Arkansas’ Education Reform Gains Attention
As debates heat up over education policies in red states, Arkansas’ Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders is promoting the state’s accomplishments as a potential model for others. She emphasizes how the LEARNS Act, passed in 2023, is making a significant difference for students.
“We’re really excited about how many Arkansas students are improving since the LEARNS Act came into play,” Sanders mentioned. She pointed to this legislative change as a “major step forward” for education in the state.
The LEARNS Act brought several notable changes, such as increasing the minimum salary for teachers from $36,000 to $50,000. It also introduced performance-based bonuses for teachers, enhanced literacy support, funded initiatives for school safety, and prohibited topics like critical race theory and gender identity discussions in classrooms.
According to the governor’s office, there’s been an impressive increase—over 7%—in student proficiency scores across all grades under these reforms. Since 2024, the rise has been noted at more than 5% and continues to trend upwards.
Sanders is proud of these advancements. “We want our kids to succeed,” she said. “Their growth is what matters.” Notably, by 2026, 42.2% of students are expected to meet proficiency standards, a significant improvement from the previous year’s 36.9%. In math, proficiency surged from 36.4% to 44.2%, while science scores climbed from 35.6% to 44.0%. In English, the increase was from 33.8% to 44.2%.
However, a closer inspection shows a decline in performance among the lowest-performing students, dropping from 27.3% to 23.1% across all subjects. There is a silver lining, though: third graders have also seen progress in reading, from 36% proficiency in 2024 to 43% in 2026.
Students from kindergarten to second grade, the first cohort affected by these reforms, are showing promising results, with the majority achieving above 50% proficiency in nearly all subjects.
Sanders highlighted the need for a thorough and coordinated approach to education improvements. “It’s not just one factor; it’s a multifaceted process that truly redefines how we educate,” she explained. “Every child has the potential to learn when provided with the right environment and tools.”
Amid potential backlash, Sanders noted that her goal is for red and blue states alike to look at Arkansas as a model. “It’s not about partisan lines; it’s simply about ensuring kids can thrive,” she emphasized.
Looking ahead, Sanders expressed hope that the LEARNS Act will influence education reforms nationwide. She believes raising standards and supplying necessary resources will fundamentally change educational culture for the better.
Jacob Oliva, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education, affirmed the impact of the LEARNS Act, describing it as both innovative and essential. “These scores reflect the effectiveness of listening to the frontline voices in education,” he stated, underscoring that the plan is indeed working for Arkansas students.
