For AR Kids says they are almost halfway to collecting the amount of signatures they need to put their proposal on the ballot.

It's called the “The Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024.” The proposal comes after the passage of Arkansas LEARNS last year, which allows for public tax money to go to private schools through a voucher program. The amendment would add requirements for private schools accepting tax money. The group says this will equalize education in Arkansas, though they are short on funding.

To get their proposal on the ballot, For AR Kids needs more than 90,000 signatures from over 50 counties, with a deadline of July 5. Group leaders say they will have to collect 1,000 signatures a day for the next 45 days. For AR Kids says they have more than 1,000 volunteers collecting signatures.

Public education ballot group continues signature collection

*Megan Prettyman*
The 11th grade social studies classroom of Megan Prettyman at Little Rock West High School of Innovation.

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

For AR Kids, a ballot question committee supporting changes to Arkansas education policy, says their kick-off for signature gathering is off to a great start.

Appearing on this week’s Capitol View and Talk Business & Politics TV program, leaders of the group said they are confident they will meet the threshold of more than 90,000 signatures to get the “Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024” on the November ballot.

“We had our kickoff last week at the [state] Capitol and even though it’s early on – it’s only been two weeks – we are blaring. I mean, it is crazy how many signatures we have,” said April Reisma, President of the Arkansas Education Association and Vice-president of the For AR Kids coalition.

Supporters of education amendment say signature gathering strong, cost estimates forthcoming