State Capitol Week in Review
September 25, 2026
Arkansas Releases 2025–2026 School and District Grades, Showing Statewide Improvement
The Arkansas Department of Education has released the 2025–2026 letter grades for schools and districts across the state, marking the second year that districts have received overall ratings. The new results show broad improvement in academic performance, with many communities seeing higher scores than in previous years.
Arkansas began using a redesigned accountability system three years ago to set clearer expectations for academic excellence. The model places emphasis on Achievement, Growth, and Readiness, aiming to ensure students are prepared for future education or career paths. State officials say this year’s grades align with earlier ATLAS assessment results, which also showed gains in student learning.
Letter grades are intended to give families and communities a straightforward picture of how their schools are performing. Because district grades are still relatively new, state leaders view them as an additional tool for identifying areas that need support. Several districts that received failing grades last year improved enough to move out of the lowest category, reflecting stronger performance in multiple areas.
Statewide data shows fewer schools receiving D or F ratings compared with the previous year. Officials attribute part of this progress to initiatives launched under the LEARNS law, including literacy coaches, individualized reading and math plans, and expanded tutoring programs. These efforts are designed to help schools address learning gaps and maintain steady improvement over time.
District grades also improved. Twenty‑three more districts earned an A or B this year, while twelve fewer districts received a D or F. According to the Department of Education, the distribution of grades for 2025–2026 is as follows:
- A: 26 districts
- B: 114–115 districts
- C: 87–88 districts
- D: 17 districts
- F: 9 districts
The slight variation in the B and C counts reflects rounding in the percentage calculations provided by the department.
To make performance information easier for families to understand, the state updated its school and district report cards in 2025. The online report cards include color‑coded ratings, explanations of how scores are calculated, and short videos that help parents interpret the data. All school and district grades can be viewed on the state’s public information portal, myschoolinfo.arkansas.gov.
The accountability system is designed to track how well schools support students in core subjects, how much academic growth students show from year to year, and how prepared they are for future learning. The Department of Education says it will continue refining the system and providing targeted support to districts that need additional help.
Overall, the new grades indicate that more Arkansas schools are improving than declining. State officials say they plan to build on this momentum by continuing to invest in instructional support, data transparency, and resources that help students succeed.