Arkansas LEARNS Act: A Comprehensive Overview
The Arkansas LEARNS Act, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ landmark legislation, has initiated a wave of changes in the state's education system. Signed into law in 2023, the LEARNS Act encompasses various provisions, including school vouchers (referred to as Educational Freedom Accounts), increased teacher salaries, and enhanced literacy standards for elementary students. This article delves into the act's key components, implementation, and impact on students, teachers, and schools across Arkansas.
Pillars of the LEARNS Act
Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva characterizes the LEARNS Act as a comprehensive educational reform initiative built upon three distinct priorities:
- Supporting Early Learning: Ensuring students enter kindergarten ready to learn by creating a unified early childhood system.
- Expanding Choice Options and Pathways: Providing diverse educational opportunities for students in grades K-12.
- Promoting Post-Secondary Success: Equipping students with the skills necessary for success beyond high school, including ensuring third-graders are reading at or above grade level.
The act recognizes teachers as the most significant factor in improving student performance. Therefore, a central theme of the LEARNS Act is to recruit, recognize, retain, and support high-quality teachers in every classroom.
Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Support
Salary Increases
A key component of the LEARNS Act is raising the minimum starting teacher salary. Arkansas has moved from being ranked approximately 45th in the nation for starting teacher salaries to the top five, now boasting the No. 1 spot when adjusted for cost of living. The minimum starting salary is set at \$50,000, with teachers already earning above this amount receiving at least a \$2,000 increase.
Addressing Teacher Shortages
The increase in starting salary has already had a positive impact. School districts report a significant increase in the number of applicants for teaching positions. This has led to a larger pool of talent to choose from and has even attracted teachers from neighboring states.
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Alternative Licensure Pathways
The LEARNS Act also provides multiple pathways to teacher licensure, attracting career changers with real-world experience. Individuals with bachelor's degrees or higher can pursue alternative routes to becoming licensed teachers, addressing critical shortage areas and bringing diverse expertise into the classroom.
Professional Development and Growth
Beyond salary, the LEARNS Act invests in professional growth and development opportunities for teachers. This includes supporting literacy coaches to help teachers refine their skills and implement effective teaching strategies.
Maternity Leave Partnership
The LEARNS Act includes a maternity leave partnership, assisting districts in supporting teachers during maternity leave, addressing a significant factor for many families.
Teacher Merit Pay Program
The state is implementing a teacher merit pay system to recognize and reward high-performing teachers. Additionally, the act creates opportunities for teachers to become lead teachers and master-designated teachers, mentoring new educators and contributing to the profession.
Focus on Literacy
The LEARNS Act places a strong emphasis on improving literacy rates among students. Recognizing that current literacy levels are below pre-pandemic levels, the state is implementing several initiatives to accelerate learning.
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High-Dosage Tutoring
The state has allocated over \$10 million in competitive grants to school districts to participate in high-dosage tutoring programs, an evidence-based strategy to accelerate student learning.
Parental Empowerment
Parents of students in grades K-3 who need additional literacy support can access \$500 to participate in a tutoring program of their choice, empowering them to take an active role in their child's education.
Instructional Materials and Training
To ensure all children have access to quality literacy instruction, the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) commits to equipping every K-2 classroom with materials aligned to the Science of Reading and providing teachers with curriculum-specific professional development.
Literacy Specialists
The state plans to recruit, train, and onboard at least 120 literacy specialists to provide direct coaching and professional learning to all K-3 teachers in D and F schools.
School Choice and Educational Freedom Accounts
The LEARNS Act introduces Educational Freedom Accounts (EFAs), also known as school vouchers, to empower parents to choose the educational environment that best suits their children's needs.
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Educational Freedom Accounts (EFAs)
These accounts can be used to cover private school tuition, fees, uniforms, and other required expenses. In the first year, participation was limited, with just over 5,000 students participating, many of whom were already part of the Succeed Scholarship Program (now rolled into the EFAs).
Expanding Eligibility
Eligibility for EFAs has expanded to include children of military families, first responders, students in D and F schools, and kindergarteners and first graders.
Ensuring Quality
The state aims to create the right conditions for private schools to participate while holding them accountable for student learning. This ensures that parents have access to high-quality educational options when making informed choices.
Transportation Modernization
The Transportation Modernization Grant Program enhances student access to diverse educational opportunities by addressing transportation barriers that may prevent students from attending schools that best meet their needs.
Early Childhood Education
Recognizing that kindergarten readiness is crucial for future academic success, the LEARNS Act emphasizes early childhood education.
Unified Early Childhood System
The state aims to create a unified early childhood system that ensures children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
Data Collection and Analysis
The ADE plans to collect accurate data on all children served by publicly funded early care and education programs to guide decision-making.
Defining Excellence
The state will establish a single vision for quality early care and education that is tied to kindergarten readiness.
Career Readiness and Durable Skills
The LEARNS Act also focuses on preparing students for the workforce by emphasizing career readiness and durable skills.
Career Readiness Planning
Middle school students will have conversations with teachers and school leaders to develop personalized pathways that align with their interests and career goals.
Durable Skills
The act emphasizes the importance of durable skills, such as showing up on time, working collaboratively, and meeting deadlines, which are essential for success in the workplace.
STEM Education
The LEARNS Act recognizes the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
Implementation and Assessment
The LEARNS Act is still relatively new, but implementation is underway. The Arkansas Department of Education is working with school districts, stakeholders, and educational supporters to codify the law into rule.
Rulemaking
Many of the rules are being finalized, and districts are becoming more comfortable with the expectations of the LEARNS Act.
Early Progress
Early data suggests that the LEARNS Act is already showing benefits and rewards.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its ambitious goals, the LEARNS Act has faced challenges and controversies.
Voucher Program Concerns
The voucher program has been a hot-button topic, with concerns raised about its potential impact on public schools.
Repeal Efforts
Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Students (CAPES) initiated a referendum to repeal the LEARNS Act.
Lawsuits
Phillips County residents and school advocates filed a suit challenging the LEARNS Act, arguing that the emergency clause was not properly voted upon.
Advanced Placement Course Controversy
The Arkansas Department of Education revoked state approval of an Advanced Placement (AP) course on African American studies, raising concerns about academic freedom and indoctrination.
Funding Concerns
Concerns have been raised about funding for extended teacher contracts, teachers funded by federal title funds, and additional teaching positions in growing school districts.
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