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Arkansas AG rejects proposed education constitutional amendment for 2026 ballot
This story was updated at 11:45 a.m. on Aug. 30, 2024 to include additional comments from the attorney general’s office. Arkansas’ attorney general on Thursday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would require identical standards for public and private schools that receive state funding. In his six-page opinion, Attorney General Tim Griffin said he could […]
Biden’s newest student loan repayment plan temporarily blocked by Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday slashed the Biden administration’s latest efforts to provide student debt relief to millions of borrowers to go forward while the appeals process unfolds. The Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan provided lower monthly loan payments for borrowers and lessened the time it takes to pay off […]
U.S. Education Department outlines testing period for phased rollout of new FAFSA form
WASHINGTON — With the U.S. Department of Education using a staggered approach in opening up the 2025-26 application period for federal financial student aid, the agency said Tuesday it will partner with a small number of community-based organizations to participate in the first testing period beginning Oct. 1. Earlier in August, the department said it […]
Arkansas lawmakers approve ADE request to identify professional development providers
State lawmakers on Friday approved a request from the Arkansas Department of Education to seek proposals from vendors to provide professional development programs to school districts. State law requires $16.5 million be provided for professional development activities and the implementation of professional learning communities. Education department staff told the Arkansas Legislative Council Friday morning that […]
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission promotes conservation education in schools
With more than $680,000 in grant funding available this year for Arkansas schools and the launch of a volunteer program to help students complete new graduation requirements, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has brightened its spotlight on conservation education. Both efforts help to build long-term support for conservation, which is one of the parameters […]
Arkansas teacher pay increase closed rural funding gaps, study says
This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. Sign up for free newsletters from The 74 to get more like this in your inbox. Fueled by federal pandemic funds and an ultra-tight labor market, teacher pay in the United States has climbed steadily over the last few years. According to […]
Panel OKs $7 million for Arkansas school districts to lock up students’ phones during class time
Public school districts across Arkansas are expected to be able to lock up students’ cell phones during school hours, with the state Department of Education distributing $7 million to pay for pouches or lockers. The Arkansas Legislative Council will take up the restricted reserve fund request Friday after the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review subcommittee […]
Heads of Arkansas private schools participating in state voucher program cite aid to families
As Arkansas students head back to the classroom this month, around 12,000 will be attending one of more than 120 private schools that have been approved for the second year of the state’s school voucher program. Created by the LEARNS Act, a 2023 law that overhauled Arkansas’ education system, the Educational Freedom Account Program allows […]
Judge rejects motion to dismiss Arkansas school voucher lawsuit
A judge on Monday denied the Arkansas attorney general’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s new school voucher program. Parents and guardians of public school children filed a lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court in June asking a judge to block enforcement of the new Educational Freedom Account Program, which […]
U.S. Education Department to gradually roll out new FAFSA form by Dec. 1
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education said Wednesday it will use a phased rollout to launch the 2025-26 form to apply for federal financial student aid, which will make the application fully available two months later than usual. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid — better known as FAFSA — will be available […]
Arkansas teachers feel financial burden of back-to-school season, regardless of raises
As Arkansas educators prepare their classrooms for students’ return this month, many will spend hundreds of dollars on materials that supplement supplies parents purchase for their children. The Arkansas LEARNS Act, a major education overhaul championed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, raised the base pay for teachers to $50,000. But teachers say the pay increase […]
Much-attacked final Title IX rule goes into effect while still blocked in 26 states
WASHINGTON — Though the Biden administration’s final rule for Title IX extending federal protections for LGBTQ students went into effect nationwide Thursday, a slew of legal challenges has temporarily blocked over half of all states from enforcing the updated regulations. After the Department of Education released the final rule in April, 26 states — all […]