Arkansas Senate Passes Omnibus Education Bill

Legislation,
Above: The Senate Education Committee passed S.B. 294 on Wednesday afternoon, following some five hours of testimony. The Arkansas Senate overwhelmingly passed the measure on Thursday.

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.

READ MORE

LEARNS Act Could Provide Unprecedented Access to Education In Arkansas

Legislation, ,

Little Rock, Ark. — On Monday members of the Arkansas General Assembly filed S.B. 294, the LEARNS Act. The bill gradually implements a system of publicly funded accounts that Arkansas students can use to pay for things like tuition, curriculum, and other education expenses.

Family Council President Jerry Cox issued a statement, saying, “This voluntary school choice program could provide students in Arkansas with unprecedented access to education. Once the measure is fully implemented, Arkansas law would make it possible for students to receive a publicly-funded education at a public or private school or at home. Students who choose to attend a private school or who are educated at home under the current form of this bill would take a norm-referenced test or other assessment approved by the State Board of Education every year. The bill does not require students make a certain score on that test. I’m sure many families will appreciate that.”

Cox pointed out that S.B. 294 is an omnibus education bill. “A lot of us have focused on the school choice element of the bill, but the measure deals with critical race theory, teacher salaries, protecting elementary school children from inappropriate sexual material at school, and a lot of other important issues. That’s something to keep in mind as well.”

Cox noted that the bill utilizes the State Board of Education to establish the school choice program. “Much of what the LEARNS Act does is provide a framework that the State Board of Education and the Department of Education will use as it sets up the program between 2023 and 2025. The framework in the bill is good, and if the bill passes, we will know more details about how the program will work once the state board begins announcing plans to implement it. Hearings on the bill are currently underway. We are monitoring those hearings to see if amendments are added to the proposed legislation. We all want to make sure students get the best education possible, and we look forward to working with policymakers so that the LEARNS Act will help as many students in Arkansas as possible.”

###

READ MORE

Family Council Supports Giving Parents, Children Options in Education

Education, Legislation, , ,

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Wednesday Family Council announced the pro-family organization supports passing a school choice measure in Arkansas this year.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “Our organization has always believed families deserve options when it comes to education. Home schooling is a great example of how giving families options can help their children flourish. Family Council has supported home schooling for more than 25 years, because it empowers parents to give their son or their daughter the education that’s right for them. Home schooling in Arkansas has been incredibly successful as a result. Governor Sanders and members of the General Assembly intend to pass good school choice legislation this year. We want to work with our friends to pass legislation that will help Arkansas families without regulating nonpublic school students.”

Cox said many Arkansans are bothered by changes they see in public education. “A lot of families feel like public education has deteriorated over the years, and they don’t like the direction it’s heading. For those families, school choice legislation could give them real alternatives that will help their children succeed. This is a critical issue for families, and our organization plans to address it.”

Family Council is a conservative education and research organization based in Little Rock with a mission of promoting, protecting, and strengthening traditional family values.

###

READ MORE