Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment: What supporters and critics are saying

Christina Randall
·2 min read

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 would require identical academic and accreditation standards for any school receiving state or local funding.

“It seems like all schools that receive taxpayer funding should have high standards and equal standards and should be transparent,” said Bill Kopsky, director of Arkansas Public Policy Panel.

The measure would also guarantee universal access to Pre-K for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, after-school and summer programming, and assistance to families within 200% of the federal poverty line.

“Arkansas is No.1 in the country for child poverty, and child poverty is the biggest indicator for student performance. We can’t fix our education problem unless we address poverty,” said Kopsky.

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The ballot measure was created in response to the Educational Freedom Account Program created through the LEARNS Act.

“Right now some kids have access to some of the highest quality of schools but a lot of kids don’t,” said Kopsky.

Kopsky says the ballot measure will make sure all children have access to high quality education. Hera Varmah with the American Federation for Children believes the amendment will limit parental choice in education.

“When you start all these rules and regulations on the program what you do is you don’t give parents a lot of options. You make it very hard to apply to the program, “said Varmah.

Varmah says parents should have the ability to choose a school and curriculum that best fits their child. She says passing the ballot measure would take that ability away.

“I find it very sad when this happens. It becomes very political when it really is about children,” said Varmah.

According to Kopsky, for the Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024 to be on the November 2024 ballot, supporters have to collect 90,704 signatures. The signatures have to be turned in by July 5.

Kopsky says people can help gather signatures by signing up. Click here for the sign-up portal.

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