(a) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board is hereby directed to work with Arkansas public institutions of higher education, and those private institutions of higher education that wish to participate, to annually provide updated or additional information for the information packages provided to seventh-grade students and their parents or guardians on the options of postsecondary education available in Arkansas, the courses required to attend colleges and universities, and the financial requirements and assistance available for students pursuing additional education after high school.

(b)

(1) Sessions to discuss postsecondary options shall be held during the spring semester at a reasonable time at each of the state's public schools housing a seventh-grade class.

(2) The sessions should be scheduled at a time convenient to the school and the cooperating institutions of higher education.

(3) The students in the seventh grade, the school counselors, and the students' parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis shall meet together in conference for the purpose of defining the students' educational objectives for the future and developing a course of study for grades eight through twelve (8-12).

(c) At the request of the parents, guardians, or persons in loco parentis, the school will schedule an individual conference to evaluate the student's past academic performance, to define the student's educational objectives for the future, and to develop a course of study for the student in grades eight through twelve (8-12).

(d) (1) The board, working in conjunction with state-supported institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education that wish to participate, the Department of Education, and the Department of Career Education annually shall compile information for Arkansas high school students on:

(A) Academic scholarships for freshmen entering institutions of higher education in the state; and

(B) State-funded programs that provide opportunities for developing technical job skills and apprenticeships.

(2)

(A) The Department of Education shall provide the information annually to all public high school counselors in the state.

(B) Each public high school counselor annually shall provide the information received from the Department of Education to students in the public high school where he or she is employed.