17. Opinion (State, National, or International Issue)

LEARNS Act & Back to School: September 2024

Image is Link to Original Story

    The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette featured an op-ed titled “SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS: Back to School,” written by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, discussing the Arkansas LEARNS initiative this back-to-school season. Some of the op-ed was left out; full article in link.

    "While the heat may still linger like mid-summer, the signs of fall are unmistakable: school buses are on the roads, football practices are in full swing, and parents are bustling through Walmart picking up school supplies. In the Sanders household, our children are preparing to start seventh, fifth, and third grades. The swimsuits and camping gear have been tucked away as we dust off backpacks and sports equipment. 

    This back-to-school season in Arkansas promises to be notably different. When I signed the Arkansas LEARNS legislation, I anticipated it would bring about a significant transformation in our schools. Our education system has struggled at the bottom of national rankings for years, and I was determined to change that.

    Many provisions of the new law took effect almost immediately. We raised starting teacher salaries from $36,000 to $50,000, propelling Arkansas from 48th to the top five nationally in teacher pay overnight. Every teacher received at least a $2,000 raise. We also hired over 120 literacy coaches, positively impacting 45,000 public school students last year. This academic year, more than 10,000 students will utilize Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) to choose schools that cater to their needs, with nearly half of these students having a disability...

    As our kids head back to school this fall, many familiar traditions will continue, including the rhythms of Friday Night Lights, homecoming dances, and parent-teacher conferences."

- Sarah Huckabee Sanders