Arkansas LEARNS: Get The Facts!

Here are a few highlights: 

1. Two-thirds of the Education Freedom Account (EFA) participants, in the 2023-2024 school year, are individuals with disabilities, those in foster care, experiencing homelessness, or have previously benefited from the Succeed Scholarship program (a program exclusively for students from vulnerable populations)? (Source: Education Freedom Account Annual Report 2023-2024 School Year)
2. Education Freedom Accounts (EFAs) in Arkansas, for students (public or private) can use the funds for a wide variety of educational expenses beyond private school tuition, including testing, uniforms, supplies and equipment, instructional materials, tutoring services, services for students with disabilities, certain technological devices, and certain transportation costs.
3. LEARNS ACT’s Education Savings Account dollars are available to students choosing to attend private schools, like how public funds are utilized in higher education programs such as Pell Grants, the GI Bill, and in childcare subsidies, which are accepted at private education institutions.
4. The LEARNS Act's initiative is to unify early childhood education programs and expand pre-K access across Arkansas aims to improve coordination, efficiency, and the overall experience for families and providers.
5. The LEARNS Act, mandates students using Education Freedom Account funds to undergo annual testing (e.g., NWEA, Iowa Test of Basic Skills) for accountability, and they risk losing their eligibility if they fail to show educational progress.
6. LEARNS Act’s Transportation Modernization Grant Program, will improve access to transportation for students, support transportation innovations, and specifically allocate at least 25% of transportation grants to support rural and remote public school districts.

Learn more here: https://learns.ade.arkansas.gov/