Three years of Arkansas LEARNS; Education chief says law has reshaped schools

March 10, 2026 - 09:40

Three years after its signing, the Arkansas LEARNS Act is credited by state officials with fundamentally reshaping public education. The comprehensive law, a signature initiative of Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, has prioritized school choice, teacher pay, and literacy in its bid to overhaul the system.

State Education Secretary Jacob Oliva declared the act a transformative success, stating it has "completely reshaped" Arkansas schools. A central pillar has been the dramatic expansion of educational options for families. The law's Education Freedom Account program, a universal voucher-style system, now allows thousands of students to use state funds for private school, homeschool, or other educational expenses.

Beyond school choice, officials point to the act's mandate for a minimum $50,000 teacher salary as a key achievement, aimed at attracting and retaining educators. Another major focus has been early literacy, with new requirements and intensive support for students reading below grade level by the third grade.

While supporters celebrate increased parental choice and invested resources, the law remains a point of contention. Critics, including some educators and school districts, express concerns about the long-term fiscal impact on traditional public schools and the implementation of its vast provisions. As the third year concludes, the debate continues over the act's full legacy, even as state leaders assert it has set Arkansas on a new educational course.