic resources of the institution of higher education.

(ii) Nothing in this subdivision (b)(4) shall preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to meet the requirements of this subdivision (b)(4);

(5) To be eligible to enroll in an endorsed concurrent enrollment course, the student must:

(A) Be admitted by the institution of higher education as a non-degree or non-certificate seeking student; and

(B) Meet all of the prerequisites for the course in which he or she is enrolled; and

(6) (A) Credit for the endorsed concurrent enrollment course may only be awarded by the institution of higher education offering the course. (B) Nothing in this subdivision (b)(6) shall preclude institutions of higher education from collaborating to provide the course and award course credit.

(c) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, all school districts shall offer one (1) College Board Advanced Placement course in each of the four (4) core areas of math, English, science, and social studies for a total of four (4) courses.

(d)

(1) The requirement under subsection (c) of this section shall be phased in over a period of four (4) years beginning with the 2005-2006 school year.

(2) Beginning with the 2008-2009 school year, all high schools in Arkansas shall offer a minimum of four (4) Advanced Placement courses by adding at least one (1) core course each year to the list of courses available to high school students.

(e) (1) (A) A state-supported two-year or four-year institution of higher education may offer a reduced tuition rate for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses offered by the institution of higher education to high school students under this subchapter.

(B) The reduction in tuition under subdivision (e)(1)(A) of this section or any tuition paid by the institution of higher education under subdivision (e)(3)(B) of this section shall not be considered an institutional scholarship.

(2) The number of students enrolled and the semester credit hours for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses shall be included in the calculation of full-time-equivalent enrollment for the institution of higher education.

(3) (A) A national school lunch student, as defined in § 6-20-2303, shall not be required to pay any of the costs up to a maximum of six (6) credit hours of endorsed concurrent enrollment courses that are taught:

(i) On the grounds of the public school district in which the student is enrolled; and

(ii) By a teacher employed by the public school district in which the student is enrolled.

(B) The costs for endorsed concurrent enrollment courses under subdivision (e)(3)(A) of this section shall be paid:

(i) By the public school district in which the student is enrolled;

(ii) By the institution of higher education offering the course; or

(iii) Through a cost-sharing agreement between the public school district and the institution of higher education.