The Arkansas LEARNS Act: What Has Changed Since 2023?
Arkansas LEARNS Act: What Has Changed Since 2023?
When Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the LEARNS Act (Senate Bill 294) into law in March 2023, it signaled one of the most significant overhauls of Arkansas’ K-12 public education system in decades. The law was introduced as a comprehensive reform strategy to raise academic performance, expand school choice, and restructure teacher compensation and employment protections.
Now, in the 2025–2026 school year, all provisions of the LEARNS Act are in full effect. Here’s what educators, district leaders, and families should know about how the law has evolved and where it stands today.
Key Components of the Original LEARNS Act
The law includes sweeping reforms across multiple facets of the education system. The intent was to address teacher retention, academic achievement, student choice, and workforce readiness through six foundational elements:
Teacher Salaries and Incentives
- Increased minimum salary for teachers to $50,000.
- Guaranteed $2,000 raises for veteran educators.
- Introduced performance-based bonuses up to $10,000.
Education Freedom Account (EFA) Vouchers
- Created a phased universal voucher system allowing families to use state funds for private or homeschool education.
- Initially limited to low-income students, then expanded to include moderate-income families.
- Full eligibility began in the 2025–2026 school year, meaning all elementary, middle, and high school students in Arkansas can now apply.
Traditional – Charter School Partnerships
- Encouraged public school districts to collaborate with charter schools to offer expanded academic and extracurricular programming.
Repeal of Teacher Fair Dismissal Act
- Removed previous employment protections, giving school districts more discretion in dismissing staff without lengthy appeals or arbitration.
Literacy Standards
- Required earlier interventions and support for students not reading at grade level.
- Funded literacy coaches and tutoring stipends to support targeted instruction.
- Emphasized reading as a foundational skill for long-term academic success.
Career-Ready Pathways
- Required all high schools to offer career and technical education (CTE) tracks, ensuring students graduate with real-world skills or industry-recognized credentials.
What’s Changed Since 2023?
As the LEARNS Act moves from policy to practice, two recent developments have reshaped its implementation:
Voucher Spending Rules Tightened
Initially, EFA funds could be used for a broad range of educational expenses—from tuition and tutoring to extracurricular activities. However, a 2025 legislative update (Senate Bill 625) was introduced after reports revealed that funds were being spent on non-academic activities like horseback lessons and gym memberships.
The rules in the new bill cap voucher spending as follows:
- No more than 25% may be spent on transportation
- No more than 25% may be spent on extracurricular activities, PE, or field trips
- The remaining funds must go toward core academic costs like curriculum, supplies, instruction, and tutoring.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) Provision in Legal Limbo
Section 16 of the LEARNS Act bans what it defines as “prohibited indoctrination,” aligning with Governor Sanders’ executive order to bar the teaching of CRT in public schools. Critics, including the Arkansas NAACP, argue that the language is overly broad and suppresses free speech and access to accurate historical content.
A federal judge issued an injunction in 2024 halting enforcement of this section while litigation continues. The state has appealed the ruling, but as of now, the CRT-related ban remains unenforceable while the case is under review.
Where Implementation Stands Today
The LEARNS Act is being implemented in three phases:
- 2023–2024: Launch of the EFA program for low-income students.
- 2024–2025: Expanded to moderate-income students.
- 2025–2026: Universal eligibility—every K–12 student in Arkansas may apply for an Education Freedom Account.
This year marks the first school year where the LEARNS Act is fully operational. The expanded access has led to a surge in EFA applications, and schools across the state are adjusting to increased mobility between public, private, and homeschool environments.
Looking Ahead
As Arkansas fully embraces the LEARNS model, educators and district leaders will need to continue adapting to its changes, particularly in terms of budget planning, student enrollment shifts, and accountability reporting. With key provisions still under legal review and new data emerging from expanded voucher usage, the impact of the LEARNS Act will continue to evolve.
Whether you’re a district administrator, school leader, or policymaker, understanding the full scope and current status of the LEARNS Act is essential for making informed decisions that best support Arkansas students.
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