vouchers

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva talk about the LEARNS Act and what it means for K-12 education in Arkansas at an invitation-only town hall in El Dorado on June 6, 2023. (Randall Lee/Courtesy of the Governor's Press Office)

Arkansas education department opens educational freedom account applications

BY: - June 27, 2023

The Arkansas Department of Education began accepting applications for a new school voucher program last week after the state Supreme Court lifted a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of the LEARNS Act. The department opened the application window with little fanfare and has declined to answer the Advocate’s questions about the program or the application […]

Smiling teacher teaches children about the solar system

Distance, finances will affect choices as Arkansas Educational Freedom Account rolls out

BY: - April 26, 2023

Arkansas’ new Children’s Educational Freedom Account program aims to expand education options for K-12 students, but questions remain about accessibility, especially for families in rural areas.  A provision of the LEARNS Act, the program will be phased in over three years and allow up to 90% of annual per-student public school funding for permissible education […]

Arkansas lawmakers conclude work following approval of tax cuts, education legislation

BY: and - April 7, 2023

From the state’s first female governor to an overhaul of the state’s education system, the 94th General Assembly brought unprecedented change to Arkansas. After three months of work, lawmakers adjourned Friday and plan to return on May 1 for the official end of the legislative session. “It started with a slow trot and ended with […]

Education Secretary Jacob Oliva

Applications now available for LEARNS Act workgroups

BY: - March 14, 2023

The Arkansas Department of Education issued a Commissioner’s Memo on Tuesday inviting Arkansans to participate in the implementation of the LEARNS Act. Through volunteer workgroups, participants will contribute to the development of rules and policies for the expansive education bill that Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law last week. The LEARNS Act takes unprecedented […]

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders

Arkansas governor signs wide-ranging education bill into law

BY: - March 8, 2023

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday signed expansive changes to Arkansas’ education system into law. The LEARNS Act takes unprecedented steps in hopes of restructuring the state’s K-12 schools, addressing teacher pay, school safety, career readiness, literacy, a new voucher program and “indoctrination,” among other topics.  The legislation was Sanders’ main priority since taking office […]

Sen. Clarke Tucker, Sen. Breanne Davis

Arkansas lawmakers send sweeping education bill to governor’s desk

BY: - March 7, 2023

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will sign her signature education package into law Wednesday, two weeks after the bill was filed.  The Arkansas Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, on Tuesday. “I’m ready to sign it into law tomorrow and end the failed status quo that has governed our […]

Arkansas state Sen. Breanne Davis (R-Russellville) answers questions from fellow senators Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, about the governor's education overhaul bill, also known as Arkansas LEARNS. Davis is lead sponsor of Senate Bill 294. The bill, filed late Monday and heard in committee on Wednesday, passed the Senate by a vote of 25-7, with one senator voting present and two not voting. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate 02/23/2023)

Arkansas governor’s education package returns to Senate for final legislative approval

BY: - March 6, 2023

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education bill will again be considered by the Arkansas Senate Tuesday, following committee approval Monday. Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, is expected to clear the Senate and become law this week. Sanders said in a statement that she’ll sign the bill into law as soon as the […]

Rep. DeAnn Vaught

Arkansas House approves governor’s education legislation, sends back to Senate

BY: - March 2, 2023

This story was updated at 6:05 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2023. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ broad education package is one step closer to becoming law following approval by the Arkansas House of Representatives Thursday.  After about an hour and a half of debate, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, by a […]

Rep. Keith Brooks

Arkansas House panel approves governor’s education package

BY: - March 1, 2023

This story was updated at 6:10 p.m. The Arkansas House of Representatives plans to consider Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education bill Thursday afternoon.  The House Education Committee advanced Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, Wednesday after about 45 minutes of discussion. Because the bill was amended, it will have to again be […]

Rep. Keith Brooks (R-Little Rock) Education Sec. Jacob Oliva

House education committee mulls education package after daylong meeting

BY: - February 28, 2023

House Education Committee members are taking the evening to consider everything they heard during about 10 hours of testimony Tuesday before voting on the governor’s education package Wednesday. Committee chairman Rep. Brian Evans (R-Cabot) said he was committed to allowing everyone to speak and asked lawmakers to listen with clear minds and open hearts.  Senate […]

Arkansas state Sen. Breanne Davis (R-Russellville) answers questions from fellow senators Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, about the governor's education overhaul bill, also known as Arkansas LEARNS. Davis is lead sponsor of Senate Bill 294. The bill, filed late Monday and heard in committee on Wednesday, passed the Senate by a vote of 25-7, with one senator voting present and two not voting. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate 02/23/2023)

Arkansas Senate advances governor’s sweeping education legislation to House

BY: - February 23, 2023

The Arkansas Senate on Thursday approved Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ wide-ranging education plan despite bipartisan requests to slow the legislative process. Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, stems from Sanders’ campaign promise to make major changes to the state’s education system. The legislation covers teacher pay, school safety, career readiness, literacy, “indoctrination,” school […]

Sen. Breanne Davis of Russellville, lead sponsor of Senate Bill 294, which would enact the governor’s education program, looks at Education Secretary Jacob Oliva, right, as he answers questions about the bill during a meeting of the Senate Education Committee Wednesday morning, Feb. 22, 2023, in Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas governor’s education package advances to Senate

BY: and - February 22, 2023

The Senate Education Committee after more than five hours of testimony Wednesday approved Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education plan over bipartisan calls for amendments. Dozens of teachers, students, parents and administrator groups testified at the occasionally tense hearing. Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, is the culmination of Sanders’ chief priority to […]