State education secretary visits DMEC to speak with teachers about new ‘LEARNS Act’

By Patrick Massey

GILLHAM - 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 DeQueen-Mena Educational Cooperative on March 29 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 Sanders held with educators across the state during her bid for the governor’s office.

“Making reforming education in the state of Arkansas a prior- ity was something she truly embraced,” Oliva said. “Out on the trail for about two years, she met with educators, parents, principals, business executives to get some ideas and listen from them on what are some best effective strategies. Through those conversations the ‘LEARNS Act’ was born.”

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 3% cap on school choice transfers unless a desegregation order.

“Part of these additional opportunities,” Oliva said, “is ensuring they are held accountable to educational standards.

“The reality that a one-size fitsall approach meets the needs of all families isn’t real. The LEARNS bill empowers parents to have additional options available to them. One thing we want to make sure is clear, is that choices need to be of value. We’re going through the rules-making process to determine how we’re going to hold homeschooling and private schools accountable to make sure their children are learning as we expect them to learn.”

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.

“School district funding is not impacted at all by the LEARNS bill,” Oliva said. “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.

“A teacher is not there to impart their own personal bias or belief,” Oliva said. “It’s not the role of a teacher. We want to teach students how to think, not what to think.”

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 in 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/ .