(a) The purpose of this chapter is to serve as a legislative charter under the authority granted by Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 52, for the establishment, organization, and administration of a system of educational institutions throughout the state offering courses of instruction in:
(1) Technical programs;
(2) Vocational programs;
(3) Adult education programs;
(4) Industry training; and
(5) Two-year college transfer programs.
(b) The system established under this chapter shall provide educational programs which are:
(1) Easily accessible by all segments of the population so that they may benefit from training, retraining, or upgraded training for employment; and
(2) Highly responsive to individuals needing to achieve basic, general, and specialized education to meet the needs of the workplace.
(c) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall serve as the coordinating body of the system in order to assure the orderly and effective development of the publicly supported institutions within the system.