On Thursday the Arkansas Senate passed Gov. Sanders’ omnibus education bill. The 144-page Arkansas LEARNS Act addresses multiple issues related to education — including public school teacher employment and salaries, critical race theory, sexual material being taught in public school classrooms, and others.
The LEARNS Act also implements a school choice program between 2023 and 2025 that would let students obtain a publicly funded education at private schools or at home.
The bill previously passed in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, following some five hours of testimony and discussion.
Here are three important points to be aware of regarding the LEARNS Act:
First, the bill is moving through the legislature very quickly. Most members of the Arkansas General Assembly are sponsoring or co-sponsoring the bill. There is talk about amending the bill slightly in the Arkansas House, but we fully expect the bill to pass.
Second, when it comes to school choice, the LEARNS Act could provide students in Arkansas with unprecedented access to education. Families would have the option of using state dollars to educate their children at a public or private school or at home.
Third, the LEARNS Act provides the framework for a voluntary school choice program.
It’s going to be up to the State Board of Education and the Arkansas Department of Education to decide how that framework will operate.
The LEARNS Act outlines the school choice program, and it tasks the Department of Education with putting the program into practice.
So while the LEARNS Act is important, the actual debate over school choice in Arkansas will take place at the State Board of Education over the next 18-24 months. The State Board of Education will propose the rules for the school choice program, and lawmakers and the public will then be able to have a say about what the State Board of Education proposes.
To be clear, this law would not change the status of home schoolers or private school students who do not apply for public funds.
As we have said before, we want to work with our friends to help Arkansas families have choices in education without regulating nonpublic school students. We are committed to doing exactly that throughout this legislative process and the rulemaking process that will follow at the State Board of Education.
