State education secretary visits Gillham to discuss LEARNS Act

Submitted by Patrick Massey of KDQN

State education officials are touring Arkansas to share more information with educators on the recently passed LEARNS Act.

The education bill, championed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders and signed into law earlier this month, includes the most sweeping changes to education in Arkansas in decades. From a statewide voucher program to teacher salary increases and literacy funding, the LEARNS Act introduces a number of changes to how education is offered to Arkansas families.

The state’s new education secretary, Jacob Oliva, visited the De Queen-Mena Educational Cooperative in Gillham on March 29th to discuss the new law and how it would impact educators in the public school system. Oliva said the comprehensive plan was crafted based on discussions Gov. Sanders held with educators across the state during her bid for the governor’s office.

Through its voucher program, Oliva said the LEARNS Act seeks to provide lower and middle income families with educational choices outside of the public school system by offering resources that open up private and homeschool opportunities. The legislation also removes the three percent cap on school choice transfers unless a desegregation order.

One of the most highlighted aspects of the LEARNS Act is the huge increase in starting pay for Arkansas teachers – from the previous starting rate of $36,000 per year to $50,000 under the new law. Veteran teachers already earning more than $50,000 will be eligible for a one-time $2,000 raise. The LEARNS Act states these raises will be covered by state funds.

Oliva said these salaries are meant to recruit quality educators into the field. Oliva said quote “School district funding is not impacted at all by the LEARNS bill. “All of the dollars to implement the initiatives in the LEARNS bill is coming from a different category in the state budget.”

Other aims of the LEARNS Act include more resources for literacy improvements, including through the use of reading coaches across the state. Reforms to early learning are also implemented through the act.

The LEARNS Act also prohibits the use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other similar controversial topics as required educational topics in the classroom.

The LEARNS Act has faced heated criticism from many educators and families across the state. Its widespread changes are set to impact the education of every student in Arkansas. Criticisms have focused on part of the brief period of debate for the bill’s passing in the state house and senate. Opponents also question the voucher program and raise concern that home and private schools are not held as accountable for the education they provide as are public schools.

The 145-page law by searching for the LEARNS Act on the Arkansas State Legislature’s website at www.arkleg.state.ar.us.